Projects You Should Be Completing WHILE You’re Renovating

When you’re renovating your home, you already have a checklist of items to complete. And if you bought a fixer-upper, it’s probably an extensive list. However, there are other tasks that you may not be thinking of right now, but incorporating them during your renovation may save you time, money and heartache down the road.

Here’s a list of tasks worth taking on during your renovation.

Don't give termites a fighting change.

Don’t give termites a fighting chance. Image: Marina Pousheva/Shutterstock

Schedule your termite treatment

If you’re knocking down walls, treat for termites before new drywall goes up, advises Glen Ramsey, Entomologist for Orkin. “Termites can hide within the walls, so once those walls are covered in fresh paint and art, termites are often out of sight and out of mind.”

He also says that choosing the right materials can help to prevent pests. “It’s best to use lumber that is pressure treated or composite, making it resistant to insects and decay.” When selecting siding materials, you should also make sure that what you choose will be durable against pests long-term. “While more expensive upfront, vinyl, stucco or other non-wood materials are the best selections. You should also ensure siding materials don’t extend below grade at installation.”

Reduce the chances of an electrical fire.

Reduce the chances of an electrical fire. Image: Francesmoufotografo/Shutterstock

Upgrade your electrical

If you have an older home, 60 to 100 amp service won’t be sufficient with today’s technology. “Since you are hiring an electrician and pulling permits on your home, now is the best time to upgrade the main service and that old panel,” advises Mark Luongo, Owner and Project Manager at Luongo Electric.

Breakers and panels have a lifespan of approximately 30 years. If your panel is older than that, you should, at the very least, have it assessed by a professional. “Not only will a new panel ensure your home remains safe, but it will give you the extra space you need for all the new circuits you will be required to run for the renovation,” Luongo says.

And while the walls are open, he also recommends replacing as much wiring as possible. “By upgrading the wiring, you ensure there are no nicks or potential short circuits hiding in the walls after you finish the renovation.”

Plan for your electrical needs.

Plan for your electrical needs. Image: Andrew Angelow/Shutterstock

Plan your furniture layout

It might seem like you’re putting the cart before the horse to plan your furniture layout before you even finish your renovation, but it can actually save you some heartache in the future. “You’re setting yourself up for using extension cords by not planning furniture layouts,” warns Josh McCormick, VP of Operations at Mr. Electric.

“Failing to do so may leave you with all your receptacles blocked by bookshelves, sofas or beds,” McCormick says. “In addition, you may end up putting too great a load on one receptacle by using extension cords to get around poorly placed or too few receptacles.” And improper extension cord use can result in both fire and tripping hazards.

Insulation can help you save money on energy costs.

Insulation can help you save money on energy costs. Image: C12/Shutterstock

Check your insulation

“While the home, or parts of it, are opened up, I would highly suggest checking the insulation and adding new insulation as needed,” advises Nathan Outlaw, President of Onvico, a construction company in Thomasville, GA. “Many older homes don’t have adequate insulation and upgrading can help save on future energy costs.”

Luongo agrees and explains that many older homes were framed with 2 x 4 exterior walls – and either were not insulated at all or were insulated poorly. “We recommend, at a minimum, building out your walls to a 6″ depth and replacing the old insulation with new insulation.” Plus, he says new insulation can also absorb sounds and help to stop fire from spreading.

Don't let water damage ruin your new bathroom.

Don’t let water damage ruin your new bathroom. Image: vistastudio/Shutterstock

Upgrade your plumbing pipes and drains

If you’re adding a new bathroom or renovating an existing one, you may be thinking of ways to incorporate the latest trends in bathroom technology.  That’s because your bathroom needs have probably changed. “We want hotter showers for longer, and a bathroom in every bedroom,” Luongo says. “Gone are the days of one toilet and bath for the entire family.”

He recommends upgrading your plumbing to reduce the chances of leaks behind your brand new walls. “Old copper pipes and fittings slowly corrode over the years and become weaker. So it only makes sense to remove all the old piping that you can get to and upgrade it with new water lines.”

In fact, if you see grey plastic piping, Luongo says that’s definitely a sign to redo your plumbing. “This older grey piping is called Polybutylene Pipe (Poly B) and is notorious for causing floods,” he says. “It only has a lifespan of 12 years and starts rapidly deteriorating after that.”

“The Poly B pipe reacts and oxidizes with the chlorine in our water supply, which makes the pipe brittle,” he explains. “Eventually, the pipe fails. At this point, many cracks in the pipe cause large amounts of damage in short periods of time,” Luongo says.

Make sure your subfloor is up to par.

Make sure your subfloor is up to par. Image: VanoVasaio/Shutterstock

Examine your subfloor

If you’re renovating your bathroom, it makes no sense to build on a faulty foundation. “Check the bathroom’s subfloor and, if it’s damaged, go ahead and replace it with a new one,” Outlaw says. “I have seen individuals try to save money by skipping this step. It can often come back to haunt them as they deal with future problems.”

Take advantage of unfinished areas.

Take advantage of unfinished areas. Image: Zakhar Mar/Shutterstock

Add security cameras

If you’re thinking about getting a security system, this may be the time to add it. Outlaw recommends adding cameras and a security system to the outside of the home while the walls are open. “Even a cheap system running on your home wifi can give peace of mind while on vacations or sleeping at night,” he says.

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When Buying a Fixer-Upper, Where Should You Draw the Line?

When you find a great fixer-upper, it can be difficult to determine if you should put an offer. You want to restore the home to its natural beauty — especially if it comes at a good price. However, you need to weigh the good, the bad and the ugly before making a decision.

Fixer-upper pros and cons

Weigh the pros and cons of purchasing a fixer-upper. Image: Hero Images/Getty Images

“Fixer-upper, remodeling and design shows have attracted large audiences and have romanticized the process to the point that buyers and homeowners believe that it is not a big deal to create their dream home,” says Karen Kostiw of Warburg Realty in New York, NY. However, she says these reality shows don’t provide the guidance you need to decide on a fixer-upper. If you’re transforming your basement, adding rooms and making other changes to the home’s footprint, there’s a lot to consider.

The advantages

Fixer upper customization

You can create the home of your dreams with a fixer-upper. Image: zazamaza/Getty Images

“One of the most important factors when considering a fixer-upper is whether you can customize the home to your design aesthetic and functionality needs at a lower purchase price than an already renovated home,” Kostiw says. “Typically, you can purchase a larger home with the same purchase budget [when you choose a fixer-upper]. That home can be purchased in a more desirable neighborhood due to lower cost,” she adds. Kostiw says that today’s buyers are more likely to want new or updated homes. There’s less competition if you want to buy a fixer-upper.

The ability to create the home you want in a desirable neighborhood can’t be overstated. “The homeowner has control of the entire process. As long as it’s planned ahead, much of the home can be customized to the exact needs of the homeowner, from adding architectural details to custom cabinets and flooring to an open floor plan,” says Brad Little, President of Case Design/Remodeling in Charlotte, NC. And while it may initially seem like a daunting task, he says it really isn’t. “A remodeling firm or contractor can help you plan your whole house remodel from blueprints to final presentation.”

The price factor

Fixer upper budget

Assume that you’ll go over budget. Image: Hanohiki/Shutterstock

When buying a fixer-upper, you’re competing in a different arena. “Fixer-upper purchasers must compete with builders and investors, which will drive up the purchase price,” Kostiw explains. And she says you may need to be a cash purchaser since some lenders will not approve a fixer-upper property.

Kostiw also says you should prepare to spend at least 20 percent over budget during the renovation. That’s why you need to create a fixed budget before work begins. “Be firm on the final cost you’re willing to invest before renovations begin or the project can quickly get out of control,” Little warns.

He also recommends knowing and prioritizing your needs. “Remodel for your must-haves first, and then your maybes,” Little says. “In a fixer-upper, it’s tempting to want to do everything immediately. But starting with the must-haves will give you a better idea of what you could do without.” For example, your heart may be set on a farmhouse sink. But, according to Sara Cannon at House Heroes, you may not be able to preserve the existing cabinets with this type of sink since it requires a cutout.

And when the renovation is over, there are other long-term expenses to consider. “Fixer-upper purchasers often do not consider that their real estate taxes will increase based upon new assessed post-renovation value, shocking their all-in monthly budget,” Kostiw says.

The time/money/inconvenience factor

Fixer upper delays

Delays are inconvenient and costly. Image: skynesher/Getty Images

Depending on how extensive the renovations are, it could take a while. So consider the time factor in your decision. “The purchaser must be prepared for long and expensive renovations and longer timelines than originally planned,” Kostiw warns. “Often, if a large amount of work is required on a home, a purchaser may not be able to move in until work is complete, which could take six months or longer,” she says. Would you have somewhere to stay if the home is uninhabitable? Would you be able to juggle two mortgages, or a mortgage and rent payment? What about living with your parents or in-laws for several months?

The fixer-upper shows fit projects into 30-minute or 60-minute time frames, so they don’t cover everything that goes into renovating a house. “Many of the shows do not highlight the permit process or the reality of workers not showing up, which delays a project timeline,” Kostiw says. And these delays create a ripple effect. “The expense of labor and labor delays, product changes due to construction materials out of stock or a serious unexpected issue that arose on the job site could contribute to costing more than buying a new or already renovated home,” she says.

Fixer upper uninhabitable

Your home may be uninhabitable during the reno. Image: Hero Images/Getty Images

Remodeling on your own

And if you plan on remodeling without the help of contractors or a remodeling firm, Little says it can be almost overwhelming. “Signing on the dotted line is just the beginning since all of the labor and project management responsibilities fall on the homeowner,” he says. “If any surprises come up that weren’t found in the inspection, the homeowner is responsible for addressing them, either personally or through a contractor/remodeling firm.”

There are other inconveniences that could prove to be costly. “If there’s a lot of drywall work involved, there will be drywall dust everywhere,” says Shawn Breyer, Owner of Breyer Home Buyers in Atlanta, GA. If you or your family members have asthma or allergies, you might not be able to stay in the home.

“Also, renovating the bathrooms will leave you using the bathroom across the house or without a useable bathroom for a few days,” Breyer adds. “Rewiring the house can leave you without power in portions of your house for weeks. So make sure that you’re prepared to live in a construction zone or have plans for living somewhere else.”

Knowing When to Draw the Line

Fixer upper overimprove

Don’t over-improve for your neighborhood. Image: Ceneri/Getty Images

The key to successfully renovating a fixer-upper lies in the ability to envision the end result before you start, according to Associate Broker Amber Ketchum at the Get Happy at Home team of Coldwell Banker Bain. “You must weigh the pros and cons before deciding if something is worth it or not,” she says.

For example, if you have to move walls or do a complete add-on, this will dramatically increase the cost, according to Chelsea Allard, VP of Design at Case Design/Remodeling in Charlotte, NC.

“Plumbing can also create large snags in the cost or process, so it is essential to find out where the plumbing already is and know where you want to add plumbing,” Allard says. For example, if you want to add a bathroom with a soaking tub on the second floor — but on the opposite side of the house — she warns that this will increase your reno costs.

Also, you don’t want to over-improve a home. “If the home is renovated and it is over and above the value of the neighboring properties, you will never get its true value,” says Ralph DiBugnara, President of Home Qualified. “It would be best to look at the homes you like in the area and stick to some parameters when improving your home. You do not want to own a White Elephant.”

Kitchen reno before and after

Before and after photos of a kitchen reno. Image courtesy of Case Design/Remodeling.

Making it all worthwhile

However, the end result of renovating a fixer-upper can be rewarding, as you can see in the before and after photos above. “This project was a waterfront lake house that the couple bought for the lot. When they purchased it, the previous owners had gone overboard with a DIY Tuscan theme,” explains Allard. “The clients were slowly redoing the entire house bit by bit to match it with their contemporary design style.” Allard says the company helped the homeowners to renovate the kitchen, powder room and bar.

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