Is it more affordable to gut a house than build a new home?

• <div><p>Whether it’s more affordable to gut a house than build a new one depends on the markets where you'd be buying and selling. However, it’s usually less expensive to renovate a home than to build new construction. </p><p>Most homeowners pay between <b>$100,000 and $200,000</b> for demolition and remodeling costs, whereas the average <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-build-house.htm">cost to build a new home</a> is between <b>$139,000 and $531,300</b>. </p></div>

Which raising basement ceiling option is best for you?

• <div><p>If you’re not sure which method of raising the ceiling is best for you, here are a couple of considerations to help you make that decision. <a href="https://www.angi.com/nearme/ceiling-companies/">A professional ceiling company</a> will be able to help you determine the best option for your home.</p><ul><li><p>How long you are planning to live there: although raising the basement ceiling will increase the value of your home, if you’re planning to sell the house, then go for raising the house.</p></li><li><p>The condition of the foundation: to lower the floors, your foundation has to be intact whereas raising the house will allow you to restore the damaged foundation.</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Can you make your basement deeper?

• <div><p>If you don’t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less—between <b>$40,000 and $90,000</b> on average. However, if you’re not adding new finished square footage, you won’t see much in the way of ROI.</p></div>

Get matched with top basement remodelers in Honokaa, HI

Q: Can you turn a regular basement into a walkout basement?

• <div><p>Yes, it is possible to turn a regular basement into a walkout basement. Doing so involves excavating the land around at least one side of your <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/basement-foundation.htm">basement foundation</a>, installing retaining walls to create a permanent below-grade area outside your home, and then cutting into the foundation to install an exterior door that leads out to the new space. This is an expensive and time-consuming project, but it can add a lot of value and utility to your home.</p></div>

Q: Is it more affordable to gut a house than build a new home?

• <div><p>Whether it&rsquo;s more affordable to gut a house than build a new one depends on the markets where you'd be buying and selling. However, it&rsquo;s usually less expensive to renovate a home than to build new construction. </p><p>Most homeowners pay between <b>$100,000 and $200,000</b> for demolition and remodeling costs, whereas the average <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-build-house.htm">cost to build a new home</a> is between <b>$139,000 and $531,300</b>. </p></div>

Q: Which raising basement ceiling option is best for you?

• <div><p>If you&rsquo;re not sure which method of raising the ceiling is best for you, here are a couple of considerations to help you make that decision. <a href="https://www.angi.com/nearme/ceiling-companies/">A professional ceiling company</a> will be able to help you determine the best option for your home.</p><ul><li><p>How long you are planning to live there: although raising the basement ceiling will increase the value of your home, if you&rsquo;re planning to sell the house, then go for raising the house.</p></li><li><p>The condition of the foundation: to lower the floors, your foundation has to be intact whereas raising the house will allow you to restore the damaged foundation.</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Q: Why do some old houses have a toilet in the basement?

• <div><p>Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.</p><p>Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.</p></div>

Q: Can you make your basement deeper?

• <div><p>If you don&rsquo;t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less&mdash;between <b>$40,000 and $90,000</b> on average. However, if you&rsquo;re not adding new finished square footage, you won&rsquo;t see much in the way of ROI.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Basement Remodel pros in Honokaa, HI

*The Angi rating for Basement Remodel companies in Honokaa, HI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Basement Remodel needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Basement Remodel companies in Honokaa, HI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Basement Remodel needs.

Last update on September 27, 2025

Reviewed in September 2025
Hired to mow mac not orchard, remove 3 dying trees, and trim dead branches on everything visible. Most of the slash was power mulched and spread out, simply disappeared. Larger stuff removed. On time, efficient, and all within estimated cost, no surprises. Highly recommended.
Big Island Yard Works
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Reviewed in March 2024
Courtney and Kai are both so friendly and helpful. They embody the meaning of Aloha. I recommend them highly!
Pohaku Appliance Repair
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Reviewed in November 2023
Reed was a pleasure to work with. On time and on budget. Good with communication and kept me informed on the status of the project. Works well independently. Great job!!!
R&L Hauling LLC
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Reviewed in September 2023
Excellent service and communication. They provided us with a fair estimate and did the work in a timely manner. Having people work inside your home for two weeks is not easy but Sean and crew were such a blessing, respectful, and provided us with a remodeled bathroom, new floors in our...
Moss Delete Hawaii
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Reviewed in May 2023
pacific tech cleaned up the area more than we agreed to which was a pleasant surprise! The owner is a man with a great sense of humor which made the whole experience great. Did a good job within the price guidelines we had discussed.
Pacific Tech Tree Experts, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2023
The work was good and I was very satisfied. They were nice, friendly, and very professional.
Lemon Cleaners LLC
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Reviewed in November 2022
Truly they were wonderful to work with and they did a beautiful job...every cut was precise! Quick and efficient!
Empire Today - Los Angeles
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Reviewed in June 2021
Great response time. Great customer service. Happy with the price.
D & K Plumbing Enterprises, LLC
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Reviewed in December 2020
They were professional and got the work done in a timely manner.
Emerald Builders, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2020
Very professional, quality work, & at a good price.
A Clean View, LLC
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Find Basement remodelers in Honokaa

Serving Honokaa, HI and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Good, quality work, but the workers do not speak english well. You need to watch and pay attention to make sure instructions were relayed correctly."

+14

Response time2 days

Response rate98%

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Honokaa, HI and surrounding areas

In business since 2006

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"Amanda was really very good! At first I was very skeptical, thinking why did I pay money to just speak with someone on the phone about my kitchen remodel project... but after just a few minutes of her addressing some of the issues/questions I emailed to her earlier, I knew it was worth it. It was very clear that she knew her business and she gave me several ideas that I had not even thought about. I told her that I would definitely recommend her to friends and I will very likely use her again myself for my next home project!

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Recommended by54%of homeowners

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Highly Skilled Help, LLC

New to Angi

Basement - Remodel

Serving Honokaa, HI and surrounding areas

In business since 2004

Free estimates

Highly Skilled Help has been fixing up and beautifying the west side of the Big Island for years. With over 20 plus years of experience, licensed, and insured, assures you that you are getting the best man for your project. Call us today, and we�ll be right over. Mahalo!

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Omega Construction of Kona, Inc.

New to Angi

Basement - Remodel

Serving Honokaa, HI and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

At Omega, we are the total package. We provide a complete features including flexible plans, site preparation, materials, general contracting, outstanding interior options, and project management!

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Basement Remodel questions, answered by experts

Yes, it is possible to turn a regular basement into a walkout basement. Doing so involves excavating the land around at least one side of your basement foundation, installing retaining walls to create a permanent below-grade area outside your home, and then cutting into the foundation to install an exterior door that leads out to the new space. This is an expensive and time-consuming project, but it can add a lot of value and utility to your home.

Whether it’s more affordable to gut a house than build a new one depends on the markets where you'd be buying and selling. However, it’s usually less expensive to renovate a home than to build new construction.

Most homeowners pay between $100,000 and $200,000 for demolition and remodeling costs, whereas the average cost to build a new home is between $139,000 and $531,300.

If you’re not sure which method of raising the ceiling is best for you, here are a couple of considerations to help you make that decision. A professional ceiling company will be able to help you determine the best option for your home.

How long you are planning to live there: although raising the basement ceiling will increase the value of your home, if you’re planning to sell the house, then go for raising the house.
The condition of the foundation: to lower the floors, your foundation has to be intact whereas raising the house will allow you to restore the damaged foundation.

Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.

Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.

If you don’t have a crawl space but have a partial basement you want to make deeper, you can expect to spend a little less—between $40,000 and $90,000 on average. However, if you’re not adding new finished square footage, you won’t see much in the way of ROI.

The Honokaa, HI homeowners’ guide to basement remodels

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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