The Revival of Remove and Restore

Once a common trend during the late 2000s, buying houses for removal was a cheap option for first-home owners to get into the housing market. These days though, having lost its romance to practicalities such as stringent new laws on quality control and occupiers’ health hazards, many people have gone right off the idea altogether, finding purchasing new homes or smaller dwellings a better use of resources.

And now we’ve come full-circle, and gorgeous old homes are being saved from being lost forever.

Removing and restoring buildings for removal is enjoying a resurgence of popularity. As land in our cities becomes scarcer and more valuable, houses are being removed from larger plots of land and sold off cheaply to make way for multi-level apartments. You only have to look around at removal specialists’ yards to see a growing number of old homes sitting waiting for those who have the time, space and enthusiasm to embark on an exciting new project.

Small character cottages are so charming…but what’s behind those walls? Get an expert opinion-call Pzazz for a builder’s report before you even consider entering into any financial commitments. Black mould is not one of the character features you want to include in your new dwelling. 

Our designers will plan every nook and cranny with your lifestyle in mind, to transform this sweet little cottage into a workable, updated haven that works perfectly for you.

The romance of a character home is not lost on anyone, but the reality of a smooth transition from a time worn, transfer-damaged structure to a warm, safe home is more challenging than most of us imagine. Although this used to be an inexpensive option, it can be every bit as costly as building from scratch and may even see you spending the rest of your time in it attempting to rectify a growing list of problems you never even thought of, if you don’t know.

If you’re looking to reposition an old house, taking the precaution of getting a builder’s renovation report and quote from Pzazz Building is the smart way to approach such a big project.

Our near neighbours bit off more than they could chew when they moved a double gable villa from a large property in Auckland’s upmarket Parnell, only to find it riddled with black mould and impossible to save. This lovely structure was left for years to fall into ruins, then finally a demolition company put it and everyone around it out of its misery.

Slide the arrow to see the After image:

Some less problematic structures for removal are old army barracks, wooden churches, school or community halls. Because they’re generally built from quality materials and maintained properly, sporting high studs and plenty of usable spaces, they can be a dream project. Generally, they’re available because they are being replaced by larger structures for growing assemblies, so they offer fewer hazards, though obtaining that builder’s report would give you peace of mind that you are onto a winner.

If you do persevere with such a project, call us to ensure the peace of mind of a top-quality renovation. Insulating and covering up structural or damp problems with the odd repair can not only mean the difference between a healthy family and constant absenteeism from your normal pursuits, but you risk inflicting serious long-term health problems on your home’s inhabitants.

Next, find out what moving it’s going to cost: aspect, foundations, rewiring, plumbing, ventilation etc.  Availability of street-level services can be exorbitant if the street is not up to code or if there are updates occurring in the vicinity.

Never, ever assume the structure is ideal, because if it were, chances are it would not have had to be removed in the first place. Find out as much as you can about why it was removed and not restored. The answer may be that the building occupied a large piece of land more suitable for multi-housing, which would be an acceptable explanation, but be aware that any old building will have its flaws, most of which should be relatively fixable.

Believe it or not, this beautiful bathroom was once part of an old army barracks.

When you’ve found your site and chosen your pre-loved building, that's the time to contact your local Pzazz Building owner to make the rest of the process easy. So what are you waiting for?