Every old house comes with a story. Everyone passionate about history or renovation has seen on TV or the Internet the process of renovating old buildings and the many stories behind them. Considering that over 30% of American homes were built before the 1960s, many hide real treasures ready to be discovered. But is it worth it to renovate an old house? In this article, we will explore the upsides and downsides of renovating an old house, but the best thing you should do is consult with an HHC contractor. We have had the opportunity to renovate an old house, from the 1960’s and I have enjoyed every second. It is a dream to do this with an older property.
Unique Features
An older home is full of personality. There will undoubtedly be antique woodwork, elaborate molding details, and unusual light fixtures and fittings. Older houses also come with valuable furniture made of resistant materials to be repaired or painted. Even with improvements, you’ll be able to maintain some of the original characters while modernizing and personalizing them.
Older houses are treasure hunting, and you might have the luck of finding high-value collectibles. Also, many ancient places, especially from the 19th century, have secret rooms or hidings that could be repurposed to fit your modern needs.
Lower Pricing
You might purchase older houses at a lower price. You’ll likely spend less for an older home that needs a fix-up than you would for a new one. This investment will save you thousands of dollars in the long run if you have a detailed plan and know when to look for deals, and also, if you handle the improvements yourself, you’ll have a terrific investment.
There are many ways you can save money when renovating an old house, but the main idea is always to have a well-structured plan, down to the smallest detail. To ensure the success of your renovation in time, eliminating the risk of unwanted events, the best idea would be to reach out to an HHC contractor.
Longevity
One feature of old houses that still makes them valuable is their durability against time and external factors. Since people built many of the old houses in the US during 1900, there is a high chance that they used materials such as stone, brick, timber, and earth. During those times, builders began employing concrete spread footings or reinforced cement foundations for building strength.
While the plumbing and electrical systems may need to be updated, the home’s construction is typically solid. Before starting the renovation, it is necessary to talk with an electrician about the changes you need to make to keep better track of your expenses and ensure the safety of your new home.
Downsides and How to Prevent Incidents
Every new house comes with its flaws. Even if they are not visible at first glance, these imperfections can pose difficulty in renovating an old house. Renovations may take longer than expected. During remodeling, surprises are expected. A frequent problem that mostly goes undetected until the actual renovation is the presence of lead-based paint that could pose a severe threat to your health.
Your goals, pricing, and timing will almost certainly alter, and it won’t always be for the better. For this reason, the best solution that saves both money and time is to prevent incidents by doing a detailed analysis of the house before buying it or before starting the renovation. We have been renovating our home, which was built in the 1960’s, you can see our progress in the home section.
