Older homes offer many advantages, including architectural details not found in many newer homes, however, getting affordable home insurance may be difficult. Many also provide mature landscaping in established neighborhoods.
But while enjoying the advantages of these homes, you also need to be aware of some of the drawbacks. Here are 11 tips to consider.
1. Do a Comprehensive Inspection Before Purchasing
It’s worth hiring a contractor to stroll around the home and crawl into all the places you don’t want to crawl into. Keep an eye out for structural decay or insect infestations such as carpenter ants and termites.
Check the sill plates—which are the first wood on top of the foundation wall—for any rot. Check for any cracks or water intrusion in the foundation.
The timber used back then was frequently of higher quality than what is available today, so the construction should be OK provided the home was carefully cared for and kept. However, structural parts such as beams and posts are sometimes inadequate for contemporary construction requirements.
2. Create a To-Do List
The amount of work that has to be done on an old home might be intimidating at times. Especially because some small jobs appear to take longer than expected, and your budget suffers as a result.
Many homeowners get immobilized and unsure of what to do next when the project grows. However, a simple list might help you avoid remodeling hiccups.
3. Be Cautious of Ancient Wiring
Electrical systems from the 1920s and earlier may need extensive repair. Before you buy, have a professional electrician inspect the property and advise you through the potential upgrades.
Some properties may not need wiring maintenance since they have been upgraded, but you should be on the lookout for old-style knob-and-tube wiring.
If the home still has it, it will have to be updated. Knob-and-tube wiring could withstand the electrical loads of this period, but they are insufficient for what modern appliances demand, and they may cause fires.
4. Learn About the House’s History
Nearly every single older house has a tale to tell about the neighborhood back then, the family who have lived there over the years, and sometimes even the town politics from a century ago.
Looking into the home’s past and updating it with that history in mind may be entertaining. You can even discover that your home has extra historical and financial value.
5. Replace Old Pipes if Needed
Most ancient houses have antiquated plumbing and HVAC systems. Because these are the foundational systems of the house, a professional inspection is essential.
Old pipes aren’t inherently bad if they’re in good functioning condition, but it’s crucial to inspect the plumbing before purchasing.
6. Discard Improvements That Aren’t Built Properly
A poorly constructed bathroom or porch extension is not worth keeping. An improvement that worked in the 1970s or the 1920s might not function in your house with current design trends. You may also have to make a strange layout work for you.
7. Increase Insulation
Contemporary developments in construction technologies allow modern houses to be more energy efficient. They use less energy, resulting in reduced heat and cooling loss. This is significant since the overall objective is to use fewer resources to operate a home. A well-insulated house is a big part of that.
Insulation in most earlier homes was not as good as it is now, so older homes are chilly in the winter and hot in the summer. They take a lot of energy to maintain the correct temperature. Insulation may be beneficial.
8. Avoid Add-Ons if Possible
Rather than risk losing a home’s unique charm with a massive expansion, consider how to make the most of the space you already have. Make wise upgrades where your family needs them, such as renovating the basement or converting the front porch into a three-season family room.
9. Keep Some Appliances With a Personality
Keep the excellent components, such as clawfoot baths, beautiful sinks, and other historic accent wall designs. Clean and repaint your vintage tub or sink. Treat new acquisitions on a case-by-case basis to replace older, non-functional components.
10. Hire a Professional
Hiring a historic house expert is the most pleasing thing you can do if you’re considering a makeover. The most common errors from handypersons and general contractors are those unfamiliar with the specific materials and procedures found in an older property.
Drywall and plaster walls are not the same thing; platform framing is not the same as balloon framing; and plastic windows are nothing like wood windows. Hire a contractor specializing in historic restorations if you want your historic house to appear as it did when it was built.
11. Relax and Take Your Time
Patience may save a historic homeowner a lot of time and money.
The effectiveness of your renovations on an old property is determined by how well you plan. As a result, you must have a strategy. And that strategy will take some time to develop.
Live in your home for at least a year before making significant improvements. It may take at least that long to appreciate the peculiarities of an old house.
Don’t hurry to demolish walls or change components you dislike. Take it slowly, and the most excellent solutions will emerge. It’s important to remember that once you rip it out, it’s gone for good.
What are the most important things to know about home insurance and older houses?
Homeowners’ insurance companies have several issues regarding insuring older homes. The cost of insuring an older house and its ability to be insured under a typical policy may be affected by a variety of circumstances. You may find cheaper rates by bundling your home and auto rates; consider comparing average insurance bundle costs.
Older houses’ wiring, plumbing, and roofing are more vulnerable to damage because of their age.
Additional difficulties that may prevent you from receiving insurance include uncommon construction materials and original equipment or wood-burning stoves.
However, getting insurance for an older home is not impossible. If working with an experienced insurance professional, you should find affordable home insurance.
Imani Francies writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, ExpertInsuranceReviews.com. As a home improvement expert, Imani frequently explores and stays up to date on different home improvement trends.