Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

How do you update old house walls?

The customary way to upgrade a wall in an old house is to tear off the old materials out to the wall studs (collect the treasures hidden in there) insulate, rewire and add new wallboard, plaster, or another interior finish.

What should I renovate first in an old house?

It's best to start with the kitchen because these remodels add significant value to your home. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry's 2022 remodeling impact report, Realtors estimate that homeowners can recover 75% of the cost of a complete kitchen renovation if they sell their home.

Is renovating 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.

How do you redesign an old house?

How to Make an Old Home Feel New

1. Set the Design Style and Color Palette.
2. Replace a Major Focal Point of a Room.
3. Repaint Just One Wall.
4. Swap Out Hardware.
5. Rethink the Fireplace.
6. Add Temporary Wallpaper.
7. Switch Out Soft Goods.
8. Implement Peel-and-Stick Tiles.

How to update a 50 year old house?

Easy Home Upgrades You Can Do on a Budget

1. Repaint Areas of Your Home. Mike Casey.
2. Update Cabinets. New cabinets could cost you several thousands of dollars.
3. Replace Bath Hardware.
4. Swap Window Treatments.
5. Upgrade Lighting.
6. Install Built-In Bookshelves.
7. Create Custom Storage Areas.
8. Add Crown Molding and Update the Trim.

Why is there wood behind drywall?

Studs are vertical 2 by 4 inch beams that support the frame of your home. You can find them behind your drywall, usually spaced 16 or 24 inches apart. Since studs are made of thick and sturdy wood or metal, they can securely hold screws better than wall materials like drywall.

How do I start restoring my old house?

6 Steps: Restoring an Old House From Start to Finish

1. Assess and Repair Your Foundation.
2. Begin Demolition.
3. Inspect Electric and Plumbing.
4. Redo the Walls and Floors.
5. Replace Old Appliances.
6. Refurbish Fixtures and Ornamentation.

What to do first when renovating old house?

The “House Sandwich” Method is the Pro-Approved Way to Renovate Your Old Home

1. Always inspect the electrical system.
2. Find out if the plumbing is original.
3. Keep an eye out for wood rot.
4. Check out the original windows (but don't necessarily replace them)
5. Test for lead paint.

How can I make my old house look better?

Buying an Older Home? Get Started Here!

1. Update Outlets, Light Switches and Plates. This has made a significant difference in all four of our older homes.
2. Repair Walls.
3. Add Light.
4. Paint.
5. Remove Dated Fixtures.
6. New Doors.
7. Refinish Hardwoods.

How do I fix my old house on a budget?

Easy Home Upgrades You Can Do on a Budget

1. Repaint Areas of Your Home. Mike Casey.
2. Update Cabinets. New cabinets could cost you several thousands of dollars.
3. Replace Bath Hardware.
4. Swap Window Treatments.
5. Upgrade Lighting.
6. Install Built-In Bookshelves.
7. Create Custom Storage Areas.
8. Add Crown Molding and Update the Trim.

How do I make sure my old house is safe?

Older homes can be prone to structural issues due to wear and tear over the years, so regular inspection and maintenance are key to ensure your home's structural integrity and safety. Look for cracks in the walls, uneven floors, and a sagging roof, as all these signs could indicate underlying structural problems.

Is it safe to stay in a house while renovating?

Staying in your house during a renovation can be safe. But if you're not sure, confirm that you can do all of these things: You know how your home will be affected during construction. You or another adult is available to check the living areas for safety.

What is one of the major problems with the renovation process of an older building?

Is it a good idea to renovate an old house?	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.
What are the hazards of remodeling?	workers falling from ladders and roofs, injuries from equipment and flying debris, broken bones from collapsing walls or floors– and the list goes on. Keeping your family safe while your home is being remodeled involves two tactics: Choosing a contractor with a strong record of safety and accountability.
Is a 100 year old house safe?	Is it safe to buy a 100 year old house? It can be perfectly safe to buy a 100 year old house. On the surface, there's absolutely nothing wrong with buying a 100-year-old home. Still, you should be wary of structural issues and other problems associated with aged houses, such as lead paint and pest problems.
Is a house built in 1900 safe?	Older homes are more likely to contain hazardous materials, including lead and asbestos. Lead was commonly used in exterior and interior paint up until 1978 and within plumbing systems built before the mid-1980s. This lead can leak into the environment and the water system, causing significant health issues.
What to know about houses built in 1900?	In 1900, for instance, a typical American new home contained 700 to 1,200 square feet of living space, including two or three bedrooms and one or (just about as likely) no bathrooms. It was probably a two-story floor plan.
Should I buy a house built in 1910?	Be Wary of Hazardous Materials When Buying a 100 Year Old House. Lead and asbestos are two hazardous materials that were used in residential applications until relatively recently. If the home you want to buy was built before 1978, the home may contain lead paint in the exterior and interior paint.
How long will a 1900s house last?	An average home built in the early 1900's would probably last about 30–50 years without serious maintenance, less if the roof were compromised, since an ordinary roof with old type shingles seldom lasted 20 years, and once the roof begins to leak, the damage progresses through ceilings, walls, and floors.
Did houses built in 1900 have bathrooms?	Only a century or so ago, most homes did not have indoor bathrooms. It was only at the beginning of the 20th Century that indoor bathrooms became standard.
What to do with a dilapidated house?	If the property is completely dilapidated, you will likely have to sell it “as is.” You can sell to a cash buyer, investor, someone looking for a deal, or someone interested in the land rather than the property itself.
How long does it take to fix up an old house?	How Long Does a Home Remodel Take? Remodel Type Duration Cosmetic A few days – 3 months Medium Several weeks – 6 months Major 6 months – over 1 year
In what order do you renovate a house?	Home Renovation: Basic Order of Works Demolition & structural repair. You'll need to make sure the building is structurally sound before anything else can get started. Weathertight & external finishes. First fix. Plastering. Second fix. Finishes & decorating. Snagging.
What should I repair first in an old house?	What should I fix first in an old house? We recommend starting with the exterior of your home by fixing any leaks and getting rid of standing water on your roof. This prevents further seen and unseen water damage in your home.

• Is it cheaper to Build a House from scratch or renovate?

  • As a rule of thumb, renovations are often less expensive than building new. However, if you're renovating a particularly old building that's seen better days, this may not be the case.

• What part of house is best to renovate?
  • Kitchen and bathrooms are notorious for being expensive rooms to renovate, so prioritize these spaces when redoing your home." The kitchen or bathroom are also high-value rooms, meaning that if these are the only rooms you complete, you will likely have increased the value of your home by doing so.

• What part of your house is the most worth remodeling?
  • Kitchens and baths are the areas in a home "where you can tell if money has been well spent or not," says architect Steve Straughan, a partner in Los Angeles-based KAA Design Group. "They're the most expensive areas of the home in terms of construction. And they're where people spend time in their homes."

• What is the most expensive thing when renovating a house?
  • The Most Expensive Home Renovation Projects
    1. Building an Addition.
    2. Renovating or Repairing a Home.
    3. Remodeling or Renovating One or More Rooms.
    4. Installing Solar Panels.
    5. Remodeling a Kitchen.
    6. Remodeling a Bathroom.
    7. Installing or Replacing an Asphalt Shingle Roof.
    8. Building or Replacing a Deck or Non-Masonry Porch.
• What is the hardest room to renovate?
  • The kitchen is often the most difficult room to renovate because it is one of the most used rooms in the house. This means that any work that is done has to be of the highest quality in order to withstand constant use.

• What remodel adds the most value?
  • Bathroom and kitchen renovations are the most popular home improvement projects. You can expect to recover 75% of your investment (according to the Appraisal Institute of Canada).

• How do you make old walls look good?
  • How to prepare old surfaces
    1. Fill any holes or cracks. Tools for the job: Sugar soap. Flexible filler. Flexible filling knife.
    2. Sand the walls. Tools for the job: Fine sandpaper. Take a fresh piece of fine sandpaper and lightly sand all the walls and any peeling paint.
    3. Clean the walls. Tools for the job: Sugar soap. Sponge.
• How do you level old walls?

  • If you have a few small, but prominent low areas, fill them in with plaster, then re-paint the whole wall. If you have larger low areas, you can even things out by plastering the whole wall and adding a little extra plaster to the low areas. Plaster with a textured finish does even more to disguise unevenness.

• How do you smooth walls without plastering?

  • Fill Bumps and Cracks

    Similar to the joint compound technique, using filler is another good way to smooth a wall without using plaster. Use the filler to fill in any bumps or cracks that are preventing the wall from being smooth. This is a great opiton if you have a few rough areas you want to even out.

• How do you replace a load bearing wall?
  • Instructions
    1. Create a Support System.
    2. Demolish the Existing Wall.
    3. Install the King Studs.
    4. Attach a Temporary Beam Ledger.
    5. Cut the Support Beam.
    6. Position the Support Beam.
    7. Use a Laser Measurer to Check Joist Movement.
    8. Create Side Cleats for the Support Beam.
• How do you cover bad interior walls?
  • 7 Creative Ideas for Covering Your Damaged Wall Without Paint
    1. Temporary Wallpaper – Easy Solution.
    2. Wall Tiles for Lasting Impression.
    3. Tile Decals – Redecorating Tiled Walls.
    4. Wall Decals – Let the Walls Speak.
    5. Tapestry & Curtains – Your Signature Theme.
    6. Art Accent Wall.
    7. Paintings & Sculptures.
• How can I improve the look of my 1960s house?

  • 1960s houses can often hide stunning parquet flooring underneath the old carpets so make sure you make the most of any original features like this. If others have been removed over time, then restoring them with second-hand finds is a great way to get the full look.