Renovating an Older Home: The Essentials

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Buying an old fixer-upper is a great way to get on the property ladder and obtain a home that has lots of character. However, it is not without its challenges, and most older homes will need some (or a lot) of renovation work before they can be the cozy, comfy, desirable homes that we all know they can be. So, if you’ve recently bought an older home, or you’re considering doing so, here are a few things you may need to do:

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[ctt template=”4″ link=”121_b” via=”yes” ]Buying an old fixer-upper is a great way to get on the property ladder and obtain a home that has lots of character. However, it is not without its challenges, and most older homes will need some (or a lot) of renovation work If you are considering renovating an older home, here are a few things you may need to do.[/ctt]

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Replace the Windows

Older homes tend to have older windows which are much less energy efficient than modern ones. Stand by them, and you will almost certainly feel a draft. If that’s the case, then you're going to want to replace them with double or triple-glazed glass that will keep the heat in, the wind out and any unwanted exterior noises at bay.

Invest in a New Water Heater

A great many older homes have outdated water systems, which means that it can take an age for the water to heat up, or the shower pressure can be pretty terrible. Replacing the old water heater with an on demand water heater will solve the first problem while having the pipeworks replaced will deal with the latter. You need to be prepared for these expenses if you are investing in an older property.

Hang New Doors

If you’re lucky, your property’s old period doors will be in good condition and add lots of character to the place. However, you need to be prepared for doors that are misaligned, scuffed and…well just beyond repair. If your doors are unsavable, you will need to buy new ones, but instead of buying modern doors, try to buy a set that matches the period of your home to keep that cozy period atmosphere.

Roof Repairs

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Unless your property’s roof was repaired in the years before you bought it, there is a good chance that it will be in bad shape with tiles missing and holes and leaks. If that’s the case, it could cost you quite a lot to have it replaced, but you must do this if you don’t want to be dealing with damp and leaks in the very near future.

The Electrics May Need Attention

Sadly, many older homes have older electrics which don’t always conform to modern standards and which may be quite unsafe. It is, therefore, imperative that you have a qualified electrician look at the electrics in your period home and that you do replace the wiring if it needs done.

Dangerous Decking

Decking on older properties can quite often be very structurally unsound. Wood, as I’m sure you’ll know, is prone to rotting and it could, therefore, be quite dangerous for you to stand on it. So, if your period property has decking and it looks like it’s seen better days, you’re going to want to either remove it or replace it as soon as possible.

If you take care of these essentials, then with a new lick of paint, some nice new furniture and your own personal stamp, your older home will start to look truly amazing.

This is a contributed post.

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