If you inherit an old home, chances are there might be some projects that need to be completed to bring the house back to life. However, renovating an older property can be a considerable undertaking, and there will be a lot of planning and financial investment involved. Once you complete the renovation, you can end up with an enormously valuable asset that is a true gem. But how do you prepare to restore an old house?
To get a better idea of what needs to be done, you can walk around the house and assess each room. If you are uncomfortable doing this yourself, you can hire a home inspector to help you evaluate the property. Once you have an idea of what needs to be done, you can develop a renovation budget and create a plan of attack. Renovating an old home is more like a marathon instead of a sprint, and it could take a considerable amount of time to get everything accomplished. Let’s look at some of the things you will need to do.
Focus on major systems first.
The home’s major systems will need to be shored up first before you embark on any other major repairs or renovations. The plumbing, electrical, roofing, and HVAC system must be thoroughly evaluated. If there are major issues with any of these systems, it could prohibit any other projects that need to be completed. Old houses are notorious for having unreliable electricity and plumbing, so you may have to start from scratch with your renovations. These areas will also require a significant portion of your budget, depending on the home’s condition.
Perhaps one of the most important systems you may need to tackle is the roof on the home. The roof protects all of the other structures around the home and needs to be in good shape before you start opening walls and ripping out ceilings. Depending on the materials and construction, a roof can last anywhere from 25 to 50 years. A professional roofing contractor can help you evaluate the structure and determine what needs to be completed. Based on your location, you can search for “roofer in Atlanta,” for example, to find a qualified contractor in your area.
Tackle all of the bathrooms at one time.
Another important tip for renovating your old house is to work on all of the bathrooms at the same time. In many cases, you can get discounts on materials when buying in bulk. As a result, you can purchase everything you need for all of your bathrooms at the same time at a discounted rate. Additionally, renovating your bathrooms will probably entail bath and shower replacement. Updating your bathrooms with new fixtures, faucets, and accessories will create beautiful spaces, however, older pipes might need some work to handle new showers, toilets, and sinks. If you need to rework any plumbing or pipes, it will be more cost-effective and easier to do it all at one time. You will need a qualified plumber to help with these renovations.
Take it one room at a time.
Aside from repairing your major systems and updating all of the bathrooms, your next step should be to take it one step at a time. Your renovation project can be overwhelming when you consider all you have to do. To simplify to process, take it one room at a time. You can use your original assessment to plan the projects in each room. Completing the necessary work one room at a time will give you a feeling of accomplishment and help reduce some of the renovation stress.
If you inherit an old house, you could have a diamond in the rough on your hands. There is a lot to love about old homes, from cool architecture to old-school character and vibes. To complete a successful renovation, you need to evaluate the major systems, focus on bathrooms, and take it one room at a time.
