You know where you want your new home to be. Maybe you’ve narrowed it down to a coastal neighborhood that has everything you want: atmosphere, views, proximity to schools/work, and access to the water. But there’s a catch: There are no empty lots.
You could compromise and build your dream home elsewhere. But have you considered buying an existing home and tearing it down to make space for your vision?
Before you think that this would be a time-intensive, costly process that isn’t worth the hassle and the waiting, consider this: Tearing down a home is not as intimidating nor as unusual as you may think. It also may be relatively inexpensive, making this an affordable way to get the home you want, where you want it.
How do I find a tear-down home?
Often, a tear-down candidate is a home that isn’t up to the standards of an otherwise attractive neighborhood. It may have structural issues and be smaller than nearby homes. For these reasons, as well as the cost of repairs, the candidate is difficult to sell, making it cheaper to buy than others in the neighborhood.
The tear-down should also be able to make way for a new house that is valued at two to three times the value of the former structure.
Real estate agents who specialize in tear-downs can be a tremendous asset in finding suitable candidates. As you narrow down your list, talk to your home builder for their advice.
How much does it cost to tear down a home?
The cost to tear down a house depends on a few factors, its size being among the most prominent. Right now, the average cost is $10k-$15k. Even if you’re demolishing a larger home, the overall cost may be worth it so that you can build on the ideal site. Plus, the utilities are already at the property. So, it can offset some of the costs of the demolition. With a new lot that has never been built on before, you would have the expense of bringing in all new utilities.
What type of permits will I need to tear down a house?
First, work with your home builder once you’ve identified a house to buy, remove, and replace. This will help ensure that the house you envision will come out exactly as you want it.
Once you’re confident that this is the site for your new home, you’ll need to work with a licensed demolition contractor. They should know all the requirements that need to be followed in your jurisdiction. That contractor will help you with all the necessary permitting and planning you need during the tear-down process. The professionals you hire should be experts at:
- Site preparation. This lets workers and other site visitors know whether it’s safe or not to walk in certain areas. This can also include the professional removal of dangerous materials like asbestos before the demolition begins.
- Obtaining Permits: These include local permits for:
- The demolition process. This gives you the legal right to demolish the structure.
- Plumbing permit.
- Utilities. This includes requirements for disconnecting gas, electric, and water and sewer service. In the case of a septic tank, you will likely need a decommissioning permit.
- Removal of hazardous materials. For older homes, this often applies to the removal of asbestos. There are licensed professionals that handle this process.
- Tree preservation information.
Because you will be building on the lot, you may need to get soil testing done to see whether the soil will need to be replaced and compacted so that it is ready for the foundation.
We can give you our recommendations for soil testing companies and demolition companies so you can take care of it on your own. Or, we can take care of all of that work for you.
Create your custom home with LaBram Homes
As you explore your options for creating your new home, work with the team at LaBram Homes. We have the experience to guide you on a process that can seem overwhelming to first-timers.
From helping our clients choose the perfect lot to thoughtfully customizing every detail of their home and answering all of the questions along the way, we are happy to be of service.
You are about to make an investment that deserves a professional level of attention to detail and quality: We can help you identify the ideal site and guide you step by step through the process, from the design of the elements that make a home unique to the overall construction. Contact LaBram Homes to begin the home-building process Contact Us today!
