Ski Bunnyville? You're making that claim to ME ... who has but one big rock between himself, and Lake Tahoe?
Perhaps that economic bar you mention is what inspired this thread. As I had mentioned, we don't see many old places being replaced. The cummulative effect of the code changes seems to be to make the jump - from 'old' to new' - ever higher, a leap fewer can manage each year.
Just to take the one example of a 'safety improvement' that seems most justified: the GFCI.
In my house, the only bath receptacle is in the base of the sink light. Even if they made sink lights with GFCI's built into them, such would not meet the code requirement for a bath-only 20 amp circuit.
IF there had been a receptacle in the bath, a GFCI device would not fit in the box.
Going to the fuse box, well, there are no GFCI fuses.
So, in order to get a code-compliant GFCI in the bathroom, we're looking at a $2000 job: service change and new circuit. With fire-blocking at 4 ft. and 8 ft., putting that receptacle at counter height is going to be a challenge.
Let's jump to the 2008 edition, and decide to add AFCI protection. Since the house was originally wired with all the lights and receptacles on a single multi-wire branch circuit ..... and there are neither AFCI devices, nor two-pole AFCI breakers (anymore) ..... you're looking at a complete rewire, including the removal / replacement of a section of the outside asbestos-cement siding.
While we're at it, let's add the 2008 required phone jack - even though I had my phone 'land line' discontinued in 2005
Another challenge is complying with the 1996 edition's requirement for a 'laundry outlet.' Apart for there not being space within the building for even a stack unit, we run up against the plumbing code. That is, this place was built with a 1-1/2" drain line; the plumbing code specifies a minimum 2" drain for a washer. As a result, you're talking about digging up the parking area, re-plumbing to the city sewer, and repaving after. That is a mighty expensive receptacle!
