Extensive Home Construction Remodeling Decisions

DEAR JOHN: Bob and I just got marries an we bought a 700 square foot summer house that needs extensive renovation for a good price. The home needs roofing repairs, new floors, sheetrock repairs, kitchen cabinets, bathroom ceramic repair plus plenty of other cosmetic work. Because of the bad roof, water damage has caused the sheetrock to stain and I'm afraid to look behind the walls. The foundation is made of rocks in places and doesn't look very solid. Should we remodel or should we rebuild? I wonder if we bit off more than we should on this project. Barbara B., Nashua, NH

DEAR BARBARA: Every situation is different and a lot depends on you long range goals. Are you looking to trade up in the future or just stay put as your family grows. Most important is are you going to do the work yourself or are you looking to hire contractors?

If you do the work yourselfves remodeling may be much less expensive and hiring outside contractors to remodel. It might be less expensive to put the existing house in a dumpster, have masons construct a new foundation and put a modular in place than have outside constractors do the remodeling work.

A 3-foot footing is normal in most areas, however a deeper footing is preferable in colder regions. If you put on a second story or plann a basement, you'll need good footings and block work. Undermining your existing home footings is expensive not everyone wants to do that type of work.

Summer homes typically do not have insulation or are poorly insulated. Since it is an older home, the windows and doors probably are drafty and the house may be expensive to heat. Figuring total remodeling cost, roofing, kitchen and bath may prove more expensive than rebuilding the home from scratch. Compare prices for stick built and modular homes for your lot.

All in all you would be happier in a new home if you can afford it and justify the expense.