Potential buyers often prefer buying an old house and remodeling it. It usually costs less than buying a new home with the best features. They can buy cheap and renovate the house according to their wish. Older houses have unique characteristics that stand out from the designs used today.
These homeowners will come to your door in hopes of a full-scale remodeling project. Renovating an old house can be challenging. Let us go over some of the most important factors.
Foundation
The foundation of any home should be strong. Unfortunately, time can be an enemy to them, and older homes develop problems in the foundation. These will come to the front as you start your work. The slope on the floor increases, and the doors won’t close fully. This settling of the house also causes cracks, which makes the foundation susceptible to water seepage.
You can counter this by slab-jacking the foundation. This is done by pumping gout underneath the beams to push it back to the elevation it was on before. After the house is leveled, it is then time to seal the cracks. Take special care of the damages which can let water into the foundation. Prioritize drainage as otherwise, it can pose problems in the future.
Materials Used
The exiting materials & fittings used in the house are undoubtedly old. There is a high chance that a bunch of those fittings won’t be available this time around. Old construction used different techniques; even the layout of the house would be different. Nowadays, the rooms are more spacious compared to the small rooms and long hallways of before.
Use close alternatives for as many of them as possible if your client wants to preserve the house’s old aesthetic; try to get the fittings from salvage stores or rescue centers.
Hazardous Materials
The safety guidelines were quite different back then. People knew little about the long term affects some of the materials could have. If the house was constructed years before, it might have lead-based paint. There was another material used during that time, which was hazardous – asbestos.
Prolonged asbestos exposure can cause some serious respiratory problems. It is best to check for both of them and change the flooring and paint accordingly. Here’s a word from our experts on the types of flooring to consider.
Wiring & Plumbing
These can turn out to be deep-rooted problems. Technology has made great strides in the past years. The reliance on electronics has increased a lot, which means that the older houses won’t have enough electrical fittings.
Check the wiring of the house thoroughly, along with the plumbing. Look for damaged parts and replace them. If the system is not working properly, change it completely. Safety should be of utmost importance while dealing with electricity to keep both your staff and your client safe.
Regardless of the problems, renovating an old house is quite the experience! You get to see our predecessors’ work closely, from which you can learn some long lost techniques or get a different perspective.
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