Will this be considered new construction if I level the entire structure?

After some investigation he has come up with a figure around $220k or above for a new construction. 

Regardless of what I had I felt more comfortable in the construction business.  

Another option is visit construction products store. 

Your heart is in the right place, do you have funding and construction knowledge?

Usually you can pull thru a new neighborhood under construction and just walk up and ask the drywaller.

Getting a license requires trade specific experience like what Michael Paris said, it is best that you work for or work with a construction company at least a year or more depending on that requirement.

If you have existing equity you may walk-out with a little cash or no money out of pocket -- (this is a maybe, we do not have enough facts yet)Instead of financing your next purchase with money out of pocket, use the equity in your existing property to open a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit), use this inexpensive capital to fund your purchase and then later refinance to a permeant loan after construction and new enhanced value.

As an investor looking at University City, make sure you put a lot of research into the upcoming multi-billion-dollar project happening near Drexel.I'm not extremely familiar with all the details but know that it involves the construction of hundreds of apartment units and public space between the city of Philly and the University.

You see I am 59 years old and have been in construction since I was 17.