Buying a historic house could be a big moment in someone’s life, and sometimes it pays to buy one that could use a little tender loving care. Fixer-uppers can be a rewarding project for someone that is willing to put in the time, effort, and money. For those prepared for the undertaking, there are several steps to take to cover the main parts of the house. Inspecting the plumbing, making sure the electricity is up to code, and replacing the fixtures all parts of the renovation process.
Inspect the Plumbing
When buying and renovating an old house, one of the most important things to check is the plumbing. Check for rust or any possible leaks that can occur once the plumbing experiences regular use. Pipes see wear and tear over time, just like the rest of the house. The only difference is that if the plumbing needs to be replaced, finding out too late could be disastrous. Hire a licensed plumber to come in and inspect the current plumbing situation. If anything needs replacing, it may cost a bit, but getting it taken care of before substantial water damage becomes part of the equation could save you a ton.
Get Wiring Up to Code
On top of the plumbing, the electricity situation is also an important one. Make sure the building can pass inspection by hiring an electrician to do a thorough inspection. Improper wiring cannot only lead to difficulties with the electricity, but can also be an electrical fire waiting to happen. Also, the house’s current wiring may not be able to keep up with modern wattage requirements, causing outages. If this is the case, rewiring may be in order. Again, rewiring may cost a bit, but what you save on future problems as well as time can be incalculable.
Replace Any Damaged Fixtures
Finally, though mostly aesthetic, replacing fixtures that have seen decades of wear and tear should be the next thing to accomplish during your renovation. As doors get older, they may warp from the changes in temperature and may be, at this point in their lives, be hanging on to their hinges by a thread. The windows, if they aren’t cracked could be leaking in cold or hot air, depending on the season. Problem windows can cause you to spend more money on heating and cooling your house than what is necessary, so it is important to get these checked out and have a historic window replacement if necessary.
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Patrick Whalen is a writer who specializes in SEO. He has written for numerous web sites. Follow him at @2patwhalen.