Renovating an old house

Buying an old house and redesigning or even renovating an already existing house can be a challenging and an interesting job as well. It has some advantages and some disadvantages as well. We have had personal experience of buying an old house and renovating, repairing and rebuilding it in stages. Based on those experiences I am writing this article. When you are actually going through the experience it seems like a never ending task, but if planned well, the results can be more than satisfactory. And at the end of it you have a unique house because of all the different changes in the structure and the new additions.

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A few basic points to consider before undertaking repair or renovation work

First and foremost, we have to realise that remodeling or renovating a house has many limitations since you can only do so much because the structure is already there and you cannot change it completely. You have to plan well and make the best that you can. Breaking down a few walls and rebuilding them can be done but again within limitations since you cannot touch the major load bearing walls. Similarly changing doors and windows too can be done only when possible to do so.

For any major work like breaking down walls and changing the look of the house, it is better to hire someone who is experienced. Architects, designers, and contractors are professional people although they come with a price but well worth it when you consider the long term benefits. Hiring a professional with a good reputation is the best way to ensure a job well done.

When you decide to renovate your home, you have to deal with things step by step. According to many building experts, any electrical or plumbing issues should be taken care of first within the home, as these repairs can actually cause damage to your home and safety of people living within the house.

Since renovation is a private job, you become directly responsible for keeping records of your home improvement project, even when you have a professional doing the actual work. The contractor will do this for you based on what improvements or changes you want. It is advisable to Keep all of the paperwork related to the renovation project in a safe place. This may turn out to be very useful if you find yourself in a conflict with your contractor at some point in the future or doing the period itself or simply for your own future reference.

Make sure that you include all that you might think of into your budget. Unexpected expenditures can really add up, and one minor mistake or omission can break your entire budget and throw you off gear ! It is also wiser to add 20% extra cost, since most renovations tend to change course when work begins.It could be because of unforeseen circumstances or you want to add on something else !

Visiting paint and carpet stores and picking up color samples and fabric samples too help you in making the right decision. When you are prepared before hand, you will have the time to weigh the options and decide how best to approach your project and make the right color and design choice.

If in case, there is need to demolish walls or other parts of your home, the resulting debris needs to be relocated and disposed of in an efficient manner. So right at the beginning of undertaking the renovation project, have a designated area for debris to be collected and disposed off instead of letting it lie on the road blocking traffic and causing inconvenience to other people , as many people tend to do these days.

Finally, before you actually starting out  on your renovation project browse through some magazines and visit some shops to find good ideas about home improvement projects. Try looking through different decorating magazines or visiting your local book store or library.

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Renovating the living room

Flooring should be replaced if it is very old and worn out . Laying down a new floor surface is not the cheapest of home improvement projects, but it is one of the most beneficial ones in the long term and gives your home a brand new look.Changing windows is another option especially if they are small and are not able to let in enough day light and fresh air.But this requires much more work since you need to break down part of the window hole to make it larger.

When you come to the stage where you are ready to begin to paint the interior of your house, use a damp cloth to remove excess dirt, cobwebs, accumulated dust and grime from the walls and baseboards. The new paint will stay on better so that you will not have to put on an extra coat again in the near future or do any touch-ups.

If you are going to be painting the interior of a room you must gather material to cover your possessions or clear the room completely before painting. If paint ends up splattering on your furniture, it may be nearly impossible to remove it later. Use old sheets or newspaper to cover your furniture if they are heavy and cannot be moved. The best thing to do would be to put everything in the center of the room so that the walls can be painted without any disturbance.

Bathroom and Kitchen

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If you are redoing your bathroom and kitchen as well, it is a good idea to put exhaust fans in the kitchen above the stove, and in each bathroom. This makes for a clean and fresh smelling interior because, proper venting out of moist air lowers the humidity of the room thereby reducing the chance of developing a mildew or excessive moisture during rainy season.

It is also essential to repair any and all leaky taps. Little leaks can quickly become big leaks and those water droplets add up to wasted money and water which we can ill afford. The water leaking from your tap can also cause damage by staining the underneath of the sink or the wall near it and the floor. Such repairs do not cost a lot, or take much effort, however, it would save you a lot of trouble in the future !

If you need to remove any walls or drill through a wall to reach plumbing while doing repair works in your kitchen or bathroom, build up the entire half wall that is water-resistant to avoid future problems. These days you get water-resistant boards , commonly referred to as “green board” by contractors and those in the building industry. It can tolerate moisture to a great extent and will resist mold as well as water.

Changing the wall tiles or even adding on contrasting tiles can enhance the look of the bathroom without having to spend too much. However, once you have decided to give a make over to your bathroom/Kitchen , take a good look at everything that needs to be changed or replaced, making a list of all things .Depending on your budget you can plan accordingly. 

Your kitchen can be Brightened up by adding new cabinet handles and knobs! If your cabinets are old, it can be replaced now, and they can really spice up the way your kitchen/home looks. As you remove the old cupboards, clean the inside and outside of your cabinets for an easier experience. A clean spruced up look does wonders for any house or home.

Adding on a verandah or a Patio and repairing the Roof

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A Patio or Verandah gives you the extra space that you can put into good use during summer months or when you have guests at home and you find the sitting room over full. It is also a nice place to relax.It is not expensive since it requires a raised platform and a temporary roof made of any suitable material, even tiles placed on woodebn beams. A verandah can be made to look very attractive with comfortable easy chairs, cushions and potted plants and greenery.

If your roof is in need of repair, consider replacing your current roof with white tiles. Check your roof for any signs of damage. Check to see if there is curling or blistering and replace any that show damage. Repairing minor damages when they are first noticed, which  will help prevent having to have major work done later on down the road. Roof work can be expensive and tiled roof is the easiest to repair since all that is required is to replace the broken or damaged tiles.

A few safety precautions

1, When you have children around, you need to be extra careful. Keep your young children safe by padding the corners of your furniture. You can protect sharp furniture edges by using foam tape or buying specific child safety corner protectors. Another thing you can try is to tape dangerous wiring down that could be harmful to your children.

 2, When you are planning to make a home improvement project on your own, make it a point to buy high quality materials and tools. Purchasing high quality tools can be costly, but it is a very worthwhile investment that comes in handy all the time.

3, Make sure that there are no open holes and piles of sharp metal and granite pieces lying around your compound which can hurt any of you. It is better to have a pit or assign a corner in your garden where you can store or pile up the debris which can later be disposed off.

4, You can easily spend hours together getting involved in the renovation jobs especially if you plan to do it yourself with a couple of workers to help you. Make sure that you stay hydrated all the time since it is just as essential as safety equipment when it’s hot outside. Also, be sure to take a break from the manual labor to drink some water and enjoy the work you have accomplished.

5, Put in some hand rails where there are steps which looks good and creates a safer environment within your home. You can install them in your entry way, on sidewalks or on your deck or by the side of the stairway. Railings can especially help older individuals and children. You can ensure that your hand railings match the decor of your home, as there are many materials and styles available to choose from !

Conclusions

You can live in your home while renovating if you do it room by room instead of moving out. This will save you a lot of money, unless you are remodeling the only bathroom you have in which case of course you have to move out for a few days.

A good tip in deciding what kind of home improvement project to do is to take stock in what you would like to achieve. You will enjoy your home much more if it reflects who you are. Simple measures like perking up the path to your front door can change the whole look of your home and doesn’t cost much . Being innovative and trying out new ideas can be fun and satisfying since you are gong to see some positive changes in the way your home looks.

Also try and make use of all that is available to you and found within your home. An old wooden crate can actually be made into a Tea table with some minor alteration and a lick of polish or paint. Everyone has heard the saying “plant a tree for your tomorrow.” This can work for increasing the value of your property too.

Finally, It is wiser to know when to ask for assistance, rather than end up with a disastrous project.


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