New build vs. renovation?

[Rob Tucker]

There is an old shack across the street from the Cash & Carry which is under "renovation". The owner assumed that keeping the shell and renovating was a good economic decision. Talking to her recently she seems to have changed her mind on that. She is finding the reno to be much more expensive than just removing the shack and building new.

I already knew that.

Selective demolition is time consuming and once you start tearing out bad stuff it's hard to find the best place to stop. Especially in termite riddled structures. So the best wishes and estimates end up in the trash.

It's like John says above. No one can tell what a reno will ultimately cost. Renovations are best left to those with the skills, time and tools or to those with deep wallets.