how to rehab an old house

How to rehab a house?

Rehabbing a House From Start to Finish Step One – Meet With Contractor and Define Job. When starting a rehab, the very first thing that I do is walk through... Step Two – Define Job and Buy Materials. Once we meet and determine the work we are going to do, my contractor and I …

How do you take care of your old house?

Nov 11, 2015 · The Vision. This is the first step – going into the room, sitting in it for a bit, and knowing EXACTLY what it’s going to look like when it’s done. And I mean, exactly. I do this myself, but other people hire out by hiring a designer or an architect. But the step is still there.

How do I Sell my House after rehabbing?

Estimate painting costs: A typical cost to repaint a house exterior with one coat of paint at 2 painter hours and 1gallon of paint per 100 SF (1 CSF) can cost around $160/CSF, or $1.60/SF. You will then need to add costs for height, as well as painting trim.

How do I rehabilitate a house or commercial property?

Is restoring an old house worth it?

Old houses can be bought for less. If you're looking for a true fixer-upper, you'll likely pay less than you would for a new home. And if you do the renovations yourself, you can save thousands of dollars in the long run and you'll end up with a great investment.Aug 18, 2021

How do you rehab a house yourself?

Although the exact rehab process will vary based on the property and the exit strategy, there are 10 general steps to follow to rehab a house:Evaluate Current Property Condition. ... Calculate ARV and Offer Price. ... Create a Rehab Checklist. ... Calculate a Budget. ... Hire a General Contractor. ... Pull Permits. ... Begin Demolition.More items...•Aug 20, 2021

What should I fix first in an old house?

Items to Fix Up in Your Antique HomeThe Floors. Century old homes often have hardwood floors that can be refinished, even if those floors are currently under carpet. ... The Fireplaces. ... The Windows. ... The Doors. ... The Trim and Molding. ... Anything with Lead or Asbestos in It. ... The Heating and Cooling System. ... The Plumbing.More items...•Feb 17, 2020

Is it worth rehabbing a home?

A fixer-upper may be a good investment. But it can also be a huge money pit if you estimate renovations incorrectly, contract out for most projects, and skip an inspection. To ensure a fixer-upper house is well worth the money, look at comparable homes (known in real estate as comps) in the neighborhood.Mar 2, 2022

How do you rehab a house on a budget?

How To Rehab A HouseEvaluate the property with the help of a professional inspector.Create a checklist so that rehabbing a house from start to finish becomes a reality.Develop a rehab budget once you understand your scope of work.Find a contractor who is best qualified to execute your property rehab vision.More items...

What is the difference between rehab and renovation?

As verbs the difference between rehabilitate and renovate is that rehabilitate is to restore (someone) to their former state, reputation, possessions, status etc while renovate is to renew; to revamp something to make it look new again.

What problems do old houses have?

Common Older Home Problems & Potential SolutionsLead and Asbestos. Lead and asbestos are two hazardous materials that were used in residential applications until relatively recently. ... Termite Damage. ... Mold and Mildew Damage. ... Plumbing Problems. ... Foundation or Structural Problems. ... Radon. ... Roof Problems. ... Inefficient Windows.More items...

What are old house problems?

However, older homes, especially fixer-uppers, come with their own set of quirks that can end up costing you much more than you had planned for....Previous Renovations. ... Cracks. ... Jamming Doors and Stuck Windows. ... Single-pane Windows. ... Electrical Wiring, Service Panels and Circuit Breakers. ... Electrical Outlets.More items...•Aug 2, 2019

What can go wrong with an old house?

To help you do your due diligence before getting your heart set on a classic home, here are the most common problems to look for.Foundation Issues. ... Deteriorating Roof. ... Hazardous Building Materials. ... Toxic Gases Affecting Air Quality. ... Outdated Electrical. ... Plumbing Problems. ... Energy Inefficiency. ... Old Mechanical Equipment.More items...•Feb 12, 2020

How do you renovate an old house with no money?

6 Ways to Pay for a Remodel When You Can't Tap Home EquityTake In a Lodger. ... Rent Your Home Out While You're on Vacation. ... Turn Your Home Into a Billboard. ... Get Rid of Your Private Mortgage Insurance. ... File an Amended Return. ... Check with Your Utility Company for Rebates or Special Financing.

Are older homes harder to sell?

Are older homes harder to sell? They can be. For instance, older homes pose a much higher risk for sitting on the market. There are plenty of reasons why a home might not sell at all, but older homes pose a much higher risk for sitting on the market.Mar 14, 2022

How can I change my old house on a budget?

21 Ways To Update An Old Home On A BudgetPower Wash The Exterior. ... Paint The Front Door. ... Paint The Shutters. ... Refresh Interior Paint Colors. ... Replace Dated Light Fixtures. ... Paint Floor Tiles. ... Refresh Your Bathroom Caulk. ... Paint Kitchen Cabinets.More items...

What to do when you have a house in a building?

Begin with demolition and trash removal. Remove any trash inside or outside the building. Remove any items that are damaged or that you will be replacing (flooring, cabinets, appliances, light fixtures, toilets, water heaters, etc.) Outside work may include trimming any dead trees or bushes and removing garage doors, fencing, sheds, decks, and siding.

What is the best way to change the look of a house?

Install light fixtures, flooring, and appliances (stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, etc.) Lighting is a great way to change the look of a property and is relatively inexpensive compared to other repairs. Flooring may include vinyl or ceramic tile, hardwood, carpet, or laminate.

What should be included in a home inspection?

The home inspection should include the heating system, air-conditioning or HVAC system, interior plumbing, electrical system, the roof, the attic, any visible insulation, walls, ceilings, flooring, windows, doors, foundation, sewer line, and the basement.

What should be included in a checklist?

Include both interior (walls, paint, etc.) and exterior items (e.g. landscaping, gutters, and outside lighting). The checklist should be very detailed and describe everything that needs to be done to the property. The inspection report can be used to generate the checklist.

Why do you need to put flooring in rehab?

The flooring is installed later in the rehab process to avoid getting paint on the floor and to avoid damage from workers going in and out of the house. Because you want your floors to look fresh when you're finished, you might consider doing the bulk of the interior work before installing flooring.

How to make a property look less like a construction site?

New windows and doors will also make the property look less like a construction site. Count the number of doors and windows you will need, and take measurements before you purchase the items. Measure very carefully. New entry doors are a nice way to change the look of a property and add value.

What is a pre-screen question?

Pre-screen any candidate to determine if he or she is a good fit for your project. Pre-screen questions should cover these considerations: A contractor's experience: you want at least three years. Equipment: a contractor should have his/her own equipment. Employees: you want to see adequate support to complete the job.

What is a punch out?

Contractors usually refer to this as their “punch out” and consists of all the little details such as outlets, switchplates, and light fixtures. Many times, a homeowner will walk through and create a punch list with the contractor.

Can you use an appraisal to inspect a home?

Once the home is under contract with a buyer, they may select to use a home inspector and their lender will order an appraisal . As a result of the inspection or appraisal, you may need to do additional repairs. Then the inspector or appraiser will reinspect the property to make sure the repairs have been done before issuing their final approval.

Successfully Rehabbing a House from Another State

Honestly, I am able to live my life without a job because of my rental properties.

The Key to Rehab a House or Managing Anything from Remotely is to Trust but Verify Everything

When I talk with my contractors, sub contractors, realtors, property managers, inspectors, yard workers, etc I verify all the other workers work.

Payment for work done by contractors should NEVER be paid up front before work is done!

Many horror stories have been told of how people have paid a contractor 100% of the payment before the work is done.

How to make mortar match?

New mortar should match as closely as possible in color, consistency, and elevation. Using too much Portland cement in the mix creates hard mortars, which can damage old buildings. 3. Never grind out joints. Only deteriorated mortar should be removed. If someone tells you otherwise, run. 4.

What is a thermostatic radiator valve?

Thermostatic radiator valves are a great way to zone any radiator and save fuel. Hot-water and two-pipe steam radiators get them on the supply side; one-pipe steam radiators get them between the radiator and the air vent. (Photo: Sylvia Gashi-Silver) 9. Get a great finish.

Who is John Leeke?

As an historic building specialist, John Leeke has been helping owners, tradespeople, contractors and architects understand and maintain their historic buildings for 20 years. He has been restoring historic buildings in New England for over 35 years and still spends a good part of his time “with hammer in hand”.

Is sandblasting a good finish?

Pros agree that sandblasting followed by powder coating gives the best, long-lasting, non-sticky finish—but don’t try this at home. 10. Don’t worry about fires. Even with steam heat, a radiator gets only about half as hot as the temperature needed to kindle paper, so you can rest easy.

Restoring an Old House in 12 Simple Steps

My husband Doug and I are beginning year three of bringing our 1902 Queen Anne Victorian back to life. Twenty-two rooms, and we’re in the middle of restoring just room FIVE. To be fair, the exterior restoration was a beast, and it was completely done during the first two years.

The Vision

This is the first step – going into the room, sitting in it for a bit, and knowing EXACTLY what it’s going to look like when it’s done. And I mean, exactly. I do this myself, but other people hire out by hiring a designer or an architect. But the step is still there.

The Pitch

This might be to a contractor. For me, it’s saying to Doug, “So, I have an idea.” And then telling him what it’s going to look like, and saying “Make it go!” and leaving the room before he can say no.

The Lists

What do we need? When do we need it? What will it cost? What do we own already? What’s the timeline? ALL THE LISTS GET MADE. Restoring a house can definitely make you feel like your life is spiraling out of control.

The Deconstruction

I like saying deconstruction instead of demolition. Because we need to preserve and save what we can. There will be a few rooms of this house that will need gutting, no doubt, but ironically, they are the rooms that were reconfigured in the 1950s and 60s and 90s.

The Infrastructure

Bringing lighting to code, fixing walls, floors &rotted wood…. you know, the nuts and bolts.

The Land of Tedium

This is usually when steps 4, 5, and 6 do a little waltz with each other. They repeat, they get mixed up, you go crazy….. 4, 5, 6, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5, 4, 6, 6, 4, 5……..This is also where you go through the Stages of Grief – Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Those stage work for home restoration. For real.

How to decide whether to restore or rehabilitate a house?

Deciding whether to restore or rehabilitate your house, and to what extent, involves understanding its history; its architecture; and the present condition of its materials, finishes, and systems.

What does "restore" mean in a house?

3. Know what “restore” means. To restore a house means to return its interior and exterior appearance to a particular date or time period.

What does "rehabilitate" mean?

To rehabilitate a house means to make it useful and functional for contemporary living while preserving important historic and architectural features.

What is a 504 home repair loan?

Also known as the Single-Family Housing Repair Loan/Grant the Section 504 Home Repair Program provides assistance to very-low-income homeowners. These grants/loans are used for repairs, improvements, or modernizations for old homes. Applications for these grants are accepted throughout the year.

What is the purpose of grants?

Among them are grants which are specifically used to repair or restore old homes. While these grants have stringent requirements and are separated into specific types of loans or grants, they represent substantial grants.

What is farm labor grant?

This grant provides capital to finance the development of housing for domestic laborers on farms. Farm Labor Housing loans and grants are provided for the improvement, repair, or even rebuilding of housing. This includes persons that are employed even in aquaculture fish farms and those engaged in on-farm processing.

How much does it cost to repaint a house?

Estimate painting costs: A typical cost to repaint a house exterior with one coat of paint at 2 painter hours and 1gallon of paint per 100 SF (1 CSF) can cost around $160/CSF, or $1.60/SF. You will then need to add costs for height, as well as painting trim.

How long does a roof last?

The life expectancy of roofing depends on the type of roofing installed. A typical 3-tab shingle lasts about 20 years, architectural shingle can last 45 years, and tile up to 150 years. Very often part of the need for a new roof is a result of the deterioration of roof decking. Additionally, with roofing that is layered on top of older roofing, reduces life expectancy by 10-15 years.

How tall should a kitchen countertop be?

The rule of thumb for estimating countertop needs in a house is: 1 Counter: 8 linear feet per 1,000 square feet of living area 2 Counter width and height: 25″ wide x 36″ high

What is the best base for flooring?

Concrete makes a good base, assuming the surface is smooth and incorporates a good vapor barrier. Untempered hardboard, plywood, and particleboard also make a good base for flooring. Use either 1/4″- or 3/8″-thick sheets. Underlayment needs a 1/32″ gap at the edges and the ends to allow for expansion.

How to figure out square footage of a roof?

Multiply the length and width of the building, including eaves and overhang. Divide by 100 to find the number of roofing “squares.”. Then add 10 percent for a gable roof, 15 percent for a hip roof and 20 percent for a roof with dormers. A square is equivalent to 100 square feet.

What is the cable called that is wired to a new house?

Nearly all of the new homes today are wired with non-metallic sheathed cable called Romex, but that may not be what you find when you work on an older house. Depending on its age, you may have some surprises.

How much does it cost to install an exterior door?

Exterior doors can cost between $200 for a basic slab door, to $2,000 for a stylish Oak or Mahogany entryway. You can expect to pay about $1,500 to cut a wall opening and install a slab door.