When you're in the market for a new property, it's not always easy to make the right choice. You want a beautiful house in the ideal location, all within your price range. But you can rarely get everything you want from a property, and you will inevitably have to end up compromising on one aspect or another. When we first bought our house I could not see the potential. Luckily, George could and showed me all the things we could do to make our fixer upper into the house of our dreams.

We've all seen those old, historic homes that look like something out of a horror movie( think the Haunting of Hill House, side note, if you haven’t seen it you need to), but have you ever considered living in one? These homes are often in a state of disrepair and have long been unoccupied, but they generally come with a remarkably low price tag. By purchasing an old house, you can renovate and restore it to turn it into the home of your dreams. Woot woot! Plus, you will learn a lot of fun things along the way.

Renovating a property is a considerable undertaking, and there will be a lot of planning, hard work, and financial investment involved. But once the job is complete, you will have an enormously valuable asset on your hands and have saved yourself a lot of money along the way.

But how do you even begin to restore an old house? If you like the idea, but if you're unsure where to start, the following tips will help you get to grips with the process. Just take it one step at a time. This isn’t a sprint it’s a marathon.

Finding the right property

The first challenge is to find an old home to restore. Look on all the property listing sites and speak to real estate agents to find a property within your price range. It can be difficult to see the potential, but you need to use your imagination and look past the dilapidation and disrepair. Consider aspects that will add value, such as proximity to school and amenities, off-road parking, and the size of the lot. View several potential candidates and make a note of any serious issues. Most will be fixable but severe damage to the property's structure is a major red flag to avoid. Water damage and subsidence are the two main things to look for.

Create a plan

Now that you have found and purchased your property, it's time to create your vision. Walk around the house systematically, assessing each room as you go. What will it look like when the work is complete? Draw sketches of the finished product or use 3D home design software to visually bring your plan to life. You may also wish to create an inventory and a budget for your restoration work, detailing what you will need to get the job done and how much you can spend. This will keep you focused throughout the process and prevent you from stretching your finances too far.

Deconstruct

When beginning restoration work, you will need to work out which features of the home you want to restore, and which you want to get rid of. Strip wallpaper, remove unattractive fixtures, and old carpets to create a blank canvas on which to paint your creative vision.

Repair infrastructure

Your most important task is to prevent the condition of your new house from worsening. This means fixing roofs, walls, and windows to ensure your home is weatherproof and repairing any damage to its structure. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that the previous owner was as proactive as you’re going to be, and may have neglected the proper care for these structures. You should follow roofing tips for homeowners to ensure that you have the correct information about roof care and may want to add extra glazing to doors and windows and install insulation to keep the house warm and energy (thus cost!) efficient.

Fix electrics and plumbing

Old houses are notorious for having unreliable electricity and plumbing, so you may need to start from scratch. You may find that the electric bills are far higher than you would typically expect. This indicates that there is definitely some kind of issue, and potentially it could be dangerous. Now is the time to take care of these important aspects before you start major renovations. How you update the heating and electrics will depend on the amount of energy you expect to use, but any improvement will add a great deal of value to the house. Consider adding more modern features such as underfloor heating. Renovating an old bathroom is one of the most powerful ways to add value to a house. Update all the fixtures and appliances with newer models. You can find baths, sinks, and toilets for sale relatively affordably in any home store.

Ensuring reliable water and wastewater services like American Water are used is important when renovating an older home. Access to clean running water is essential, while proper disposal of wastewater must also be managed efficiently. Before beginning renovation work on any old property, start by conducting an assessment of its existing pipes and water system. Replacing old pipes that may be susceptible to leaking or bursting could be necessary. These risks put water quality at risk while potentially leading to significant water damage. Consult a professional plumber who can inspect and make recommendations regarding updates to both your water supply and sewage systems. Updating them will greatly enhance the functionality and sustainability of your home, preventing future issues while guaranteeing that renovation efforts lead to an enjoyable living environment.

Hot water tank replacement

The replacement of an outdated hot water tank should be a top priority in any older home. Aging tanks become less energy-efficient over time, increasing utility bills as well as risking leakage or failures that may cause water damage. Energy-efficient models can not only save you money in the long run but are also better for the environment. Research all possible types of water heaters available, such as tankless or on-demand models that heat water only as needed and save space. Consult a certified plumber when doing a hot water tank replacement to ensure it is done safely and according to local building codes. A properly installed hot water tank can add comfort and functionality to any renovation, providing added peace of mind for homeowners.

Redo the walls and floors

With water and electrics installed and all major repairs complete, it's time to plaster the walls and lay a new floor. This will make a massive difference to how your home looks, and you will really start to see your vision taking shape. Consider whether you prefer a hardwood floor, tiles, or carpet before diving deeper into the options you have available.

Both floors and walls come with loads of different options when you’re looking to update them. Examples like super sealed saltillo tile will look very different to granite or cement tiles, and this is already a couple of subcategories deep. Websites like Instagram can be a great source of inspiration when you’re looking for new wall and floor ideas, but you should also work hard to find unique options that suit you.

Update fixtures

The major fixes are complete, and now it's time to take care of the little things. Light brackets, window frames, doors, skirting boards, handrails, and handles are all things that have a minimal aesthetic impact in isolation, but when added up can dramatically influence the atmosphere of a home. If all your fixtures are old fashioned and in poor condition, you may want to give them an upgrade.

Update the exterior

Curb appeal, i.e. how attractive your home looks from the outside, is one of the biggest influencing factors on value. This is also something that we have yet to do, but we are working on it this summer yay! By giving your new property an exterior makeover, you can completely transform it from a haunted mansion to a beautiful rustic family home. The most significant changes you could make include updating cladding and roofing, treating the windows, re-landscaping the garden and driveway, and repainting the walls. You may also wish to consider changes such as replacing gutters and drains, building a porch for extra character, and adding plants and greenery for a more homely feel.

Start the interior design

The final step of the restoration process is to make it feel like home. You should only start the interior design once all major fixes are complete. Choose a color scheme and paint the walls to suit your preferences. Tile the bathrooms and kitchens, install white goods, and lay carpets over your new flooring. Start filling your home with all the furniture and personal items you'll need for your life in your newly-restored paradise.

Congratulations, you have made yourself a new home and saved a ton of money in the process. The most affordable way to restore an old house is to do as much of the work yourself as possible. However, if something is beyond your capabilities, you should always call in a professional to help you, or you may end up making the problem worse. Make sure you create a plan and a budget before you start to help you stay on track throughout the restoration process. Most importantly, have fun!

Cheers!

Janelle