What Projects First? | Prioritizing Your Repairs & Renovations

If you’ve invested in a “fixer-upper” then good for you – you’re able to see the potential in a home with a lot of character hidden under peeling laminate floors, outdated fixtures and a roof that’s certainly seen better days.

The question is, where on earth do you start?? Well, HAConstruction believes there are four areas you should focus on. Below is a brief overview, and we will expand upon each in future posts to help you really plan and get a handle on the projects you have looming.

Personal Safety

When you buy and older home, the first thing you notice are the cosmetic issues, such as the pink carpet or mustard yellow shower (or both in the same bathroom???). However, it’s those hidden problem areas that could truly put your family in danger. Bad electrical wiring could easily cause a fire. If you have a gas furnace or stove that’s not in proper condition, that can result in carbon monoxide leaks. While you can install CO detectors, your safety still may be compromised, so possible leaks need to be addressed before they become problematic.

Additionally, if the structural integrity of the home isn’t sound, you’re risking injury. It’s important to verify that your home, new or old, is built to code – the last thing you need is unstable walls, doorframes or floors. There are many causes for these problems, including termite and water damage, as well as a strain on the structure from settling ground. This goes for outside structures too. If there is a deck, it’s important to verify that the boards haven’t suffered water damage and that it’s properly fastened to the home.

Home Protection

It’s also important that the integrity of your home is protected from future damage. Siding in bad shape is susceptible to water damage and bugs. A leaky roof and gutters that are falling apart will cause even more water damage than you want to think about (or pay to repair). You might also run into water damage if poor landscaping causes improper water drainage during rain – you home may even flood under the conditions of a thunderstorm if your yard isn’t graded properly.

Home Efficiency

Without the right precautions, repairs will take a hit to your budget. But so will an inefficient home. Without the proper insulation, pipes in your home can freeze during winter, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Improper insulation in your walls, attic and around your windows means outrageous utility bills. An HVAC system that is ill-equipped for the size of your home means it will be working overtime to heat or cool (more high utility bills) and burn out faster, needing repairs or even replacement.

Aesthetics

Grandma’s 1970s dusty rose carpet isn’t only an incredible eyesore, but packed full of nearly 50 years of trekking the outdoors in, water damage, and goodness knows what else you’ll find underneath. While other cosmetic issues in your home—such as wallpaper covered walls, drop ceilings and mustard yellow tile—aren’t necessarily something you have to worry about in regard to the safety of your family or integrity of your home, they are still important to your lifestyle and comfort of living. Not to mention the fact that, if you plan to sell the place eventually, you’ll need to address these things.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll address each of these areas in more depth, giving you the guidance you need to discern where you should begin, what you can do yourself, and what you might need assistance with. Of course, Andy and his team are always hear to help.