The carbon neutral benefits of a new build vs. a refurbishment project

There are plenty of reasons you’d be forgiven for thinking refurbishing your existing property is more environmentally friendly than building your home from scratch. Yet often the opposite can be true.  

At Hawes Construction Group, we’re doing all we can to strive towards a net zero ethos – not only for our business and supply chain, but the construction sector as a whole. With that, we’re speaking more and more about how, despite initial reservations, a new build has carbon-cutting benefits a refurbishment project cannot achieve.  

Here are some of the environmental advantages to consider when you choose to build new for your residential project with Hawes: 

You have more choice of eco-friendly materials 

Refurbishments need to be handled sensitively in keeping with existing planning laws and the current architecture of your home. A new build begins entirely from scratch, giving you greater control over the materials you use. As such, you’re able to look to those products that are more eco-friendly – think recycled plastics and reclaimed timber. 

You can look to carbon-neutral processes 

As well as materials and products, a new build gives you the opportunity to think more carefully about eco-friendly methods and processes. Considering everything across the supply chain, including sustainable transportation and sourcing materials locally, means you can really look at the reduced carbon effect of building new.  

You’re more likely to meet energy efficiency standards 

New builds have a great reputation for being easy to heat. That’s because they have to meet higher energy efficiency standards than an older home, which not only cuts your running costs but makes your environmental impact lower, too. There’s also more scope to consider eco-friendly additions, such as solar panels.  

Your plans are designed with net zero in mind 

A carbon-neutral approach is at the forefront from the start when you build new. For example, we can look at maximising natural light in your property – reducing the need for lighting and heating – installing dual-flush toilets to cut water waste, and making sure we use optimum quality double glazing.  

Of course, there may be times when refurbishment is preferred or necessary. We can carefully manage every stage of your residential refurbishment project to your exacting needs. Find out more about how our residential refurbishment service works here.  

Get in touch with us today with a call or an email and, together, we’ll create the residential new build you and your family will love living in – and the climate will thank you for.