Buying a house can be an exciting experience. Having a place where you can make into your dream home is a goal that most people want to achieve. While there are plenty of options to buy a property that is ready for you to move into, for those who are looking for a bigger challenge and the freedom to design their ideal home, purchasing a derelict property to fix up is more intriguing.
There are many benefits to do doing this kind of renovation project, but it isn’t for the faint-hearted. If you have seen a property that has potential and you would like to transform it into a haven, there’s a lot you need to take into consideration. Below are a few of the key things you will need to research and know about to turn a dilapidated house into your dream home.
Is it Structurally Sound?
When buying any kind of property, it’s important to have it inspected first to determine whether it needs any kind of structural work. This is even more essential when you’re looking at buying a run-down house. Have a professional surveyor inspect the property to make sure it’s structurally sound before any building work begins to ensure your safety and that of the contractors and their team. If you’re happy to tear the whole thing down and start from scratch, certain things might not be an issue for you, but at the very least, the foundations need to be solid.
The Cost
You’d be surprised at how many people think they can do this kind of work on a reasonable budget, but there are always unexpected costs that come with this scale of renovations. You might have a budget already in mind, but make sure you’re factoring in surprise expenses. How much you spend will also depend on the kinds of materials you want to use in construction, decorating, wiring, plumbing, and so on. Do thorough research on how much this project will cost you before you even start looking for properties.
Finding Good Contractors and Roofers
Of course, you will want your dream home to be built to last, especially considering how much money you’re investing in this project. It’s a common problem that people get conned by cowboy tradesmen, so make sure you’re taking time to find the right contractor for you and get a few quotes to get a better idea of what kind of pricing seems legitimate.
There’s a good chance you will need a roof replacement as well, which will require the expertise of a professional roofer like Rock Solid Exteriors. Your contractor might be able to recommend someone for the job, but again, make sure you’re getting quotes from a few people before you agree to any work.
The Design
Unless you’re an architect or have some experience with drawing up blueprints, you will need to hire a professional to do this for you. This is another area that people forget about when figuring out their budgets, so make sure it’s on your renovation project checklist. You will need to sit down with your architect and consult with them about your ideas of how you want the finished house to look, whether or not you want it to be environmentally friendly and sustainable, as well as open plan style, and so on. They will be able to advise you on what will work and what won’t, helping you to develop your design into the perfect home.
The Garden
While your main focus might be on the house, don’t forget about your outdoor space. What you can do with your garden will depend on the amount of land you own surrounding your property. If you do have a large area to work with, consider hiring the services of a landscape gardener to help you manage this task.
Smaller gardens might be manageable by yourself, but either way, having an expert on hand to help you is a good thing. This part of your project will have to come after your house is finished, however, as the exterior grounds will have to be kept clear for the contractors and their equipment while they renovate the property.
Plumbing/Gas/Electric
Once the bare bones of the house have been finished, you will need to hire electricians and plumbers to fix these essential elements of your home for you. There might be leftover wiring or pipes from the original house, but some of these might need repairing or need to be taken out completely. These fixtures must be right, otherwise it could lead to dangerous problems like leaks, fires, or electrocution.
Pest Control
Before any work starts on your property, you should check if there is any evidence of pests or infestation. If there is, you will need to resolve this problem before any work begins. Call a reputable pest control company to inspect your property and carry out any necessary work to rid the house of unwanted guests. If the house has been left empty for a long time, there is a good chance that this will be an issue.
Fixtures and Furnishings
Once the main structure and plaster are all finished, you can start making the house look more like home. This is the fun part where you can start to install your light fixtures and put in kitchen units and bathroom suites. There are plenty of designs to choose from, like vintage bathtubs or sleek, modern walk-in showers, so you shouldn’t struggle to find something that fits in with your ideal style. You can also start to put the finished flooring in each of the rooms and watch as your home starts to come together.
Decorating
Finally, it will be time to decorate your rooms in the perfect color and add accessories and furniture to make the house complete. You can do this work yourself, and for those who are trying to keep costs low, this is a good idea. However, if you can afford to do so, hiring a professional decorator will save you time and energy, and guarantee a perfect finish.
Breathing new life into a derelict property is an amazing achievement and a wonderful opportunity to create your perfect home. Just remember to have all the above on your planning checklist to make sure you’re fully prepared for the challenge.
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