Buying an old, broken-down house can be amazing, especially if you get the house at a fair price. That said, while you know that you will need to work on a number of replacement and house repair projects, it may be a bit hard to figure out what these should be. Depending on the specific type of house you have, there may be a few custom projects that you need to work on. Otherwise, you can use this article to get an idea of the steps that you need to take to make an old broken down house your dream home.
Choose a Professional House Remodeler
The first step you should take to fix up an old broken-down house is to choose a professional house remodeler. They should be experienced enough to know what they must do in detail. This will save you the hassle of having to start new projects in the future because you missed something the first time around. That said, you could also do some research to find out the various projects that you’ll likely need to get done so that you have some surface knowledge on the matter.
The house remodeler that you hire should be in a position to know all the experts that you need to call for the entire project. This can make it easier because you won’t have to shop around for a number of different professionals. Hiring a single expert who will come with their team or be the one to hire other people who need to be hired will make supervising the project easy for you as well. They can give you a progress report on the project, and you’ll have an easy time keeping up with the project.
Your Roofing Matters
An old broken down house may also need to have roof repairs done on it, something that can be determined with a thorough inspection. To this end, you ought to call a roofer and ask them to inspect the roof of the old, broken-down house that you bought. If they find holes or other issues that need to be fixed, they should advise you on the best course of action to take. This should be done as soon as possible because ignoring a damaged roof for long enough is bound to result in its unexpected failure. In addition to causing more damage to the property, this puts you and your family at risk.
If the roof is found to be at the end of its lifespan, there’s no use attempting to make repairs. In this case, you should simply start shopping for a replacement roof. Take advantage of this and install a roof that will offer you the best bang for your buck. This is a roof that will have a long lifespan, offer your home improved energy efficiency, and also look amazing. When you do this, you’re going to have gotten the largest element of your home in shape, making it easier to work on the rest of the projects in the house.
The Importance of Grading
An old broken down house is also quite likely going to need a grading service. This is called land grading, and it involves leveling and sloping the landscape of your home. The result is that there’s proper drainage, and you get any contours that you may want to have on the landscape. This project can serve both a functional and esthetical role and is best done by an experienced expert. To get the best outcome for the project, it’s important that you know the final outcome that you want from the project. This way, you’ll know what you need to work towards.
When the land is graded properly, it’s going to be in a condition to bear weight correctly, and you’ll also have a specific slope or a level base on which you can construct or do landscaping. The reason why this project is going to need an expert is because it typically involves using heavy machinery like excavators and bulldozers. You also need to ensure that local zoning regulations, building codes, and other requirements are adhered to during the project, and this is something that an expert is going to be aware of.
Ensure Your House Is Leveled
You must make sure that the old broken down house you bought is properly leveled. This is another important detail to ensure is met because failure to get it done is bound to lead to a range of issues. Some of the issues that you might end up with include damage to the foundation, cracked walls that may collapse, and damage to the roof as well. Clearly, you’ll be living with a massive risk if you don’t level your house properly as soon as you can.
To level your house, you can use the process of mud jacking, which involves lifting concrete slabs by pumping a mixture of cement, sand, and water under the sunken slab. This helps lift the slab back to the right level, and it’s an affordable solution that you can use to repair an uneven slab rather than undergo the process of reconstruction. It’s the recommended method for a slab that’s going to support a lot of weight.
Consider House Security
To make sure that the old broken down house is good enough to call home, it’s best that you also make sure that house security is not an issue. This involves starting with the basics, which are the door and window locks of the house. Checking these and replacing any that are weak or broken is a great way for you to improve your home’s security since it won’t be easy for burglars to break into your home. If you’re in a position to do so, you should also install a security system in the house. This should have security cameras as well as an alarm which can do a lot to deter someone with ill motives.
Don’t forget that the garage door is also a potential entrance into your home. This is the reason why you need to look into garage door repair if the garage door is not in good condition. If the garage door has issues such as damaged panels, a controller that doesn’t work, or other problematic elements, it’s best that you call local garage door contractors. They’re going to inspect the garage door to see if it can be repaired or whether it has to be replaced. If you get a replacement, you’ll have made the best decision as you’re going to get a number of benefits as a result.
Don’t Forget Your Driveway
An old broken down house may also need asphalt repair service to be done if the existing asphalt is damaged. This damage might be on the surface, which includes fading, cracks, and small dents. In this case, the project is going to be fast and easy to get done since it won’t call for in-depth work. While it may seem like a small task, ignoring it will allow the damage to progress rapidly, and it could reach a point beyond which it is hard to recover from.
If the driveway is made out of asphalt, you should call an asphalt repair service to take a look at it. If it’s made of concrete, call a concrete service instead. If they find that the damage has reached a structural level as is characterized by massive cracks and holes on its surface, then this will call for it to be replaced entirely. This is an issue that you shouldn’t ignore since this damage poses a tripping risk to people in addition to negatively affecting the curb appeal. Once the driveway has been repaired, you should have it sealed with a protective coating to give it a longer lifespan.
What to Do With Construction Waste?
Don’t forget to figure out what you need to do with the construction waste that results from your home remodeling projects. It can pile up in a short time and leave you with a lot to deal with. You may even end up with a hazardous situation on your hands in the case that the waste in question contains toxic materials such as lead and asbestos. This is the reason why it’s a good idea for you to talk to a local recycling company before you begin the first project. They should be in a position to guide you on what you need to do with the various types of waste that you get.
Don’t assume that remodeling your old broken down house won’t call for help with waste management. It’s better to be prepared because you won’t have to pause the project at any point in order to look for waste management solutions and such. A recycling company may be the better company to call than a dumpster rental company as it will have a sustainable solution for the waste, helping you get a greener outcome in the end. Both these solutions are better than attempting to handle the resulting waste all by yourself.
Decluttering and Redecorating
To get your old broken-down house in the best shape and make sure that it’s homely and welcoming, you need to get it cleaned up. Set a day to do decluttering and get rid of all the items that don’t belong to you that may be in and around the house. You should also look through your own items and dispose of anything that you no longer use or that’s damaged. This is going to leave you with a more manageable amount of things in the house, so storing them may be easier to do. You can then call a professional cleaning company to get the entire house cleaned up thoroughly and find out if they also do garage cleanouts.
If they do, you’re going to have an easier time doing the next step, which is redecorating the house. Shop for decorative pieces that can add some personality to the house and make it more your own. You don’t have to get all of these at a go, but can buy an item whenever you come across something that feels like it’s going to perfectly fit your new home. This is the best thing to do to avoid ending up with a generic result.
Fix the Plumbing
The plumbing of a house is one of the most important elements in the house. This is because water is a basic need, so you should take steps to secure its continued supply in your house. This way, you can be assured of continued comfort and convenience throughout. That said, call a local plumber to inspect the plumbing and make any necessary repairs. These may include replacing old, damaged pipes and fixtures so that everything works perfectly.
If the house has not had any work done to the plumbing in a long time, your best bet may be to simply do an overhaul. This can save you from encountering one issue after another at a time when you’re ready to settle in the new house. Replacing the fixtures is just as important to do as replacing other elements like the pipes and various joints. That’s because, in addition to being in an unappealing state, they may also not work as well as they need to.
Check the Electrical System
Finally, don’t forget that electricity plays a very important role in the home of any modern family. This is the reason why you should call an electrician to inspect the electrical system of your home and make the necessary repairs that they may come across. By the end of it, the wiring and electrical system, in general, should be safe and functioning optimally so that you can enjoy comfort and efficiency.
These are a few of the details that you need to keep in mind when working on repairs for an old house that you just bought. By the end of it, you may have the house of your dreams and enjoy the hard work that you put in significantly. Your family is also going to be happy to live in a home that’s safe, stable, functional, and beautiful!
