There is a large group of people who prefer older homes due to their character and looks. Some prefer to purchase these older homes and flip them for a profit. Either way, because of their age, these homes have to be renovated before anyone can reside in them. Renovating an older house is very different from working on a newer house. Here are a few of the things you should look out for when renovating your new abode or investment.
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Outdated Plumbing
Plumbing issues are prevalent in most older homes, mainly due to the age of the systems as well as the materials used. In the past, contractors used galvanized pipes in a home’s plumbing systems. These pipes corrode over time, get clogged, and have even been deemed dangerous in some places. Ensure that you remove the older plumbing system and replace the piping with PVC or copper pipes as these do not pose the same problems.
Outdated Electrical Systems
The law requires that all electrical systems in a home or property have to be up to code before anyone moves in. Older homes have outdated electrical systems and might require an overhaul, which includes updating the wiring and electrical panels to support modern appliances. Additionally, you need to ensure your electrical system is up to code to reduce your home insurance costs.
Hazardous Materials
With the many rules, regulations, and laws in place to protect homeowners from hazardous building materials, it is easy to forget that houses used to be built using dangerous materials. The one used in most older homes is lead. Lead was present in the paints used in these older homes.
When lead paint is left alone, it is usually not harmful. However, it will be disturbed during the renovation and end up posing a risk. It is therefore important to ensure that the contractor doing the renovations has the right certifications to work with, remove, and contain the spread of lead particles. The contractor should have RRP certification which ensures they are certified to renovate, repair and repaint houses built before 1978.
Outdated Layout
In the past, homes used to have a closed-off layout, with the open-plan most of us know coming to the fore recently. If you want to modernize an older house, you need to think about working with a contractor, architect, or engineer to change the layout. Because these layout changes will often call for structural changes, ensure you hire a contractor and expect additional charges for the changes.
Series of Bad Renovations
If your house has had more than one owner, there are chances that it has undergone multiple improvements and renovations. In some cases, these renovations might not have been done by a professional. Some of these bad renovations will be easy to spot while some will only present themselves once you start working on the house yourself.
Purchasing an older home can be a great option, especially if you know you can sell it in the future. However, older homes come with some issues that you need to be aware of before and after you start renovating them.
