Being a homeowner is tough on its own, but it’s an entirely different animal when you decide to purchase a fixer-upper. Taking on the task of updating an old home comes with a myriad of potential challenges.
When you’re searching for that old home to transform into your dream home, you don’t really know what to expect until after you’ve purchased it and begun tearing it apart. There could be unexpected water damage, cracks in the foundation, leaks, mildew, plumbing issues, electrical wiring issues, sewage issues, etc. that you really do not know about until after you’ve purchased the home. It’s important to keep yourself informed on what to expect when investing in a fixer-upper home. Here are five tips to get you started!
1. Cleanup Time
This is a really good place to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed about the massive undertaking that is “renovation”. The first thing will be to remove any belongings that you don’t want damaged, debris, old furniture and appliances, as well as any old fixtures you’re probably going to replace. The whole house (a.k.a. any rooms you’re renovating) should be a blank canvas. The next step will be to sweep all the floors and dry vacuum your space. It will be counter-productive to take the cleaning any further because you will immediately undo any of your hard work during the renovation process, so just stop there. Once this is completed, you will feel so much better about moving forward with your dream home project.
2. Your Pet’s Needs
As a homeowner you’re goal is to achieve ultimate comfort for yourself and whoever else will be residing in that space. What about if you have pets? Whether they’re indoor or outdoor, they’re definitely going to need a place to poop. Pet waste can be an absolute pain to deal with, and it is something so minor and mindless to have to deal with on top of a massive renovation project. One of the best and most convenient ways to keep pet waste in your lawn to a minimum is to subscribe to a pet waste removal service. For pet owners in the Naperville area, you might want to consider a pet butler. Those with dogs probably deal with a lot of dog poop cluttering their yards, and might be interested in pet waste removal naperville il and other places in the chicagoland area. Another convenient service these types of businesses offer is a dog walking service, just in case you’re a little too busy with the home renovation to take your best friend on a walk. If you think your dog or other pet deserves a pet butler, or you struggle to keep up with scooping the poop and keeping a clean yard, then a pet waste removal service is just what you should consider subscribing to.
3. Protect Your Home
The risks of owning an old home for homeowners are substantial, as previously mentioned. In order to properly protect your home you will need insurance, so be sure to do a little research on which insurance company will be the best fit for you and your home. A good place to start is with homeowners insurance, and you may want to consider flood insurance if you live in an area that experiences heavy rain or if your old home has a basement which could flood. You should also obtain proper licensing before beginning your renovation process.
4. Assess the Risk
You definitely should be aware of if your house poses a risk of floods. If you have an old home with a basement, then flooding should be of concern to you. Sometimes the leaks and floods are not evident at the surface, but are revealed once you’ve opened up the floors and walls to reveal damages like mold growth and water damage. You should consult with a professional to solve these issues because attacking mold with bleach will not permanently alleviate the issue and the mold will actually continue to grow. There is also the scary reality of a full-on flood situation in your basement. Whether it’s inches of water or a large amount of water, a flooded basement is something to concerned about. If you’re not sure what you should do if your basement floods is to, again, contact a professional, such as a professional plumber, to help you pinpoint the source of the flooding. A professional plumber will be the best contender for identifying and fixing a burst pipe and can also help you install a floor drain and a new sewer line. It might also be good for you to invest in a dehumidifier to speed up the drying process of your wet basement after the source of your basement flood has been identified and alleviated. Owning and operating a dehumidifier will also help reduce the growth of mold.
5. Updating Appliances
A big part of making that old home have a nice and updated feel is by investing in new appliances. New appliances and hardware like faucets and cabinet handles offer a detailed extra touch to your new home. Before shopping for that new fridge, dishwasher, light fixture, or other electric appliance, be sure that your main electrical service panel as well as your wiring through the house is up to code. Contact your local electrician for professional assistance with this task, unless you have proper licensing to do so yourself. If you’re purchasing a gas stove, make sure that you consult with the local gas company to make sure that your house is up to code in that regard as well.
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