Have An Old House You Are Fixing Up Slowly? What To Know First
Posted on: 10 October 2017
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Living in an older home and trying to fix it up on your own to save money is a great way to put equity into the property, but you have to make sure that you are doing things safely and the right way. Many people don't realize the dangers that could lie within the house and the materials, and what concerns they need to have before they make changes. Before you start any more renovation projects or make any changes, make sure that you don't have to be concerned about any of these things.
Construction Permits
Although some changes to the property may be easy for you to do on your own, they still may require that you have a permit. This is so the city can approve the project, and so they can see that the project was completed safely and by the necessary professionals if needed. If you don't pull the necessary permits to make changes, then you could end up getting fined or getting in other types of legal trouble. You may do damage to a load bearing wall and put your entire property at risk.
Asbestos and Lead
Houses that are built throughout the mid-20th century were often made with materials that have asbestos or lead in them, and these are hazardous if inhaled or if they come in contact with the body. Some materials where this is a problem includes:
- Drywall and plater
- Siding
- Roofing shingles and adhesives
- Flooring tiles that are glued to the floor
- Ducts
- Insulation
You may want to have a radon testing come into the property and do a full scan and examination to make sure you aren't exposing your family to any of these things unintentionally.
Investing Too Much Money
You don't want to invest too much money into the house if you don't think you will get the money out of it when you want to sell. If you put more money into the home than the property will ever sell for, then you take a loss at the sale. Make sure that you make upgrades that are appropriate for the style and type of house it is, and that will be practical in the area where the house is located.
If you are tackling projects around the house one project at a time, and you are trying to make your older home into a newer remolded charmer, make sure that you think about these things. You want to be safe and you want to make a good investment.