Move or improve?

My husband and I want to remodel or rebuild a home that has been in the family over 60 years.  We want to stay in that spot but don't know the best way to go.  Is it more cost effective to remodel or rebuild?  Is is more cost effective to go out (addition) or go up?  Is a steep pitched roof much more expensive than an average pitched roof?  Do peaks add a lot more to the cost of the roof?  Thank you for your response!

name: Nadine

You ask a lot of questions that can be answered in several different ways, so I'm going to give it my best shot.  Regarding if it is more cost effective to build or remodel - I believe that it depends on the neighborhood and house you live in.  If you love your neighborhood, if you like your neighbors, if your neighborhood has and is continuing to appreciate in value, and you see yourself staying in the house for another 10 years, then I feel it can be more cost effective to remodel.  Regarding going up or out - in most cases it is more cost effective to go out rather than go up.  This depends on other factors such as access to your area of enlargement, the type of house and yard, difficulty of adding a staircase.  Regarding roofs - higher pitched roofs are more expensive and adding peaks will add expenses as well.  I hope this helps.  Jake