Replacement vs. Reconstruction

Replacement vs. Reconstruction. Our house is special to us, right? We should make each decision regarding our homes with care and knowledge. Questions like whether to reconstruct or replace the house are very complex. One should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each aspect. Similarly, their estimated cost should also be considered.

In this article, we will discuss replacement and reconstruction separately for your better understanding of the subject. 

Replacing a House

Replacing as a verb simply means taking the place of. It can also mean putting something back in a previous place or position.

But what is replacing a house? We can use replacement as a term in a multitude of ways in construction.

Replacing a house means that you exchange your apartment or building with a similar-looking one.

The new house may have the same number of rooms, same building material, similar locality, or other characteristics that connect you to the previous one.

Further, replacement does not always refer to a whole house collectively. For example, if the doorknob is not working well, you replace it with the new one rather than removing the entire door and getting a new one. Renovating as well as refurbishing the house is also part of the replacement. When we renovate our house, we replace the old or damaged furniture with new pieces. During the refurbishment, we repair damaged material.

Due to the development and enhancement of technology, now it is possible to lift an entire house and carry it to another place. You can, in literal terms, replace an entire house by placing it somewhere else and installing a new house in the same location.

Why replace?

When you have a product delivered, you can get it replaced if it is already damaged or broken. This ensures that you get a new product that is up to standard. The situation is similar to house replacement. Mostly home replacements are for better and more improved results.

Replacement is not always for a new and improved version. Sometimes we replace a house or the furniture just to be able to experience a major change. For example, we might replace our dining table with a new one simply because we are bored. Also, this ensures that our house is up-to-date and modern. We can even sell our house and look for a new one just to break the monotony of our life.

Furthermore, replacing is much more sustainable compared to construction. There is less of a carbon footprint in repair and refurbishment. This includes reusing materials from one project in another. When we reuse, we save 95% of the embodied carbon emission associated with purchasing new material.

Even during renovation, such as the repainting of walls, we can use water-based paints in place of solvent-based ones. The former has less of a carbon footprint compared to the latter.

Replacement Cost

When we look for a new house, we need the money to buy it.

The replacement cost includes the price to replace or construct an entire building with equal quality and construction.

This does not include demolition, debris removal, site improvement fees, material costs, or other costs associated with construction.

The replacement cost also includes the repurposing of currently available buildings, layouts, or projects.

Reconstruction of a house

Simply demolishing an old house and constructing a new house in its place is known as the reconstruction of a property.

Reconstruction is a term that is related to many other terms, such as construction or remodeling. So, let’s compare these terms and understand the meaning of reconstruction. 

Construction vs. Reconstruction

These are two different words. Construction is the process of making or constructing, as in the construction of a new building. However, reconstruction means restoring a thing to an earlier state.

For example, the reconstruction of an old bridge.

To construct means to build something and reconstruction is to build it again. If the house is destroyed by fire, earthquake, or even flood, reconstruction of the house is carried out.

Remodeling vs. Reconstruction

Reconstruction can sometimes be confused with remodeling.

Remodeling includes changing the structure, shape, or appearance of something. This can take place by changing the design and layout of the kitchen by introducing new pipes, cabinets, fixtures, LEDs, etc., whereas reconstruction means the construction with a similar or new layout or design of the entire house altogether from the beginning.

How long does reconstruction take?

The duration of reconstruction depends on the size of the project. Furthermore, the availability of labor, the construction company, the tools, and the machines used also can affect the reconstruction time.

Generally, a small house can take around 7 to 10 months for complete reconstruction if everything is functioning smoothly.

For larger projects, it will take around 9-15 months for completion.

Other factors such as weather, funding, governmental laws, or other external factors can affect the duration. 

Reconstruction Cost

This is the cost of replicating the building with similar construction material, layout, or design. Unlike replacement cost, this includes additional charges such as debris removal, demolition, repair and restoration, contractor fees, and all expenses associated with construction. This creates a final expense higher than new construction.

Replacement or Reconstruction?

By now, we have touched on many aspects of replacement as well as reconstruction. We noted that the reconstruction cost will be greater as it incorporates all the expenses of the construction process.

Additionally, if we have to choose between the two based on sustainability, replacement is better.

As construction building materials such as cement and bricks have higher carbon imprints, they will cause more pollution. Contrarily, reconstruction provides a whole new building with all new materials.

In conclusion, we can say that both have their pros and cons. When opting for one, you should consider your needs and budget and then choose the best for you accordingly.