Renovation Quotes In Japan. Is this for real?
Recently my wife and I started looking into building a home / refurbishing a home / owning a home. You see the thing is, we/she inherited a house that belonged to her grandparents. But for the modern day wife and kids, it is a bit too old to live in. A single guy would grab this place up in a heartbeat not caring about the looks or age, just happy to save some money.
To tell the truth, I am not even sure how old this house is, but I am going to guess around 30~40 years old. By Japanese standards it is a decent size home, but by Jamaican standards, it is a tiny home.
Finding companies that can renovate this house and make it liveable is a task in itself but the good thing is we have started and the first quotation just came in. We spent a good hour or two talking to the couple that runs the company. While the husband talked the wife sketched and took notes while sporadically giving input. We told them all the things we wanted to change and they suggested things we should change and things we could do ( DIY) to save money ( I was surprised to hear them give this advice).
A month later they came back with designs, brochures and the quotation. This meeting took around an hour and half as they told us everything in the quotation booklet and showed us the design plans. It was really tiring listening to them.
The first thing they showed us was the exterior color change that really made the house look more modern and unified. The first photo is a mock-up of the house as is, and the one below it is their image to grab our attention and help us visual what could be. They also suggested we could do the outer painting ourselves to save on cost.
The renovation quotation included:
- Wall insolation and a new layer of wood to cover the interior walls.
- kitchen renovation ( island, stove, cupboards etc).
- Toilet a bathroom renovation ( new toilets, new tubs, wall extension.
- Adding new heat keeping windows and slide doors.
- Roof repairs.
- Flooring.
- water heater.
*fixtures and fittings.
I am probably missing somethings, but these are the main. Below is the plan for the first floor followed by the second.
Below are the design mock-up of the interior of the house. I must say it looks pretty impressive compared to what it looks like now. There is no plan for the house as is, so I couldn’t take comparison photos.
The room beside the kitchen actually has a wall which would be removed and the kitchen island with its sink and stove have now faced the opposite direction so anyone cooking can see what’s going on the living room.
The first floor has two rooms which could be used as bedrooms, the big room bottom left, and the room behind the kitchen. Beside that room is a tatami room which I wanted to keep to give the house that traditional Japanese feel to it.
Here is what the second floor would look like. The second floor would see new glass windows that keep heat in winter and stay cool in summer. A wall was also placed in the main room to make it two. The closets, doors and flooring would also be replaced along with some roof work and the wall insolation. That stand alone room to the left was an extension done after the home was built. We were considering destroying it but were advised that repairing it would be less expensive. It could be useful at some point, below that room is parking lot for 1 car.
Basically this quotation took most things into consideration that could always be trimmed off the total cost and done by us. Even though we don’t have the know-how, a few YouTube videos and friends would help. The total cost to renovate the house was ¥17,020,478 ( $128,000 ) with the company taking ¥1,547,316 ($11,722) commission from that amount. But the truth is, I know they are making way more than that. Talking to a friend who is into real estate and design who worked on quotations, he stated that renovation companies in Japan usually strive for at least 33% which would be a figure close to around ¥5.6M ($42,000) But hey, that is business and their service makes the process a lot more convenient.
The next step is to get quotes ( not estimates ) from at least 2 more companies and also explore what the cost would be to demolish the house and just build a new one. We also plan to get quotes for just the essential renovation ( kitchen, toilet, bathroom ) and see how much of a difference that is and figure out how we would gradually DIY and hire freelance carpenters to do specific projects. In my mind, ¥17M yen is a lot of money to spend on renovating this house. But as the renovators were explaining, the cost of materials have skyrocketed.
Housing seems to be getting more out of reach for the average person, signs of this can be seen with the recent 40 year mortgages 💸 in the USA. My wishful thinking is that one day soon my crypto investments can more than pay off a decent loan. Though I’d still take out a loan at a 1.3% interest rate so I would have the cash-flow to do other things.
What I’d really love to do is actually fix this place up just enough to rent it out and then use that money to pay for a loan on a new house. But I think there's a lot of sentimental value here for my wife’s dad. I guess I just have to have the balls to bring it up. I am a little frustrated as I really don’t know the best option in this situation but for now, we shall get some more quotes to way the options.
What is your take on all this? Done any renovations recently? Any advice or opinions? Let me know in the comments below.
It’s crazy, expensive to renovate here, isn’t it? Since you own the land, you could basically build a new house for the same price, but you would then have to pay for the demolition, which isn’t cheap either.
Doing it yourself is an option, but I would imagine that your wife and in-laws will probably think it sounds a bit crazy. That tends to be the typical reaction over here.
And also demolishing the house would raise the land tax. Renovating would keep it as is. But I definitely feel I could build a house for that amount. The demolition is estimated to cost ¥1.5M through contacts but I can imagine the price going over as this is how they do.
Right! If only AI could do that too 😂
There is one option and you can save a lot of money if you take on the duties of a foreman and supplier. I mean the foreman who makes sure that all materials are purchased on time and delivered to the site. You can choose the materials yourself, to your taste and your pocket, this saves a lot of money, but. first, take the estimate that they will give you and go through the construction supermarkets, there, everything will become clear and understandable.
A very expensive repair in Moldova, comparable in quality to Versailles, lol, cost from 50 to 100 per square meter and all materials cost another 10-15000 Euros, plumbing, laminate, tiles, paints, doors and windows and so on. Yes, the doors are made of solid doom, and the materials are all expensive.
The old house looks very cute too
Old but golden
At the same time, the new renovation will look so good but it is kinda weird to paint your house colour black.
You know I thought so at first but black houses actually look very good. I've seen a couple here and they are nice.
This looking wonderfull with the renovated and the black color now it's look perfect🖤
Yes the black color really uplifts the exterior. I would have never though it would look so good.
I know renovating a house can be pretty expensive as I am into carpentry and plumbing, especially with the prices of things on the rise. I share in your pain
Thanks for confirming about the rising prices. While I know inflation is galloping, I don't know to what extent in this sector. Bitcoin is looking more and more like the safety raft.,
For sure
I can feel the vibe of Japan through that home
Most definitely. It's a typical home of the era that will soon be very hard to find.
From an architectural point of view, the value of an old house is quite high. But we need to make sure that we renovate the houses in a way that is suitable for today's living. Otherwise, we will not be integrated into the modern form. Going to save money as you and your wife hope is definitely a better planned activity. For that, choosing the planners with proper knowledge is something that you should definitely do.
That is definitely something to keep in mind, economically add environmentally. I think two more planners should give us some perspective and also a lot of info on the material to purchase incase we go more towards the DIY side.
Wow, it certainly looks like it will be a fantastic remodel, just from the plans you can tell it will take a lot of effort. I like the fact that they decided to paint the outside in that dark color, it really adds sobriety to the house.
I hope everything goes well with the remodeling and soon you will bring a post with the finished house.
A lot of effort indeed. The quotation was a thick pile. Haha nice choice of words with the “sobriety”. I totally agree.
Thanks, I hope so too. Time ti get on with the research.
A friend of ours also recently purchased an "older" home, which has needs some fixing up and replacing certain elements, like windows for heating and cooling elements. They've decided to do it one project at a time instead of doing it all in once for that bit of a breather.
Fixing it up just enough to rent out could also be an option though, but that's for your wife and you to decide.
Beautiful structure by the way and yes older houses do need some renovating as some techniques back then aren't working in this day and age. Are you also considering "smart" and durable renovations, like solar panels or those gadgets where you can adjust settings via your phone? All in do time though.
Goodluck! 😊
That seems to be the best way. Maybe fix up the essentials and then everything else a project by itself down with proper research.
You know the “smart” didn’t really cross my mind because my perspective is its pricey. But that is definitely something to look into, especially the solar as that is a major key. The godets on the other hand are an easy buy at the electronics store.
Yeah, even some friends in "developing" Suriname have invested in some of those. We weren't ready for that as we still need to cover some basics.
We've also considered solar, but the investment at the time wasn't worth the revenue, especially with some legislation in Suriname that doesn't support going green (yet).
Prices are so crazy over here. But... I guess they are getting crazy everywhere. You and me both hoping this crypto thing pays off!
Good luck with this. Hopefully the other two estimates you get are lower.
Seeing these prices makes me wish I bought the apartment I’m currently living from day 1 so I could rent it out but you live and you learn.
I hope so too, I won't let them see this one as they’d definitely try to beat it. I wanna see their uninfluenced price.
WAGMI
The right decision, building your own is always better than buying what the market offers you, especially when the budget is limited.
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Most definitely, I think a little more research is needed to get a better understanding of materials and labor cost.
My words were based on the experience that I had in another country, but, I do not know the laws in Japan, and if in Moldova I could hire a person from the street to do some work, for example, plumbing work, then perhaps in Japan you need to have a license, I don’t know that, it’s better to clarify such points.
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Hi @dmilliz, remodeling a house requires organization and adjusting to a budget, sometimes the unforeseen events that arise in these cases give us many concerns and the budget requires modifications, the design you propose looks very comfortable and elegant, hopefully you can finish soon.
Best regards!
Hey 👋, indeed a lot of organization and that’s why these companies will try to make at least 33% of the total cost. Yeah the unforeseen costs could easily push the project to ¥20,000,000, that why many people will take out a loan above the quote. It’s time to get some more quotes to see what others are saying ( without letting them see the other quotes) 😂
Thanks for sharing. It’s interesting to see the models of the present house and of the “renovated”. Honestly, though 17 mil is high, I thought the cost for renovation would have been higher assuming that the house is more than 40 years old. I don’t have much experience in this field, but having spoken to a few retirees who have had to decide what to do with their family house after their parents had passed, they mentioned how expensive it is to do renovations. One of them in particular, decided that it was better to demolish though that too was expensive. Demolition costs include getting rid of the different parts/ materials of the house after it’s taken down.
It’s good and unusual that they suggested ways in which you could cut cost. With such low interest rates on loans and @17M, I’d probably give it a run though there may be other factors to be considered.
That is a good point, it's an old house so needs nuff work. But I think 17M¥ just sounds too high but just like you, I don't know much about renovation and material cost. Demolition the house and the land tax difference is something that really supeised me, you would think it would be the same. Me a gwaan pree it because can't jump too fast on 17M 😂
🤣True man. Gwaan pree it. If you see the green light, you then give it a run.
I had one adventurous idea, lol. In the end, if possible, you will build a new house, demolish the old house. but you won't pay anything for the demolition.
It is necessary that the perimeter of the new house absorb the perimeter of the old house. It will take a little longer, but it will look like the reconstruction of an old house, repair.
As the outer walls of the new house grow, you will gradually dismantle the old house, starting from the roof and so on. The old house, as I understand from the boards, it will not be difficult to dismantle it, if you find cheap labor, it will not be difficult, but to take out the old rubbish, hire a truck in the village and gradually dismantle the old house. Moreover, boards, old windows and roofing, I think you can sell, you need to look for a buyer in the villages, give an announcement about the sale, buyers themselves will be able to come and buy everything they need. important. so that the new house does not look very different from the old house in appearance, but it can be made of stone, and not of plywood. It is quite difficult to describe the whole idea in three words, but it can work out. To be honest, investing that kind of money in renovating this. a murdered house makes no sense. You do not know. how does the old foundation of the house feel. It looks like a scam, but if people are required to pay so much for demolition and repairs, then the end justifies the means :)
I heard that in japan many people abandon their old house because its actually more expensive to renovate them because its cost arm and leg. Looking at tour estimated price, i kinda understand why many people choose just to rent. A 40 year mortgage is mind blowing and shocking for me. I wonder what it would be in a rural area in japan, are the price gonna be similar or basically 70% cheaper like in my country? I agree to remove the small space near the kitchen too. Best luck for you
That is exactly right, and the land tax continues. Land tax makes you wonder if unu ever actually own a house because what happens when you don't pay it?
Mind blowing indeed, it just goes to show that inflation is out of control and salary stagnation is being controlled.
Ah, where I am is the country 😂 so imagine the big city?
Thanks 🙏
Thanks for the great insight. We have been thinking about buying, renting, reforming etc as well and it was good to get an idea about all the things coming up. I think most important is the location, do you want to live in this area or neighbourhood? So far I haven't found the right place for me, and I guess in the end it will come down to some kind of compromise. Good luck for your projects, wherever you will end up!
That’s a good point. The location is definitely my first choice but the good thing is the twins wouldn’t have to change schools. And it’s near the in-laws which can be a big plus.
Some compromise indeed, one thing for sure is I don’t want to rush this, it’s a pressure though as it feels like the costs are just getting more inflated.
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Hey, sorry I didn't see this earlier. I dont get to post a lot these days but that is no excuse. Again, thanks for the heads up and thanks for the 🥈
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I really need to step my hive game up! But your know how it is at times.
In the floor plan the house looks really spacious and very modern. The colors they used are beautiful. I hope you will soon have your new home.
Sorry for the extremely late reply. It hasn't even started yet as the organization ( as you said) is taking time. And now whe sound a new company through a friend than may be able to do it much cheaper.
Wowww you have to make decisions, analysis and look at budget vs. materials and finishes. I hope you find the best way for your new home.
Came across a new company today through a friend so here we go again 😂 this stuff really takes time but really don’t wanna rush this.
Wow ... I hope this is the company that is going to develop the project. I understand that these things take time
@dmilliz I have no experience in remodeling. I was surprised by the sincere and supportive detail of the consultants when they suggested that some of the details be done by you.thanks for sharing your project
Hi, sorry for the very late reply. I agree it is not normal to have the remodel company say you can do it yourself if you do XYZ. But it's a couple that understands what the average consumer is going through. We contacted another company and they specifically said " no,it's better we take care of that".
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