Renovating an Older Home: Challenges and Solutions
Every homeowner, at some point in time, has dreamed of owning an older home – a diamond in the rough that needs just the right amount of love and vision to turn it into a beautiful estate that turns heads whenever there are visitors.
However, crushing reality soon sets in when they realize the work necessary to turn that vision into a reality. Foundation issues, termite damage, old plumbing, faulty wiring, outdated HVAC—the list goes on and on. So, what do you do if you can’t give up the vision of a fully updated older home? You call the experts.
dBAtlanta’s team has decades of combined experience and is ready to help you get the home of your dreams. We have plenty of solutions for old home renovation issues. When renovating an older home, allow us to guide you.
Common Issues in Older Home Renovations
When renovating historic homes, be prepared for anything. Your ability to roll with the punches (and expect the unexpected) will allow you to make it through an exceptionally stressful process for many people.
Still, it’s vital to understand the common issues that usually arise when restoring and renovating old homes.
Structural
Any home can have structural issues. However, homes that are 50-100+ years old usually have cracks in the foundation, settling, and instability. That’s why you must hire a structural engineer to help survey the home during inspection. Renovating older homes for structural safety has never been easier, at least.
Electrical
Electrical codes have changed drastically over the years to ensure homes never have to deal with fires caused by faulty or outdated wiring. Older homes need electrical inspections to ensure wires are still safe or if they need replacement. For example, if your old house has knob-and-tube wiring, be ready to have it all replaced.
Plumbing
Trust us when we say there are a ton of bad jokes we could use here to describe old plumbing. Since you want to trust us, we’ll keep those jokes in our back pocket. Still, old plumbing can be a significant issue if your old home still has cast-iron pipes. The old pipes can develop cracks over time, leading to leaks and other problems.
Upgrading Outdated Home Systems in a Renovation
Upgrades will be necessary for remodeling vintage homes, so here are a few that will probably need it more than anything else:
New Windows and Doors
Windows are among the most vital parts of your home regarding energy efficiency. Older home manufacturers didn’t realize how much of a seal windows provide against cold and warm air. Work with your contractor to discover the best windows to match your home’s architecture and provide the highest energy efficiency possible.
New Insulation
Old insulation, like windows, can cost significantly over time. You and your contractor must figure out how to remove the old insulation and what type of new insulation you’ll use to help control temperatures inside your home.
New HVAC Systems
A renovation is the perfect time to determine whether a modern HVAC system can be added to your home. An AC expert here will help you choose the best system for your needs and decide whether or not you need new ventilation systems installed around the house.
Potential Pitfalls
Buying an older home in an established neighborhood means dealing with an HOA or a historical society dedicated to preserving aesthetics, such as exterior colors, window types, and whether you can build a fence around your property.
Research the area where your potential older home is located to see if any changes to your home’s exterior must be approved first by the historic group or HOA. Remember, you don’t want to get on the bad side of these folks.
Now It’s Up to You
We hope you’ve enjoyed these old home remodel tips as much as we’ve enjoyed discussing them. Now, the choice is on you. If you’re ready to take the plunge with an older home, dBAtlanta is more than prepared to help you achieve your vision. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
