A cost-based decision framework for material reuse in building renovation

Determining the appropriate intervention for existing building materials is a critical decision in sustainable renovation, yet limited research has established quantitative methods. This study develops a cost-based decision framework that integrates physical condition assessment and cost estimation to support appropriate intervention strategies and establishes measurable criteria for economically informed decision-making in material reuse. An empirical case study of a historic building was conducted to derive and validate the framework. All costs for preservation, repair, and replacement were standardized using z-score normalization, and a Friedman test was applied to confirm statistically significant cost differences across intervention categories. The analysis identified an empirical repair-to-replacement cost threshold of 0.43, indicating that repair remains economical until its cost exceeds approximately 43% of the combined removal and replacement cost.By developing a cost-based decision framework for material reuse in building adaptation projects, this study fills a key research gap by quantifying the transition point between repair and replacement, allowing qualitative maintenance judgment to become a measurable decision parameter. Practically, it introduces a replicable, data-driven method that supports sustainable decision-making in renovation projects, promoting material reuse through informed decision-making, and establishes a foundation for integration with advanced technology-based decision-support systems.