This is often the first question families ask, and it's the right place to start. While renovation seems less expensive on the surface, the reality is more complex. Many families discover that building custom actually costs less when you factor in all the hidden expenses of major renovations.
Let's explore the five key indicators that suggest custom building is your better option.
When contractors start talking about gutting kitchens, updating electrical throughout the house, replacing HVAC systems, and addressing structural issues, costs escalate quickly. In Prior Lake's established neighborhoods, we regularly see renovation estimates that surprise homeowners:
Cost Reality Check: A $300,000 home needing $150,000+ in renovations often makes building custom more attractive. With Moderno's transparent pricing, that $150,000 becomes a significant down payment on a custom home designed exactly for your family.
Renovations rarely stay on budget because one improvement reveals the need for others. Opening walls exposes outdated wiring. Kitchen updates show how dated the adjacent rooms look. What starts as a $75,000 project easily becomes $125,000 or more.
With custom building, you know exactly what you're getting and what it costs upfront. Our open-book approach eliminates surprise costs and change orders that plague renovation projects.
Many Prior Lake neighborhoods have strict setback requirements that prevent meaningful additions. When families need more space but can't expand their current footprint, building custom becomes the logical solution.
Consider these common scenarios:
As one of Scott County's largest acreage developers, we help families find properties with room to grow. Cardinal Pass, for example, offers lots from 3.5 to 6.5 acres—plenty of space for your home plus auxiliary structures like workshops, RV storage, or pool houses.
Important Consideration: Adding square footage to existing homes rarely provides the same cost-per-square-foot value as building custom on the right lot.
Homes built in the 1980s and 1990s are reaching the point where major systems need replacement simultaneously:
Older homes often lack proper insulation, have single-pane windows, and feature inefficient heating systems. Modern custom homes built by Moderno incorporate:
The monthly energy savings alone can justify custom building over attempting to upgrade an inefficient older home.
Sometimes renovation can't solve fundamental layout problems. Consider these scenarios where custom building makes more sense:
Many families want open floor plans that older homes simply can't provide without major structural changes. Load-bearing walls, HVAC routing, and electrical systems often make true open concepts impossible or prohibitively expensive in existing homes.
Today's families cook and entertain differently than they did 30 years ago. Custom homes allow kitchen designs that truly work for your family's cooking and entertaining style, not just updated versions of outdated layouts.
Remote work and home-based businesses require dedicated, professional spaces. Trying to carve offices out of existing bedrooms or basements rarely provides the functionality modern professionals need.
Family Perspective: "Every family is unique, and your home should reflect that reality. Cookie-cutter floor plans don't work for one-of-a-kind families. We take time to understand how your family actually lives before we design how you'll live."
Families planning to age in their homes often find that existing layouts can't accommodate future needs without expensive and disruptive renovations. Custom homes can incorporate universal design principles from the beginning.
We regularly meet families who've stopped improving their homes because they know the fundamental issues can't be fixed. Common complaints include:
Some families spend years making minor improvements to homes that have fundamental problems, never getting the satisfaction of a space that truly works. This pattern often indicates that starting fresh would be more cost-effective and emotionally satisfying.
Tired of Compromising on Your Home? If you're questioning whether renovation or custom building is right for your family, let's have an honest conversation about your options. Schedule your complimentary consultation to explore both remodeling and custom building options.
The decision between renovating and building custom should be based on realistic numbers, not assumptions. Consider:
Major renovations disrupt your life for months. With young children, remote work, or health considerations, the stress of living through renovations may not be worth the savings compared to building custom.
Our remodeling division can handle projects that make sense, but we're honest about when custom building serves families better.
If you're leaning toward custom building, consider these opportunities:
Scenic Bay Estates offers lakefront and near-lakefront lots perfect for families who want the benefits of lake living. These properties provide the outdoor lifestyle that renovations could never achieve.
With 12 new acreage lots available, Cardinal Pass gives families the space and privacy that established neighborhoods can't provide. Lots range from 3.5 to 6.5 acres, offering room for all the auxiliary buildings and outdoor spaces your family needs.
We also have lots available in Harvest Bluffs, Terra Farm, and other communities throughout the South Metro.
Born and raised in the South Metro, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of building in Prior Lake and Lakeville. Our local knowledge translates into smoother projects and better outcomes.
Unlike traditional contractors who profit from cost overruns, our fee-based approach means our success is tied to your satisfaction and staying within budget. We typically save clients 10-15% compared to traditional builders while delivering superior results.
Ready to Explore Your Options? Whether renovation or custom building is right for your family, the first step is getting honest information about both paths. Contact Moderno Construction Management to discuss your specific situation.
The decision between renovating and building custom is one of the most important your family will make. With proper guidance, it doesn't have to be stressful or confusing.
Our three-generation commitment to the South Metro area means we're invested in helping you make the right choice, not just the choice that benefits us most. From honest cost comparisons to exploring all your options, we're here to help you move from where you are to where you want to be.
Contact Moderno Construction Management today to begin exploring your options. Whether that's transforming your current home or building the custom home you've always dreamed of, we'll guide you through the process with transparency and expertise.
Call 952-234-8879 to schedule your consultation.
Serving Prior Lake, Lakeville, and surrounding South Metro communities. Here yesterday. Here today. Here to stay.
