From Spooky to the Neighborhood’s Pride and Joy: Old House Renovations and Tips to Inspire You

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Old House Renovations

Thinking of renovating your home? Did you know that renovations on the interior can take anywhere from a few weeks to months? Are you considering old house renovations, and want to know what’s worth it and what’s not? In this article, explore old house renovation ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Read on to discover these top tips to take your old home from boring to a classic. 

Why Make Old House Renovations?

The pros are that these homes are built to last for the long-term instead of for a short time. You might have to do updates as far as electrical or plumbing, but the structure of the home is normally strong. 

Even if you’re buying and renovating an old house, you can keep the old charm that it has. You can make it your own while keeping the unique features. 

Potential Cons

Keep in mind that while old homes might cost less to buy, renovations can add up quickly. For example, you’ll want to estimate how much plumbing, electrical, or other renovation costs you’re considering will be. Since old homes are unique in their own right, renovations can take more time and money than you might expect. 

  1. Inspect Electricity

Before exploring different old house renovation ideas, it’s a good idea to check your electrical system. Find out what type of breaker box you have, and if there are any dangers of overheating or potential fires from it. 

  1. Use Hand Tools

Keep in mind that most woodwork in old homes is built with hand tools. Don’t be afraid to use hand tools to help renovate your home. Certain features of an old home, such as hand planes, can’t be made with today’s machines. 

  1. Research

Buying and renovating an old house can take time and expertise, it’s a good idea to research before you begin. Check out Youtube for some design inspiration. 

  1. Coming up With Your Vision

Before you begin any old house renovations, you’ll want to come up with a plan. Take a look at the present layout, and decide how you can make better use of the space. Decide what appliances need to be replaced, and which don’t. 

Is there a certain feature of your home you like and want to place in other parts of your home? Such as the hardwood flooring in the dining room? 

Decide what needs to go as far as laminate flooring in the kitchen, or flowery wallpaper. Any changes you make, ensure that you have the proper permits necessary. Historic homes will have more requirements as far as what you can and can’t change. 

  1. Know Your Limits

Know your limits as far as your budget and what you can and can’t do. Any electrical or plumbing updates are best left to the experts. If you try to fix any of these problems on your own, you might wind up causing a larger issue later on. 

  1. Knowledge is Power

If you’re not sure what to do next, it’s best to research potential contractors. Before you choose one, you’ll want to read reviews, find out what insurance they have in case of an accident, and see what they specialize in. This will help you avoid any further damage that’s done. 

  1. Wood Rot

Make sure that your old home doesn’t have any rotten wood. You’ll want to check around the exterior of your home, and for any trouble spots as well.

Check all wood pieces, window frames, siding, and handrails. Ensure that you check every year for any changes you’ll need to make to avoid bigger investments later on. 

  1. Lead Paint

You’ll want to test the home to see if there’s any lead paint in the trim, windows, or doors. It’ll need to be replaced if it’s not in good shape, or is peeling. Lead paint should be replaced right away especially if you have young children. 

For renovating around lead paint, you’ll need to take extra safety precautions to keep you and your family safe. Lead in homes built before 1978 is common. 

  1. Electrical Updates

Keep in mind that electrical updates you’ll find in older homes rarely meet code requirements. Replace any electrical fixtures, the main panel, and any old wiring. Lighting in your home will work better and be safer after updates are made. 

  1. Carpentry

You can do your own old house renovations when it comes to doing your own carpentry. If there’s anything you’re stuck on, see if you have a local friend who can help you with any finishing touches, such as building a fence. 

  1. Pressure Wash

Before you put a fresh layer of paint up, it’s a good idea to pressure wash your home first. You can pressure wash it yourself instead of hiring a contractor. 

This is a great way to take a look at any leaks in your roof and patch them up. Roof leaks might be a necessary call to a roofer to ensure that you don’t need your entire roof replaced. It’s best to get an estimate from multiple roofers since replacing a roof can be expensive. 

Exploring Old House Renovations

Now that you’ve explored the top tips for old house renovations you should have a better idea of what next step to take for your home. You should be able to decide as well which renovations are worth it, and which aren’t. 

Looking to read more about home and lifestyle? For everything from interior design to lifestyle tips, check out our other articles today.

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