If you are thinking about purchasing an old house, you are probably also contemplating some remodeling. Home improvement on older homes can be a scary prospect. Most of us associate older homes with delicate wiring and plaster walls that have to be completely replaced in order to make a room look “right.” Also, older homes frequently have beautiful, classic fixtures, such as crown molding and stained glass windows that you'll want to protect in the remodeling process. These fixtures often make a home more valuable, and they provide lovely accents to any home.
Most people would prefer to hire contractors to do the work for them, assuming that they'll be better able to protect valuable fixtures. However, paying someone else to work on your new old home can be costly and inconvenient. But never fear. Remodeling an old home while protecting existing features is actually easier than you think, and, believe it or not, it's something you can do yourself.
Below you'll find several tips on how to do a remodeling job while protecting valuable older fixtures in your home:
1.Do an assessment. Before you even begin planning your home remodeling project, go through the house carefully to determine what needs to be updated and what doesn't. Although many old homes were built to last, the fixtures and accents around the home, such as crown molding and textured ceilings, may have seen some wear and tear. Go through your home to see if you'll need to find replacements for any of the fixtures.
2.Learn your building materials. Before you get started on your remodeling project, find out what materials were used to create the fixtures you'd like to maintain. For example, was the crown molding you so admire made of plaster, or was it made of wood? If you love your fixtures, but find you need to replace them, there are many companies out there who specialize in manufacturing replacements for historic fixtures. You might need to do a little research, but the companies are out there. If you're having trouble finding a company, contact your local Historical Society. Most of these places keep a record of the companies who supply historic home repair specialists.
3.Have a plan. Once you have completed your assessment and research, but before you take action remodeling your home, put a plan together to determine how you'll go about your remodeling project. For example, if you find that a patch of your crown molding needs to be replaced, determine if you'd prefer to replace the whole thing, or if it's possible for you to patch it. Or if you'd like to paint your dining room, but want to protect the original hardwood floor, determine how you'll go about it before commencement of work. You might even put a timeline together for yourself so you know which steps to take in what order.
4.Consult a professional if necessary. If you find that you're not entirely sure how to preserve a fixture, ask for the advice of a professional instead of plunging ahead with your project anyway. A professional will be able to tell you if your plans are realistic, and may provide you with some solutions you hadn't considered.
5.Keep an eye on the systems. When preparing to remodel, the main systems you want to keep an eye on are the electrical, heating and plumbing systems. If your remodeling job may affect one of these systems, be sure to take the time to consider how the project might affect the system, and how you can minimize that effect. If you're uncertain how to proceed from here, revert to step four and consult with a professional.
6.Safety first. The most important part of any home improvement project is safety. When doing any home remodeling project, make sure you have the appropriate equipment and that you're familiar with using it. Keep children and pets away from the area if possible, and be sure that you keep your work space neat and clean to avoid trips, slips and other hazards.
Remodeling an older home can be incredibly satisfying. Not only do you have the opportunity to learn more about homes from the period in which yours was constructed, most older homes have classic fixtures and features that will make your home more valuable and more beautiful. Maintaining these features yourself during a home remodeling project is possible. All you need is a little forethought and a lot of elbow grease to get it done.
