OLD HOME RENOVATION, RESTORING, AND REMODEL
Do you want to renovate your abandoned house, or did you buy a historic house? Whichever the case, you might be wondering how to renovate, restore or remodel your old home. Having an old house is great, but you need to add comfort, value, and functionality to modernize your family. (Bawden, 2020)
You need to know several things about fixing up an old house, what to do, the cost, and the time it will take. Luckily, Smart Remodeling LLC has experience in old house remodels, and they can help you restore your old house with top ideas.
What is the Difference between Renovation, Restoring, and Remodeling?
Renovation, restoration, and remodeling all seem like the same thing. However, each of them is different. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the differences between these terms and what each involves so that you can choose the right one for your old house. (Lyon, 2016)
Renovation is the process of improving the condition of a particular building. That can involve upgrading the components without changing the original design. That is done to increase the resale value of buildings.
Remodeling means transforming the layout of the building entirely. It involves changing the space usage, and it can be expensive than renovation. Remodeling a house needs professionals like electricians, plumbers, and the like.
Lastly, restoration involves returning home to its former state. That is mainly done to maintain the heritage of historical buildings. Professionals recreate the structure to match its function and appearance.
ProTip Takeaway: Research the three basic processes you can do to your house to know the cost of each technique. That will aid you in selecting the best project depending on your budget.
What is the Average Cost of Restoring an Old House?
Now that you are familiar with the above terms, we can go straight to the cost of restoring an old house. What is the cost of renovating a 100-year-old house? Can you do an old house remodel project on a budget? These could be some of the old houses remodel costs questions you have in mind.
Some several factors and variants contribute to the overall cost of renovating and remodeling an old home. You need to consider the cost of materials, size of every room, remodel extent, and underlying problems, among others.
It can be tough to estimate the average cost you will incur when remodeling or renovating your old house. It would help if you thought about labor, structural repairs, cabinetry, appliances, and much more.
The average cost of remodeling and renovating an old home is $46,777. Many homes take between $18,153-$76,388. The bathroom and the kitchen take most of the cost. The kitchen can take up to $25,000, while the bathroom can take up to $10,000. (O’Keefe, 2020)
|
PROJECT |
COST |
|
Roof |
$5,500 - $10,500 |
|
Basement |
$11,000 - $30,000 |
|
Kitchen |
$4,500 - $50,000 |
|
Bathroom |
$6,000 - $35,000 |
|
Exterior |
$5,000 - $15,000 |
|
Bedroom and Living Room |
$1,500 - $5,500 |
ProTip Takeaway: When buying materials for restoring your old house, purchase them from local suppliers. Local suppliers sell the materials at an affordable price.
How long does it take to remodel an Old Home?
After determining the cost, you need to know how long the whole process will remodel your old house. The duration it takes depends on the remodel.
If you want a cosmetic to remodel, it can take a few days up to 3 months. In this type of project, the general work involved includes flooring replacement, interior, and exterior painting, new countertops, and appliances.
A medium remodeling can take some weeks up to 6 months. The general work involved is adding a garage, adding a fireplace, and remodeling the kitchen entirely.
For a major remodel, the project can take from6 months to more than one year. This process involves house lifting, foundation repair, adding a secondary store, and structural repair. (Paul, 2015)
ProTip Takeaway: For fast remodeling of an old home, it would be best if a homeowner work with a contractor who involves other sub-contractors in the project
Read Also: 15 Things You Need to Know Before a Home Remodel
Remodeling an Old House on a Budget- Things to Restore and Replace
When fixing up your old home, what do you choose to restore and replace? When it comes to restoration, select things that can be tough to replicate or replace if they are still in good condition. These items include: (Bawden, 2020)
Floors
Most of the old homes are made of hardwood that is easy to refinish. Remove the built-in carpets and inspect the floors for insect or water damage, cracking, and warping. If the condition of the floor is good, you can refinish it to maintain the vintage look.
Fireplace
You will most probably find a fireplace in every room in most century homes. It is excellent to reveal the initial fireplace and restore it to meet your home updating needs.
Trim and Molding
If the old house has original baseboards, molding, and trim, you can sand them and refinish them with a color stain of your choice. Doing this will also save you renovation costs as compared to installing new. If the house doesn’t have baseboards, molding, and trims, you can purchase these components and fix them in the missing places.
Windows and Doors
Many historic homes are designed with wavy and stained glass windows. It can be tough to replicate these windows, so you should consider maintaining the original windows. However, check the sills and the frames for damages from water or insects.
When it comes to the doors, many old houses have heavy and large solid doors. You can sand the doors to keep the home’s vintage look instead of replacing them.
Things to Replace
Other things in the house will need to be replaced, especially water ad insect damage. Some of them include:
Roof
While the roofs of old houses last longer, you might as well require a new roof. The houses are commonly designed with slate roofs which can be less costly.
Items with lead or asbestos
After buying your old house, it is crucial to get a professional to inspect the home. They should identify common hazards like asbestos or lead that were commonly used in insulation before 1978.
Wiring
Your old house's electrical wiring might not match the modern codes. Therefore, you need to upgrade the electrical system to suit the new building codes.
Plumbing
It is also essential to inspect the plumbing of your old home. If it contains lead pipes, you should replace them because the lead can leach the water. If the pipes are made of galvanized steel, there is a high risk of rusting and corroding. If the house has copper plumbing, you can choose to retain it but have it inspected thoroughly for leaks and corrosion.
Heating & Cooling System
Many historic homes don’t have air conditioners. Instead, they used fireplaces or wood-burning stoves. If you buy an old house with a boiler, you can choose to replace it and keep the radiators if they are still working well. If the previous owner had also installed an air conditioner, check if it is functioning well. However, if it has been there for more than 10 years, it is great to replace it.
Essential Things You Should Know When Restoring an Old Home
When considering restoring, remodeling, or renovating your old home, keep these tips in mind, especially if you are doing it for the first time. (Kim, 2018)
Don’t Pay Upfront
You should not pay the total cost on the first day. Instead, come up with specific dates and the goals you want to be met. After this, you can pay 20% upfront, which is convenient for you and the company.
Extra Backup
While we all have a set budget, it is essential to have some backup cash (at least ¼ of the whole amount). Sometimes things can end up costing more than the estimated price. Always have some backup money for that and other unexpected projects.
Time Schedule
Your contractor will provide a rough estimate of the completion time. Whichever guess time you get, always add two months to that. It is always a good idea to include the completion date in the contract. That will give you a realistic time frame, and workers also get the specific goals they need to reach.
Are You Ready For Your Old House Remodeling In Houston and the Surrounding Areas
If you managed to get a historic home after searching in real estate listings, you now have the right ideas for renovating, restoring, and remodeling it into a 21st-century home. We have covered essential information that you need to know about the whole project. You can always look for a home remodeling company near you qualified and provide the best old home renovation and restoration services more information. Get help from us by contacting us at 832-800-8889.