“Should I Renovate or Move?”: A Guide for Triangle Homeowners

How to Decide Whether to Stay and Remodel—or Start Fresh Somewhere New

If your home no longer fits your life, you’re not alone. Maybe it feels too small, too dark, too dated—or all three. Maybe you’re craving a better layout, more space, or just a change. At that point, the big question usually comes up:

Should we remodel, or should we move?

At David Pollard Architect, we help homeowners in Cary, Raleigh, Apex and throughout the Triangle navigate this decision every day. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but there are key factors to help you make the right choice for your family.

1. What’s Your Emotional Connection to the Home?

This matters more than most people expect. Do you love your neighborhood? Your yard? The way the light comes in through the windows in the morning?

Remodeling lets you preserve the things you love about your current home—while fixing what isn’t working. If your house has sentimental value or you’re deeply connected to your community, remodeling can be the best of both worlds.

2. Can You Buy What You Want for the Same Cost?

The real estate market in the Triangle has remained strong, but so have home prices. Many families explore moving—only to realize that finding something better (and close to where they already live) is just as expensive as renovating.

Renovation costs can feel high, but so can:

• Realtor fees and moving costs

• Closing costs on a new home

• Repairs and updates needed after you buy

• The premium for a house in the right school district or neighborhood

We help clients evaluate all-in renovation costs so they can make a fair, side-by-side comparison.

3. What Are the Zoning and Structural Opportunities at Your Current Home?

Some homes have excellent “bones”—a good foundation, structure, and layout that can be reworked or added onto. Others may have limitations: small lots, height restrictions, or aging infrastructure that make large renovations tricky.

As architects, we can assess your home’s potential and feasibility before you commit. Sometimes just a simple addition or layout rework makes all the difference. Other times, it makes more sense to start over elsewhere.

4. How Long Do You Plan to Stay?

If you’re planning to move again in a few years, it might make more sense to sell and buy what you need now. But if you plan to stay 5–10 years or more, investing in the right remodel can completely change how you feel in your home—and pay off over time.

We design with future flexibility in mind, so your home can grow and adapt as your life changes.

5. What’s Your Appetite for Disruption?

Remodeling is exciting—but it can be disruptive. Depending on the scope, you may need to move out temporarily or live through construction. On the flip side, moving means house hunting, bidding wars, paperwork, and packing.

There’s no easy path—just different types of effort. The right decision depends on your timeline, patience, and personality.

Need Help Deciding? Start with a Design Consultation.

If you’re stuck between staying and going, a professional design consultation can give you clarity.

At David Pollard Architect, we offer Feasibility Studies and early-stage design planning to help you understand what’s possible with your current home—before you make a major decision.

Let’s talk about your home, your goals, and your options.
Schedule a free 30-minute virtual consult and take the first step toward clarity.

What to Expect from an Architectural Design Process

Your Roadmap to a Thoughtful, Low-Stress Remodel

Starting a major renovation or addition to your home is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. What comes first? Who do you call? How do you know if you’re doing it “right”?

At David Pollard Architect, we believe the best projects begin with clarity, collaboration, and a strong design process. Here’s what you can expect when you work with an architect on your home—from first conversation to final construction drawings.

1. The Intro Call: Let’s Talk First

Everything starts with a conversation. We offer a complimentary 30-minute virtual consultation to hear about your home, your goals, and your questions.
We’ll help you understand:

• Whether your project is a good fit for architectural design

• What services you may need (design only, full-service, or phased)

• What kind of budget might be realistic for your scope

This is also your chance to ask us anything—about timelines, permitting, costs, or past projects. We’re here to listen first.

2. Site Visit or Feasibility Consultation

For most projects, the next step is an in-person visit to walk the property and better understand your home’s layout, structure, and constraints.
Depending on your location and project complexity, this may be a standalone Feasibility Study or folded into full-service design.

We’ll:

• Take field measurements and photos

• Review zoning and code constraints

• Talk through early ideas and priorities

• Begin to outline potential scope and strategy

This step helps define what’s possible—and what’s worth exploring.

3. Schematic Design: Shaping the Vision

This is where the creative work begins. Based on everything we’ve learned, we develop initial design concepts that capture the big ideas and overall direction.

You’ll receive:

• 3D massing models and visualization

• Multiple options or layout variations

• Early discussions about materials and aesthetics

• Early discussions about anticipated budget

We walk through the pros and cons of each, refine ideas, and collaborate with you to shape a clear direction for your project.

4. Design Development: Getting into the Details

Once a concept is selected, we begin adding detail. We refine layouts, develop elevations, and coordinate with consultants (like structural engineers or interior designers).

This phase includes:

• Detailed floor plans, elevations, and 3D views

• Coordination with specialists as needed

• Preliminary selections and materials discussion

• A working project budget aligned with scope

We keep you involved throughout to ensure decisions reflect your goals and lifestyle.

5. Construction Documents: Ready to Build

Once everything is dialed in, we prepare a full drawing set for permitting and construction. This includes all technical details, notes, and specs that your builder will need.

Depending on your builder and delivery method, we can:

• Help you interview or select contractors

• Support permitting and submission

• Stay involved during construction to answer questions and help resolve issues

We can be as involved as you want us to be—from design-only through full project support and even the construction itself.

Why a Thoughtful Design Process Matters

Great architecture doesn’t come from rushing to the finish line. It’s the result of a thoughtful, collaborative process that blends creativity, problem-solving, and attention to detail.

Our process is designed to reduce stress, eliminate surprises, and give you confidence that your project is on the right track—from the start.

Let’s Start with a Conversation

If you're thinking about a remodel, addition, or custom home, and want a clear, supportive process—let’s talk.

Schedule a complimentary 30-minute consult and let’s see what’s possible together.

Designing for the Way You Live: Making Older Homes Work for Modern Families

Homes built in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s - and honestly even the 1990’s weren’t designed with today’s lifestyles in mind. Think tiny kitchens, formal living rooms no one uses, chopped-up layouts, huge bathtubs, tiny showers, and minimal storage. Sound familiar?

But if you love your neighborhood… or your lot, your school district, your commute, or the charm of your home — remodeling can be the perfect way to bring an older house up to speed with modern living.

At David Pollard Architect, we specialize in helping Triangle families reimagine their homes to better fit how they actually live today. Here’s how we approach it.

1. Reworking the Floor Plan for Flow and Function

Many older homes were built with compartmentalized layouts: a kitchen in one corner, a dining room down the hall, and a living room in the front of the house that rarely gets used. Today, most families want open, flexible spaces where they can cook, work, relax, and spend time together.

We help reconfigure floor plans to:

• Open up kitchens to adjacent spaces and the outdoors

• Create better sightlines and natural light

• Add multifunctional zones (like play areas, homework nooks, or home offices)

• Improve traffic flow for everyday use and entertaining

Small changes—like removing a wall or reorienting a stair—can make a huge difference.

2. Adding Space Where It Matters Most

Whether your family is growing, aging, or simply evolving, many older homes just don’t have enough space in the right places.

We often add or redesign:

• Primary suites with walk-in closets and modern baths

• Mudrooms and laundry rooms for organization and function

• Family rooms that connect to outdoor living

• Home offices or study spaces for remote work and school

Sometimes a small addition or dormer can unlock far more usable square footage than you’d expect.

3. Bringing in More Light and Views

Older homes often feel dark—not just because of smaller windows, but because of how the spaces are arranged.

We look for opportunities to:

• Add or expand windows

• Create better indoor-outdoor connections

• Use natural light to define zones and improve energy efficiency

The result is a home that not only looks brighter, but feels more open, calming, and connected.

4. Modernizing Systems Without Losing Character

Updating your home doesn’t mean losing its soul.

We help preserve the charm and craftsmanship of older homes—like original hardwood floors, trim, or brickwork—while updating HVAC, plumbing, insulation, and electrical systems to today’s standards.

The goal is a home that’s both beautiful and functional, blending old and new in a way that feels intentional and seamless.

5. Designing for the Next Chapter

Maybe your family is growing or your kids are getting older. Maybe your parents are moving in. Maybe you’re thinking about aging in place. Whatever’s next, a smart remodel can set your home up to evolve with you.

We plan with flexibility in mind—so spaces can adapt over time, not just look good today.

Ready to Rethink Your Home?

If your house isn’t working the way it used to—or never really did—it might be time to reimagine it. The right architectural design can breathe new life into an old home and help it grow with your family.

At David Pollard Architect, we guide Triangle homeowners in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest and surrounding areas through creative, thoughtful renovations that honor what’s good and improve what’s not.

Schedule a free 30-minute virtual consult to talk through what’s possible for your home.

How Much Does It Cost to Remodel in the Triangle?

Understanding Remodeling Budgets in Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Wake Forest and Surrounding Areas

If you're starting to explore a renovation or addition to your home, one of the first (and most important) questions is: How much is this going to cost?

The short answer is: it depends.
The more helpful answer? We can give you realistic ranges—so you know what kind of investment to expect, and whether you're ready to move forward.

At David Pollard Architect, we work with homeowners throughout the Triangle to design thoughtful, functional, beautiful spaces. And over the years, we’ve learned how to talk about cost in a way that’s transparent and respectful of both your goals and your budget.

Typical Remodeling Costs in the Triangle

Below are some average investment ranges based on recent projects in Cary, Raleigh, Apex, and nearby towns. These are turnkey costs—meaning they include construction labor, materials, design, and professional services.

Project Type w/ Typical Investment Range:

Primary Suite Addition — $200,000 – $350,000+

Whole-House Renovation — $400,000 – $800,000+

Kitchen Remodel — $125,000 – $250,000+

Second-Story Addition — $300,000 – $600,000+

Garage + Bonus Room — $175,000 – $325,000+

Covered Porch / Outdoor Living — $75,000 – $150,000+

These are general guidelines. The exact cost of your project will depend on factors like:

• Size and scope

• Existing conditions

• Structural changes

• Material selections

• Permitting requirements

• Site access and complexity

• Timeline and market conditions

What's Included in These Budgets?

Most of these ranges include more than just construction. A full-service remodeling project typically covers:

• Architectural design and drawings

• Engineering and permitting

• Interior design and selections

• Contractor labor and materials

• Project management and coordination

• Contingencies and overhead

They may also include less visible—but crucial—items like electrical upgrades, HVAC work, waterproofing, or foundation repairs.

If you're comparing estimates from different firms, make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

Where Can You Save—or Spend More?

There’s often flexibility in:

• Finishes (tile, fixtures, cabinetry)

• Scope (do we redo this room now, or phase it?)

• Complexity (custom layouts vs. more standard solutions)

We guide clients through cost-impact decisions early in the process—so you can prioritize what matters most without compromising the integrity of your home.

Why It’s Worth Investing in Good Design

Thoughtful design isn’t just about aesthetics. It helps avoid expensive surprises during construction, improves flow and functionality, and increases long-term value.

Done well, it can also help prevent overbuilding—designing smarter instead of bigger.

Next Steps: Know Before You Build

Before you hire a contractor or start demo, the smartest move is to talk with a design professional who understands both design and cost.

At David Pollard Architect, we help Triangle homeowners define scope, clarify budget, and create homes that work better—for the way you live.

Curious what your project might cost?
Schedule a complimentary 30-minute virtual consultation, and let’s talk about what’s possible.

What Does an Architect Actually Do on a Residential Project?

1. We Translate Your Ideas into Buildable Reality

You might come to us with a Pinterest board full of inspiration or a vague sense that “we need more space.” Our job is to take those ideas, your lifestyle needs, aesthetic preferences, and practical constraint, and turn them into a cohesive, functional design that can actually be built.

This means solving spatial puzzles, anticipating flow, maximizing natural light, and making it all fit within local zoning laws, HOA requirements, budgets, and the character of your home.

2. We Navigate Permitting and Building Codes

Each town or county has its own zoning rules, historic district guidelines, HOA requirements, and building code requirements. We handle all of that.

From setbacks and lot coverage to stair geometry and energy codes, we ensure your project complies with local ordinances and national safety standards. And we don’t just meet code—we design with long-term safety, comfort, and durability in mind.

3. We Coordinate with Engineers, Builders, and Consultants

Design doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We collaborate with structural engineers, interior designers, landscape professionals, and—critically—your builder.

A good architect acts as the hub in that wheel, making sure each professional's input is integrated and aligned with the overall vision. We also help prevent surprises by clarifying details that can otherwise lead to change orders or cost overruns during construction.

4. We Advocate for Your Best Interests

Construction is complicated. Questions come up. Conditions change. When they do, we’re there to represent your interests.

We can review contractor pricing, catch errors before they become expensive, and help you make informed decisions during construction. Instead of being stuck between technical jargon and tradespeople, you have a professional on your side who understands both design and build. In fact our team is equipped to build your project as well if you feel that we could be the right fit. We have been doing this for over a decade and have a deep understanding of both design and construction and the magic that happens when both are carefully coordinated.

5. We Help You Think Long-Term

Whether you're remodeling for resale, expanding for a growing family, or creating your forever home, we think ahead—beyond your immediate needs.

We ask: How will this space work in 10 years? Is this layout adaptable? Are we making choices that enhance both daily life and long-term value?

Good design isn't just about how a house looks—it's about how it lives.

So, Do You Need an Architect?

If you’re tackling a simple cosmetic update, maybe not. But if you're rethinking the layout of your home, building an addition, or trying to solve a tricky space issue, working with an architect can save time, reduce stress, and increase the value of your investment.

At David Pollard Architect, we specialize in thoughtful residential design that makes homes feel better—more functional, more beautiful, and more you.

Want to learn more? Schedule a complimentary virtual consultation and let’s see if we’re the right fit for your project.