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Unless you build your house from scratch and have a direct input into every design and architecture decision, there’s a good chance the house you end up moving into will need some work. Here we share top things renovating a house. Some people search for months and even years to find a house that they move straight into with only a lick of paint needed to bring it up to their standard, but others take the plunge and choose houses that need a full renovation.
Revamping a house isn’t easy and is often a very long-winded process. If you’re thinking of undertaking a renovation, there will be a handful of things you need to prioritise and think about first. These are often not very glamorous jobs and fall on the less fun side of doing a house up, but they’re absolutely necessary if you want to do the job right first time round.
The last thing you want is to spend a fortune on making your house look like it’s straight out of an Instagram advert, only to have to tear it apart later on because you’ve glossed over what should’ve been tackled off the bat.
Save yourself a headache further down the line by prioritizing the tasks below during your home renovation project.
Electrical, Gas, and Water Pipework
First of all, you need to make sure your house is safe and habitable. This means you need to turn your attention to the pipework in the property, including electric, gas, and water. Each type of pipework will require different attention, but all need to be looked at nonetheless.
As a general rule of thumb, houses tend to need rewiring after 20 years, although some can last as long as 40 years. This means you need to consider the age of the property and when it was last rewired. If it transpires that it hasn’t been done in over 20 years, or that it’s not far off this milestone, it could be high time to completely rewire the house. This is because wire insulation breaks down over time, plus, many older houses aren’t built to accommodate the electrical usage of modern life.
Next on your list is gas pipes. Failure to get these properly inspected could be deadly as a result of a potential explosion or leak. Always get a professional to do a full survey. Once this is done, the final bit of the pipework you need to be looking at relates to water. Call in a plumber to check everything works properly and see if anything needs replacing.
Damp Proofing
Once your house is safe, it’s time to look at damp proofing. Nearly all houses have some form of damp proofing in place, but much like pipework, it can deteriorate over time. It’s important to address this early on in the renovation process to ensure your house doesn’t fall victim to damp which, in turn, can cause severe issues relating to the structural integrity of the property.
Security
Whilst you’re renovating a house, there’s a good chance you won’t be living in it, but this doesn’t mean you can skimp on security. One of the first things you need to look into is security. This means pushing ahead with getting windows and doors fitted, as well as repairing any broken perimeters. Construction sites are a hub for antisocial behavior and theft, so it’s also a good idea to get cameras installed early on. This should deter criminals from targeting the property and hindering any progress you’ve made or causing potentially costly damage.
Top Things: Renovating a House
Renovating a house isn’t easy and it’s likely you’ll feel as though your to-do list is endless. Whilst this might be the case, make sure you complete the above jobs first. You’ll be grateful you did in the long run!
