---
title: New build or Retrofit? - TCN UK Limited
description: Sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint is imperative to the protection of our planet and future generations. Avoiding unnecessary waste of natura
---

[TCN UK - Insights ](https://www.tcnuk.co.uk/insights)

# [New build or Retrofit? - TCN UK Limited](https://www.tcnuk.co.uk/insights/2022/03/11/newbuildvsretrofit)

 Written by [TCN](https://www.tcnuk.co.uk/insights/author/tcn) | Mar 11 2022

Sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint is imperative to the protection of our planet and future generations. Avoiding unnecessary waste of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance should be at the forefront of decision-making in construction and property developments. Understanding the impact of our construction techniques can help inform our decision and ensure we’re doing the best we can for our future.

A great example today is this:

You have bought a site with a 40,000 sqft derelict building on it – it’s in a bit of a sorry state. It has great potential as a modern office building. 30% of it will need completely new construction, 10% may be salvaged.

In the UK, in 2022, developers pay a standard 20% tax on the retrofit of a building and 0% tax to flatten and build from scratch. There are not only costs to consider but also building heritage and historical significance, sustainability and future environmental impact too. What are your options? 

With a focus on **Embodied Carbon** you have two choices:

**Option A **whereby you demolish the existing and build a new office  
**Option B **whereby you retrofit the existing building on site.

**Option A: Construction of new building​ in CO2 emissions **(Using an embodied carbon rate of 350kgCO2e/m2 (LETI 2030 targets for offices (conservative))**​**

** **

**Deconstruction**​  
Module C1  
3.4kgCO2e/m2 GIA​  
**Total: 12.6 tCO2e (C1)**

**Transport to Landfill **​  
Assume 50km away​  
Module C2 0.005kgCO2e/kg waste​  
**Total: 37.9tCO2**​

**Disposal**​  
Modules C3, C4 0.013kgCO2e/kg waste​  
**Total: 98.6tCO2  
**

**Grand t****otal CO2 emissions: 1302 tCO2e**​  
 ​****

**Option B: Retrofit CO2 emissions may be similar to: **(Assuming retrofitting requires 10% of the building to be demolished and removed, and 30% new construction)   
**  
 10% Deconstruction & material**​​  
10% of total C1,C2,C3,C4 of other option​  
10% of (12.6+37.9+98.6)​  
10% of 149.1tCO2e​  
**Total: 14.9tCO2e**​

**30% new construction **​  
at 350kgCO2e/m2(A1-A5 New Building)​  
30% of 1302tCO2e  
​  
**Grand total CO2 Emissions for Retrofit: 390.6 tCO2e**

 

So, in terms of impact on the environment:

**Option A – Demolish & Build New**  
 1451 Tonnes of Carbon CO2  
 That’s the equivalent of cutting down 8707 trees 

**Option B – Retrofit **  
 406 Tonnes of Carbon CO2  
 That’s the equivalent of cutting down 2433 trees

With a 36% reduction in CO2 emissions through retrofit processes, we want to encourage more companies to look for new ways to deconstruct and re-use. There are many specialist Engineering Consultants such as Buro Happold who can help investigate and integrate emerging technologies and energy systems that can further reduce a development’s impact on the environment.

[View full post](https://www.tcnuk.co.uk/insights/2022/03/11/newbuildvsretrofit)

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