Most Important Upgrades to Make on your Fixer Upper Home
Choosing to buy a fixer upper home can truly save you money, but you must consider the cost of repairs and upgrades before you make an offer. If you have found the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood that needs some updating, choosing to make the offer and do the renovations could land you a property at a low price. You will need to assess all of the work that must be done, and then create a schedule penciling in the most important projects first. It is crucial to get a certified home inspection on any home before signing contracts. When starting to do work on the home, it’s important to complete the work that makes the home livable, rather than appealing first. There are some upgrades that must be made in order to make the home safe and comfortable to live in.
1. Repairing Your Plumbing System
One key feature of modern homes is the plumbing system. You rely on your plumbing to take showers, use the restroom, wash your hands, and even do laundry. If the network of pipes in the home is deteriorating or clogging, the entire plumbing system can fail. It is important to work with a professional plumber to have your system inspected for defects that will pose serious and expensive problems in the future. It’s one thing if you can’t get the water going to take a shower, but it’s another if your pipe breaks and causes thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home. Having your plumbing inspected and minor defects fixed will help you avoid expensive problems in the future.
2. Repair Heating and Cooling Systems
In many climates around the country, having a heating and cooling system is a must. If there are problems with your heating and cooling units, have them inspected and the problems diagnosed. A gas leak or ventilation problems can be dangerous, and systems that need to be tuned up are far from efficient. By investing in a repair or replacement, you can ensure the property will be comfortable while keeping HVAC costs down. This repair is especially important if you live in either a very hot or cold climate.
3. Roof Replacement or Repairs
The best home upgrades are essential and will also add value to the home. You should always have the roof of any home, fixer upper or not, inspected before you move in. A home in need of a roof replacement or major repairs is not safe to live in. According to a professional from Advanced Roof Solutions, in many cases, the roof of a home is the most important building component. It keeps inclement weather out, your property and the interior of your home dry, and promotes energy efficiency. A minor leak can turn into a major cost in the long run. While preventative maintenance in the future will be important, upgrading your roofing system is a priority when upgrading a fixer upper home.
4. Removing Asbestos
Many fixer upper homes are homes that were built before 1950, when the use of asbestos as a material for residential insulation was common. If your home was built before 1977, it may also still have textured paint with asbestos in it. If your property was built before the 1977 ban, you need to have the property inspected for asbestos. The inhalation of this product can lead to respiratory infections due to its toxicity, and other health problems. Pay for professional asbestos removal before you spend the night in the hospital.
Upgrades and major system overhauls are not do-it-yourself projects. Be sure to make a priority list of upgrades that puts projects that make the home inhabitable first. After you overhaul major systems, you can focus on making cosmetic repairs that add curb appeal and make your home more aesthetically pleasing.