Should You Remodel or Move? A Guide for PA & NJ Homeowners

Prospective buyers are living through a uniquely challenging moment in the housing market, as obstacles like limited inventory, elevated interest rates, and rising home prices create barriers to traditional upward momentum. 

In the tight housing markets of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, in particular, many homeowners feel stuck in once-beloved starter homes that no longer serve their needs, caught between the rock of expensive move-up options and the hard place of needing more space.

Whether you need to make room for a growing family, create space for aging parents, or find a way to stay in a community you love, it’s important to remember that moving isn’t the only solution. A remodel or addition can be a more cost-effective and lower-stress way to help you and your family grow in place. 

In this article, we’ll give you the tools to help you decide what makes the most sense for your family, budget, and long-term plans. Whether you choose to remodel or move, the goal is always to help you love the place you live. 

What Today’s PA & NJ Housing Market Conditions Mean for You

It’s a seller’s market with high home prices, low inventory, and competitive suburban markets conspiring to make it increasingly difficult for prospective buyers to find a home that meets their needs without breaking their budget. 

Quick Stats

Hot markets like Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania, and Morris, Somerset, Bergen, and Monmouth Counties in New Jersey can be extremely competitive, particularly in commuter-friendly towns. 

In these situations, low supply often makes moving more difficult and expensive. In Pennsylvania in 2025, 30% of homes are selling above their list price, leaving many buyers struggling to compete.  

On the other hand, conservative estimates put the cost of a whole-home mid-range renovation between $40,000 and $100,000, making it a strong contender for meeting your housing needs with less stress and less debt. 

How to Determine If You Should Remodel or Move

When exploring whether it’s better to remodel or move, it’s crucial to consider costs, lifestyle impacts, timelines, and location. Both options can have significant benefits and drawbacks.  

Explore Cost Comparisons

While often cheaper than the total cost of a new home and move, remodeling is still a significant investment of time, money, and effort. However, working with an experienced, local design-build firm can help control costs and ensure your project runs smoothly.

Average project costs in 2025: 

• Kitchen remodel: $75,000 to $125,000
• Bathroom remodel: $20,000 to $70,000
• Primary suite refresh: $175,000 to $250,000
• Home addition: $60,000 to $400,000
• Basement renovation: $50,000 and $150,000

Moving comes with its own costs, including agent fees, closing costs, higher interest rates, moving expenses, and differences in home prices, which can increase the total price tag. Buyers looking to upsize should be aware that doing so generally costs significantly more than remodeling. 

For example, let’s imagine a Pennsylvania family with two teenage children living in an older house with a single bathroom.  The median price of a new home in Pennsylvania is over $300,000, plus the fees and expenses associated with a move. 

The average cost of a bathroom addition is just over $60,000, a much lower price tag for a family that might not want to upsize with college costs around the corner. 

Assess Lifestyle, Stress, and Long-Term Value

Moving isn’t just a financial decision; it has long-term social and emotional impacts on the entire household. Many prospective home buyers may be happy in their community, valuing their current location for proximity to family, a good school district, or beloved community organizations.

Move or remodel: What are the pros and cons?

While a major renovation can feel disruptive, that disruption is temporary and minimized when working with a design-build team that streamlines a potentially stressful remodel. 

Understand Timelines, Permits, and Logistics

The average time to complete a move through the traditional housing market is about 60 to 90 days, though delays, particularly in challenging markets, can add significant time to that estimate. 

Renovations also take time, and the completion timeline can vary depending on the type of work you need done. For example:

• Kitchens: 8 to 12+ weeks
• Additions: 4 to 8+ months

Renovations also have strict permitting requirements that vary by municipality. New Jersey shore towns often have stricter zoning, while Pennsylvania historic districts may require longer approval timelines.

The beauty of working with a design-build team is that you have professionals whose job it is to handle all permitting and project coordination, reducing the stress placed on the homeowner. 

Consider Local Factors That May Influence Your Decision

Finally, homeowners should consider local factors that may affect their decision to move or remodel, such as:

• Property taxes: New Jersey taxes are typically higher. Factor them into your moving costs.
• School districts: Access to high-ranking districts is often a priority.
• Commute realities: Easy access to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and New Jersey Transit can boost home values and limit move-up options.
• Neighborhood restrictions: HOA rules, zoning setbacks, and historic requirements may limit renovation options.
• Lot size differences: Some communities limit additions; others don’t.

When Renovating Makes More Sense

There are some situations where renovating makes more sense than moving. Here are some telltale signs that remodeling may be the right choice for you:

• You plan to stay more than five years
• The location is ideal (schools, commute, community)
• The home has good “bones” and only needs layout or aesthetic updates
• Remodeling is more cost-effective than buying a larger house in a competitive area
• You are eligible for energy and efficiency upgrade incentives

Let’s look at a concrete example: You have an adult child who needs to move home but also needs independence. Finishing a basement apartment in Bucks County is likely cheaper than a move and will add value to your home long after they leave the nest.

When Moving Is the Better Choice

On the other hand, moving may be the better choice. Below are some common factors that may indicate a move is necessary.

• You need significant changes that your current home can’t provide (a larger lot, better schools, significantly more square footage)
• Renovation costs exceed local home values or don’t make financial sense
• You want a big lifestyle shift (rural to suburban, suburban to city, etc.)
• Your home has structural limitations (low ceilings, small footprint, restrictive zoning, etc.)

What would this look like in real life? Maybe you live in a narrow rowhome in Philadelphia that can no longer support your growing family. The limited lot size will be a barrier to any additions, limiting the value of a renovation.

A Quick Self-Audit: What Do You Really Need From Your Home?

So, should you move or remodel? It’s a big decision, but the answer comes down to what you need from your home. You may want to try writing a “Home Wish List” before making any decision, noting what you love about your house while acknowledging what you’ve outgrown.

If you’re still feeling conflicted, we’ve provided a 30-second checklist that should help you clarify which option is right for you.

• Do you plan to stay in your home for more than five years? 
• Which spaces feel tight? 
• What kind of family changes are you expecting? (kids, aging parents) 
• Are there parts of your home that consistently cause conflict or discomfort?
• What do you want your life to look like? Does your home support that life?
• How do you feel about your current community? 

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

If you do choose renovation, it’s essential to do the work to avoid common pitfalls, like underestimating project costs by skipping design planning or choosing the wrong contractor.

How to avoid problems:

• Get a consultation from an experienced design-build team.
• Use early design concepts to test different versions of your project on paper and see how changes in size, layout, and finishes affect cost.
• Get a pre-renovation home assessment to identify any structural, mechanical, or layout issues.
• Ensure your contractor is licensed, insured, and experienced.
• Double-check zoning restrictions and neighborhood rules.

Ready to Explore Your Options? Our Design-Build Team Can Help

Deciding to move or remodel is a big commitment that deserves careful consideration, planning, and professional input. Remodeling with a trusted design-build firm can be an excellent strategy, particularly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey’s tight markets, where renovations often offer flexibility and stability.

Ultimately, the “right choice” in the debate between remodeling and moving depends on your goals, finances, and lifestyle. Tilghman Builders is here to support you as you make your decision, and we would be honored to provide our 40 years of design and construction expertise to your project. 

As experts in additions, kitchens, whole-home remodels, and historic home renovations, our goal is to make sure you always feel at home, wherever that is for you. Get your free estimate today.