It is a blessing that people have such varied tastes. The country would look pretty bland if we all took to the cold, clinical, modern style. Luckily many people cherish older properties and choose to renovate and live in them rather than buy new builds.
Sometimes the move towards renovating an older property may be for financial reasons. After all, it is no picnic trying to get on the housing ladder in this country. Not surprisingly, those with smaller budgets buy run down properties with a view to restoring them over time.
If you are one of those people, don’t be disheartened by the enormity of the task ahead of you. You will need to use professional labour where necessary but, with basic DIY skills and a willingness to take on new challenges, your project can be completed successfully.
Here’s a few tips that may help you get through the process without having a nervous breakdown.
Know Your Limits
If you aren’t an electrical whizz, leave the wiring to the experts. Carpentry, however, is something that you will find useful in most of the renovation work, so it may be worth while brushing up on your skills.
Make a Plan
Your plan doesn’t need to be over complicated. It can simply be a drawing of a timeline that lists the jobs that need doing such as timber floor polishing, for example, in chronological order. This timeline will be a useful guide to help you when arranging for professionals to come in and work.
Costings
Be realistic about how much the project is going to set you back over time. It will probably be a lot, so break it down into sections and add them to your timeline.
Main Expenses
There are a few projects when renovating any home that are bound to cost a lot of money. Here are the main ones in order of importance.
- Roof. If the roof fails, the rest of the building will eventually crumble. You are going to need a professional survey and quotations to have the work carried out by experts. Working on the roof yourself is a very risk business that you may not be able to carry out successfully.
- Rewiring. A rewire will almost certainly be needed. There is information on how to run cables to create the correct circuits on the internet or in books. You will be able to save a small fortune if you can install the wires yourself. An electrician can come in when you are ready to perform the connections, testing and, inspection, to ensure the installation is in accordance with the latest regulations.
- Kitchen. If you have honed your carpentry skills, most of the kitchen fitting can be carried out yourself; even the plumbing if you are handy. Any gas or electrical work must be connected and tested by professionals.
- Bathroom. As with the kitchen, there is a lot of work you can do here that will reduce the overall costs. You will improve your tiling skills in the bathroom.
- Central heating. As with the rewire, you can do a lot of the work yourself. Never attempt to work with the gas supply though, if you want to stay out of jail.
Armed with this knowledge, anyone can restore an older property. Do you have the nerve and determination to take the leap?
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