The Home Renovation Decision That Might Upset Your Neighbors

Home renovations are usually something that we plan around our own personal taste, but even if you don't need HOA approval, some updates can still ruffle a few feathers with your neighbors. Unless you're hosting regular neighborhood meet-ups in your living room, most interior renovations won't have much of an effect on the rest of your community. However, exterior house remodels will draw attention (and sometimes criticism) from neighbors, especially on a block that has that perfectly curated, Wisteria Lane vibe going for it. With that in mind, there is one big home renovation that you might want to reconsider to keep peace among your neighborhood — tearing down the entire home and landscaping, and building a new design from scratch.

Neighbors' frustrated concerns over rebuilds have stirred up lots of conversation online, and the concerns go deeper than just personal preference. A post went viral on Reddit when an upset neighbor shared the before and after photos of a local rebuild that "destroyed all the charm and character" of the original home and its beautiful landscaping. The response was anything but neighborly, with many users voicing outrage over the trend of modern rebuilds that demolish original designs. If your home is in need of a major update and you're weighing the drawbacks of rebuilding, it might be worth considering why the choice to tear down and rebuild could upset your neighbors long-term.

If your home could use a design overhaul, it can be tempting to rip it down to the studs and start fresh with a design you know you'll love. That said, not every neighbor will share the same fondness for your home's new look. Certain community members might have a sentimental attachment to the old house if it's a classic structure that has been around for years, and the new build may not fit in with its neighbors. Others could argue that ultra-modern remodels disrespect the history of the region's traditional architecture. As for the landscaping, removing mature trees and shrubs for a rebuild can especially upset neighbors, because of the potential to disrupt local greenery, wildlife habitats, and the overall beauty of the block. One commenter on Reddit called the look of a modern build without trees or shrubs "sterile and dystopian." 

You might have a strong case for a rebuild, especially when considering that a new home will typically be triple the value of an older home, plus allow you to refresh outdated home trends in the space. However, these benefits aren't necessarily relevant to neighbors, even though they're the ones who will likely be disturbed daily by noisy construction. As you decide whether to renovate or rebuild, important to thoughtfully consider if the negative impact a rebuild could have on the community is worth the results.