There are so many old houses in existence that just need to be fixed up; the first step is to decide if you want to do it on your own or hire out. You may not have been able to find the perfect house for your family, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make one.
Choosing whether to rehab an old house on your own or hire out is a tough choice. You’ll need to make some major repairs and upgrades, but it will be worth it in the end. So whatever choice you make, you have to ensure that it will benefit your family.
Here’s what you need to consider when you’re opting to rehab on your own or hiring out:
1. Determine what needs to be fixed
Before you go buying building materials and renting equipment, you have to find out what, exactly, needs to be fixed. This will allow you to estimate the initial, overhead, and final costs of the project you’re planning to undertake.
If you’re planning to work on it yourself, you’d better have a good, sturdy pair of shoes. This is because you might have to tear out any old or damaged flooring, and lay new flooring before putting in the new cabinets, countertops, sinks, bathroom fixtures, heating and cooling systems, and much more.
2. Hire a contractor
As much as you may want to do this on your own, you should hire a contractor to help you. While it may be cheaper for you, hiring out means that someone will take care of all the hard work. Plus, it saves you from all the heavy lifting.
For instance, if there are plenty of holes in the roof, you should contact residential roofing services instead of attempting to do it alone. Aside from it being a much safer option, it’s also much more cost-effective. So, contractors are highly recommended for certain repair jobs.
3. Plan the remodel in stages
If you’re working with a limited budget, it may be best that you plan to rehab your old house in stages. You don’t have to do everything at once, but you can add in a new feature now and then. This will allow you to gradually boost the value, all while your family gets to enjoy the house every step of the way.
For instance, if the old house only has one bathroom, you can make it a bit more modern by redoing the flooring and putting up new cabinets before finally installing a brand-new sink and toilet. If the kitchen is perfectly functional, you can just improve its look by getting new countertops and cabinets before finally adding a brand new stove and refrigerator.
4. Remodel the house to fit your family’s needs
Make the house better reflect the needs of your family by updating all of its features to be more modern. You can reduce clutter by adding built-in storage space; you can also make the house more energy-efficient and eco-friendly with green solutions.
For instance, you can replace the old windows with energy-efficient ones. If the house is too hot in the summer, install an AC unit that’s energy-efficient. Installing solar panels may be harder, but it’s definitely worth the investment.
You could also replace old plumbing fixtures with water-efficient ones. Another option is to install a greywater recycling system, as well as a rainwater catchment system. Through all these updates, you can slowly restore the old house to its former glory.
5. Know how much it will cost
You have to estimate the costs for each stage of renovation. If you’re doing it yourself, this will help you decide what to upgrade first and how much time you need to invest. You can also determine whether you’re able to afford all of these upgrades.
It will cost a lot, but it’s worth it in the end. So after you’ve finished checking what needs to be replaced or repaired, create a budget and start saving up. This will help you determine how much you should save, and what exactly to focus on.
6. Stay within your budget
It is possible to stay on budget by choosing quality materials over cheaper alternatives. Talk to contractors, read reviews, and find out which brands are better than others before you pick materials or fixtures.
This way, you can be sure that the old house will look great and that you won’t end up having to spend more money. Plus, if you pick a brand that’s well-known for excellent customer service, you can save money by getting warranty coverage.
7. Move in and enjoy!
After you’ve finished your renovation, get your family to move in. You can stay at a hotel or with friends if the house isn’t livable yet, but make sure that they’re done fixing the problems before you get them to move in.
So now that you know the big picture, start planning! You can do your research online, talk to contractors, and assess the current condition of the house. But remember to choose quality over price! You may have to play it safe and spend more money, but it’s better than having to do the whole process over again because of a bad decision.
