Renovate or buy new? How to decide on your next home

Out with the old and in with the new? The journey to finding your perfect home usually starts with this very common debate, and it’s a decision that involves far more than just the age of the property you buy.  

In this blog, we take a closer look at the reality of renovating an older home versus the perks of moving into a brand-new home and we break down all the facts you need so you can choose the option that feels right for your situation.  

Many buyers are drawn to older homes because they like the idea of shaping a property around their own preferences. But while you might start out with a vision for a custom kitchen or a more open plan layout, many people find that the actual process of renovating is far more complicated and takes much longer than they ever expected.

Older homes are built around fixed layouts and construction methods that reflect how people lived decades ago. You’ll often find that solid internal walls, fixed plumbing routes, and existing structural features can limit what you are able to change and altering them can increase costs or extend timescales.

It’s also important to remember that the most expensive fixes in an older property are often the ones you can’t see, meaning you could spend thousands on getting the basics functional before you even touch the decor. In fact, research from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Octopus Energy shows that bringing an older property up to the same energy efficiency standards as a new build can cost between £23,100 and £83,000. 

A new home, in contrast, offers you a much easier starting point. Since the heating, plumbing, insulation and wiring are all brand new and meet the latest modern standards, you won’t be dealing with sudden repairs or high bills as soon as you get the keys. This means you can move in without a massive list of DIY projects or a rotation of plumbers and electricians taking up your weekends.  

Another great benefit of buying a new home is the flexibility you get while the new home is being built. At Gleeson Homes, we let you pick out specific finishes and extras before your home is built, meaning you get a home that is tailored to you without the headache of having to manage a renovation project yourself.

Plus, new homes are built to strict modern regulations, using high-quality insulation and modern heating systems, which makes a huge difference to your daily comfort. For you, that translates to lower monthly bills and a much more consistent temperature throughout the year. The latest research from the HBF and Octopus Energy found that new build homeowners can save about £420 per year compared to those living in an older property. 

Renovating an older home can certainly be a way to get into a specific location, but you really have to be prepared for a long-term project that requires a lot of patience and a budget for unexpected costs.  

A new build, however, gives you a clear price and a finished home that you can start using and enjoying immediately. You get all the benefits of modern design and lower running costs, along with a much more predictable experience from start to finish. For many people, the convenience of a move-in ready home is exactly what they are looking for.