Get matched with top modular and mobile home remodelers in Orofino, ID

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.

Renovating just before a move is worth it in cases of severe damage or decay—or if you're actually just making home improvements to flip and sell a property. If your home is in otherwise good condition, don't burden yourself with additional tasks when you're already busy packing. And if something needs to be fixed, try to plan to do it at least a few months before your big move.

Just like the rest of your roof, a dormer will last as long as the life span of the materials used in construction. Slate, clay, and concrete roofing can last for over a century, whereas more standard roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, last closer to 30 years. The structure of the dormer itself, however, should last the roof's lifetime when properly maintained. Only the window, insulation, and eaves may require repairs over time.

The least expensive way to convert a garage to a living space is to perform as much of the work yourself as possible, using materials you can acquire at discount prices, and avoiding making structural changes to the building. While you can’t control what type of garage already exists on your property, converting a detached garage to living space will cost 20% to 30% more, so going with an attached garage conversion will save quite a bit.