Here at Jerry L. Johnson & Associates, we specialize in providing unmatched general contracting services for a variety of industries. Some of our primary services are building renovations and new construction projects. For many business owners, the issue of renovation vs. new construction can make for a difficult decision. It’s important to understand the pros and cons of each method in order to decide what’s right for you and your business. Consider the following points:
Cost
The cost is often one of the primary driving forces behind the decision. If your building or facility needs small to moderate changes or updates, a renovation is likely going to be much cheaper. However, you must consider the long-term. Are there going to be more updates in the future? Is the HVAC system going to need to be replaced in the next few years? If you have many outdated systems or other changes planned in the future, new construction might be more practical.
Time
Construction and renovation projects should never be rushed, however, the often have time constraints. Renovations are almost always the speediest solution, especially if the changes you need are aesthetic or minor to moderate. With this in mind, it’s important to keep in mind the sustainability of your changes. If your building requires significant changes, it may be better to take more time and choose new construction.
Purpose
It’s not uncommon for planned renovations to involve more than simple cosmetic changes. If you need your facility to serve a purpose that it wasn’t originally intended to serve, renovations can very quickly become more trouble than they’re worth. Completely repurposing a building or a section of a building often requires structural changes or reinforcement, updated HVAC or sewage systems, and more.
In the end, neither method is necessarily better than the other. The important thing is that you and your business choose what makes the most sense for your business.