There are many reasons why one may choose to undergo a home renovation project. If you live in an older house, however, you may be hesitant to make changes or renovate for fear of damaging the property or dampening its character. The notion that renovation costs may also be higher in older houses can also be off-putting when embarking on this kind of project.
Here’s a guide on where to start with renovation in an older home:
Materials
Firstly it’s important to assess the materials that the home was originally built with and if this limits the scope of your renovation. Renovation costs can increase if you’re working with materials that need modification or don’t compliment the way in which the house was originally built.
You may want to ask yourself whether the materials that your home is currently built with are suitable for the climate that the house is subjected to? It can change the nature of the project and significantly increase renovations costs if you’re having to add insulation, new windows etc.
Bring in the experts
It can be tempting to attempt DIY in order to keep renovation costs down. In the case of older houses, however, it’s often prudent to bring in an expert to carry out renovations.
Aging, worn materials, quirks, old wiring and structural issues can mean you may be out of your depth when attempting any renovation work yourself.
It is advisable to allocate some of your budget to hiring tradesmen to undertake your renovation. You are likely to find that the work is completed to a higher standard as they know how to work with some of the more specialised aspects of the project such as the installation of plumbing.
Windows
The key to a successful renovation is to know where to splurge. By using high-quality materials you really get your money’s worth as durable materials will need fewer repairs and replacements.
This rule applies especially in the case of windows. While you may wish to install vinyl windows to in order to keep renovation costs down, wood is a suitable alternative with greater longevity. A good quality wood, for example, is worth the investment, often lasting up to 100, years where vinyl will need replacing after 20.
Restructure Your Interior
If you live in an older house, chances are that some of the rooms have transcended their original functionality. Where the kitchen was only used for cooking, you may now wish to create space to entertain and relax.
One way to renovate an old home is to work with the space that you already have and restructure the interior. You could knock down a wall to create an open-plan space between the kitchen and living area and modernise the home whilst emphasising original features of the house to keep its character.
People often extend older homes in a bid to add value. It’s no coincidence that value often increases in direct correlation with any additional square footage. The number and size of bathrooms and bedrooms are often the first things a potential home buyer looks at when considering a property.
Rewiring
One of the biggest culprits in driving up renovation costs is the unexpected need to rewire a property. Older wiring systems may need to be replaced to be safer, or compatible with new appliances. It’s best to hire an electrician to carry out an assessment of the wiring in your home. If your home does need rewiring, it may cost up to $120 per hour, but it’s better to fork out for this than risk fire hazards, blowing appliances etc.
Thinking of starting a renovation project? Our team at iBuildNew can help you! Contact us on 1300 943 640 or customerservice@ibuildnew.com.au for free assistance in finding a builder.
Let us do the legwork for you.
- We’ll ask the right questions to better understand your needs
- We’ll create a recommended shortlist ideally matched to you
- We’ll answer specific questions or concerns related to home building, land purchasing or financing
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