When was the last time you renovated an old house? Many of us have never attempted a home renovation before. Even if you did, there is a huge chance that this is not a residential home that is over 50 years of age. Old houses that can be considered historic if it is more than 50 years old and meets other criteria. But historic or not, your old home requires a renovation done right the first time.
Too many homeowners attempted to renovate a very old house only to fail in different areas. Most of the time, the fault is in how they plan, budget, and time the project. If you really want to get the most out of your old home’s renovation, make sure you don’t make the following common mistakes.
Starting Too Soon
Many homeowners who recently acquired an old house would want to start the renovation the soonest time possible. Your intentions may be to beautify the house while ensuring its safety. But if possible, don’t rush renovation the process and live in it before the major overhaul.
Get a feel of the house and experience living inside it for at least a week. Write down the necessary maintenance and repairs before you move on to your desired improvements. Doing this will give you a better grip of what projects to tackle, how much money you need to prepare, and how long the renovation is likely to take.
Experts recommend planning the renovation a few months before the starting date. This way, you can learn about every aspect of the renovation without missing a detail. This will also give you enough time to find your dream renovation team.
Opting to DIY Everything
Some homeowners would rather DIY some projects to save money on their renovations. While there are tasks you can safely do on your own, there are simply other projects worth left in the hands of the pros. Failure to determine which ones you should hire the pros for can only lead to even bigger renovation costs.
When it comes to historic old houses, you are better off working with a reputable team that can create a residential architectural design on your behalf. Renovating an old house is hard enough. Attempting a historic home renovation is even a trickier job.
The pros can help you create your desired design while keeping in mind your home’s special requirements. You no longer need to worry about the necessary permits and licenses as the pros will make sure they got all these covered. You can simply tell them your dream project so that they can do all the hard work for you.
Skimping on Your Materials
Having a limited budget is not an excuse for opting for cheaper materials. This is not to say that all cheap materials are low-quality. It is important that you assess the requirements of your renovation.
Remember that you will only get to enjoy what you pay for. You can’t expect to acquire high-quality results if you opted for cheap materials that won’t last long. Some might not even function as they should, which will only double your expenses in the long run.
Skipping the Preparation Process
One major mistake anyone can make is to skip the prep work. If you are going to do a home renovation, be sure to do it right the first time. This includes measuring everything accurately for the first time and measuring again before you buy or change anything.
One can’t stress enough just how big of a difference an inch can have on any project. You don’t want your project to be missing a few inches just because you forgot to measure and double-check the measurement. If you are not sure how to do this, it is best to call someone who knows how to measure dimensions accurately.
Dedicating time for the prep work also saves you time in the long run. The more time you get to save, the better. This is since the more time your spend on the prep work, the less time is needed to correct mistakes and the more savings you get to enjoy.
Forgetting About Energy Efficiency
Home efficiency may be the least of your worries during the renovation. You can always upgrade your HVAC system and invest in energy-efficiency home appliances in the long run. But by forgetting energy efficiency when planning for the renovation, you are already putting your family’s comfort at risk.
Failure to prioritize home efficiency also increases your costs in the long run. Remember that an energy-efficient home has lower expenses, more savings, and have lesser impact on the environment. Embrace home efficiency at the soonest time possible and reap the benefits after.
Renovating old houses is no easy task. There are so many considerations concerning the home’s structure, safety, and comfort. But a successful renovation is not impossible. With proper planning, you can enjoy your dream home with fewer bumps down the road.
