Buying a house that needs work can be a good business, but fixing it can take a lot of time and money, and can become a demanding activity. This article explains how to go down this path in a manageable way.
Steps
Step 1. Understand the extent of the work required before buying
Take a good look at the house and view any inspection reports contained in the sales documents. Try to figure out if the house needs cosmetic or structural work. Will the walls just need to be painted, or will you have to move or repair them? Are the pipes and the electrical system recent and in good condition?
If you have been in this house for some time, it is advisable to hire a professional inspector to help you identify the most substantial problems, before starting the renovation. So you will avoid having to do the job twice
Step 2. Make a list
Walk around your house with a notebook or notebook, and list any changes you want to make.
Step 3. Decide the activities you can do alone and those for which a business is needed
You will likely choose to do some activities on your own. Generally it is not necessary to go to a company to install a towel rail, but it is preferable not to mount the tiles yourself on a steep roof of a second floor.
Step 4. Plan your budget
It is likely that the purchase of the house and the accessories needed to live in it will leave you without funds for some time.
Step 5. Decide where you will live during the renovation
Will it be possible, during the renovations, to live in the house, or part of it? Or will you need other accommodation? Will you be able to camp in the living room while the bedroom still smells of paint and new carpet?
Step 6. Plan your approach
Some reconstruction and renovation activities can be performed independently of each other, while others are related, and require to be carried out in a certain sequence.
- Identify and undertake urgent work. Focus on security issues first, like a broken window. It also identifies problems that, if not resolved, can create other damage (such as leaks from the roof).
- Identify dependencies between activities.
- Take on the bigger jobs first. There is no point in painting a wall that you will then have to tear down.
- Or, start with the less demanding activities first. If you plan on doing some tasks yourself, you can start with some small repairs to get familiar with the work. Small businesses can also help you build larger tasks or free up useful space to start more challenging tasks.
- Try to run the dependent tasks in parallel. For example, if you have removed carpet or another type of flooring, take the opportunity to repair squeaks, infiltrations, and other damage or imperfections of the floor surface.
Step 7. Proceed step by step
For longer projects involving the whole house, such as painting or replacing all the doors (or all the door handles), consider whether it is worthwhile to proceed with one room at a time. In this way you can also spread the expenses over time.
Step 8. Do the largest jobs all at once
If you won't be able to use your one bathroom during the renovation, or if you just want to avoid something that gets in the way, you might want to do all the more substantial tasks in one go.
Advice
- Give yourself enough time, both for the specific phases and for the entire renovation. Renovating a home takes a long time.
- Cleaning and painting are among the fastest and cheapest activities. Although it is a temporary solution, before you can complete the renovation, try to clean up the existing one.
