As many aspiring DIYers have discovered, building alteration and renovation projects are seldom easy or cheap. There are often surprises when the wall linings come off and you discover the shortcuts taken by the original builder. Crawling between rafters to stuff insulation into the tight confines of a ceiling is even more frustrating when you know how simple it would have been to do it before the ceiling was installed. And then there is always the question of how far do you go? Do you stop at remodelling the kitchen, or should you do up the bathroom as well while you’ve got a plumber? Maybe you should rewire the electrics, and, and…oops the money’s run out because every tradie charges a premium for alterations and getting the matching doorknob means forking out whatever the asking price is.
Many builders won’t even price alterations because new construction has less risk and more profit. Sometimes it is just better to demolish and start again.
So it was no surprise that Wellington City Council has costed the total replacement for the quake-damaged central library at $156 million versus the alteration and renovation at $200 million.
It really is a no-brainer. The new building will be…new. Everything fully up to date and with a lifespan of 64 years. The old building, even refurbished, will still have some compromises and has a projected life of only 50 years. The price difference equates to an additional $36 per year for ratepayers in perpetuity. Energy efficiency will be better in the new building, lowering operating costs. It is clear-cut.
It will also be no surprise that Wellington City Council has gone with the alteration. As I said, it is a no-brainer.
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