A renovated living space with an open kitchen

BEFORE

AFTER

Existing house + full renovation / Toyama, Ishikawa, Hida

A home for a family of four, ¥8 million in construction.

Q: I worry about hidden problems like leaks and termites.

We inspect before purchase — roof, underfloor, plumbing and structure — and report. If the inspection says the house should be left alone, we tell you. During the work we strip walls and floors, so a renovation lets us see and fix the inside of the structure in a way a new build never allows. Some things only show once opened up, so at the estimate stage we flag the items that could go up.

A baby arrived and the flat suddenly felt small. But the quote for a new build left you speechless. Building new costs ¥20–40 million; a full renovation of an existing house costs ¥6–20 million. In Toyama City we handed over a home for a family of four for ¥8 million in construction.

A full renovation of a used house costs ¥6–20 million in construction, against ¥20–40 million for a new build.
For a family of four in Toyama City, we handed over the house in 2 months at a construction cost of ¥8 million.
A used house also has the purchase price and other costs. The total is typically ¥15–25 million.
You do not buy land separately, so the total is lower than a new build.
Before you buy, have the roof, underfloor and structure checked in a home inspection. Consultation is ¥0.

1 How it compares to your rent, per monthFree chat on LINE 2 No house yet is fineAsk via the form

1970Founded / Yatsuo, Toyama City

Inspected before you buyRoof, underfloor and structure checked

Long-life quality housingstandard for all our work

Consultation ¥0No pushy sales

A yardstick for construction cost

How much do you pay for the same family home?

The construction cost of the house itself. Building new and fully renovating an existing house, side by side on one scale.

Build newCustom and spec homes in Hokuriku, typical 2,000〜4,0000,000 yen

01,0002,0003,000¥40M

Fully renovate an old housewith Hokuriku Homes 600〜2,0000,000 yen

¥8M

01,0002,0003,000¥40M

In Toyama City we handed over a home for a family of four. Full renovation of both floors, two months, ¥8 million. The alcove and closet became a TV unit; insulation and plumbing were renewed.

* All figures are construction costs. With an existing house, the purchase price and fees come on top. Including the house, the total is typically ¥15–25 million, but varies greatly by area and size.

* Figures vary with the building's condition, size and scope. When we talk, we explain the monthly repayment compared with your current rent. Whether your current rent could buy a house, you can check with the free check: a used house your rent can buy.

What we hear from families in rented flats

The limit arrives suddenly one day.

Every time the baby cries at night you step outside so the neighbours won't hear
The pushchair and bags fill the entrance and the door opens halfway
When the kids run it carries downstairs, so you are forever telling them off
Not enough storage; nowhere for the seasonal things
You went to a show home and the quote left you speechless
Rent goes out every month and leaves nothing behind

Keep paying rent, or stretch for a new build. Between those two there is a third way: buy an old house and fix it.

Why the total is lower

Not cheaper — there are just things you don't have to pay for.

This is not a discount, and it is not lower quality. Costs that a new build always carries simply do not arise in the first place when you renovate an existing house.

No separate land purchase

The heaviest cost of a new build is the land. An existing house comes with its land — and it sits in an established neighbourhood, with schools, supermarkets and clinics already nearby.

You choose what to fix

Structure that is still sound — posts, beams — stays as it is. The budget goes where daily life feels it: insulation, plumbing, interiors. The same money buys a better result.

We build it ourselves

Search, design, construction and handover, all in one company. We have built houses in Toyama since 1970. Changes during the work can be discussed directly with the site.

The honest side of old houses

Your worries, answered first.

Are old houses safe in earthquakes?＋−

We check the condition before you buy and include the reinforcement needed in the plan. After looking at the bracing walls, foundation, damage to posts and beams and the weight of the roof, we decide how far to reinforce. If the reinforcement would cost more than the house is worth, we say "walk away" before you buy. We can replace damaged posts and beams with new timber without taking the building down.

Isn't an old house cold in a Hokuriku winter?＋−

This is where a renovation shows its worth. We build full renovations and spec homes alike to the national long-life quality housing standard. We replace the insulation in walls, floors and ceilings and the windows; for families with small children we prioritise reducing the temperature gap with corridors and the changing room. Put insulation off and you get a house that looks new but is cold.

I worry about hidden problems like leaks and termites.＋−

Before you buy, we carry out a home inspection, check the roof, underfloor space, plumbing and structure, and report back. If the inspection says a property is not worth touching, we tell you so plainly. Because the work strips back walls and floors, we can check and repair right into the structure — something a new build never lets you see again. That is one of the strengths of renovating an old house. Some things only turn up once we have opened things up, so at the estimate stage we flag the items that could end up costing more than quoted.

Do I need separate loans for the house and the renovation?＋−

There are loans that cover the purchase and the renovation together. Banks treat old buildings differently, so talk to us once you have a house in mind. We explain it as "how much more or less than your current rent per month".

Can you actually find a good old house?＋−

We search with you. From the akiya banks and the open market we pick, with a builder's eye, the houses that gain value once repaired. Viewings are free. Houses that look flawed to a layperson are often the ones that come cheap and finish well.

Nothing is decided yet. Can I still ask?＋−

That is the stage most people come to us at. No house, no budget — that is fine. Tell us what you pay in rent and what you want next, and we explain how to proceed.

Projects

What it actually cost.

Three projects in Toyama. All figures are construction only, excluding the purchase and fees.

The living room after, with the TV unit — AFTER

Toyama City

A family of four's home for ¥8 million.

Work: Full renovation of both floors
Joinery: Alcove and closet to TV unit
Period: 2 months
Cost: ¥8M

Photos →

The kitchen and tatami room before — BEFORE

The living space with insulation and underfloor heating — AFTER

Toyama

Kitchen and tatami room, one open living space.

Work: Spray-foam insulation, underfloor heating
Aim: End the winter temperature gap
Period: 2 months
Cost: ¥9M

Photos →

The stairwell with exposed beams after renovation — AFTER

Toyama

Tatami room to stairwell. A whole new layout.

Work: Major layout change
Use: Opened as a minpaku
Period: 4 months
Cost: ¥9M

Photos →

→ Projects with photos

Quick check

Which route fits you, in 30 seconds.

Four questions. Nothing to type, nothing to sign up for.

The route that suits you

Start by knowing your budget.

1. MoneyWe ask about your rent, preferred area and family. No house needed yet. Together we work out the total you can carry comfortably.

2. Search togetherWe look for houses that gain value once repaired and join the viewings. Before you buy, we tell you whether it can be fixed and what it costs. Viewings are free.

3. Inspection and planWe check the building and set out the scope and cost, including insulation and seismic work. The total is fixed here.

4. Construction and handoverThe work takes two to four months. We think handover is where it really starts, and we are here after you move in.

The house can stay

Start with "what could we afford?"

No house, no budget — that is fine. Tell us your current rent and we start from there.

Message us on LINE Ask via the form

By phone (Japanese only) 9:00 - 17:00 After 17:00, site manager (Japanese only)

The search, and the costs.

What we look at during a viewing, what insulation costs. Details here.

Help finding a house → Costs → Company housing or a staff dormitory →

Written by Kota Makimura, Hokuriku Homes Updated 2026-10-10

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