We purchased our fixer upper home in January of 2006. We weren’t looking for a renovation project. It was simply the best house we could afford at that time. Honestly, we had no idea how much work the house would end up requiring. The previous homeowners had neglected the space for years. The floors were damaged, the walls were riddled with holes, the interior doors were broken, the light fixtures were outdated, etc. We have spent countless hours working on our home. In fact, we have lived here for over 14 years, and we’re still working on it.
There are many things we have learned along the way about renovating a fixer upper. These are my top 5 tips:
1. Spread out the projects.
It is tempting to dive in and start numerous projects at one time. However, I recommend starting (and completing) one area at a time. This allows you to pay cash for all your projects and also reduces the stress of having your entire house turned upside down.
2. Live in the space before starting.
I think it’s extremely important to live in your space before planning out your renovations. This allows you to see what works in your space and what doesn’t. The results may surprise you. For example, when we moved into our house, I HATED the layout of the basement. I wanted to rip out all the walls. But we lived with the space for a while and came to realize it was actually perfect for our family. After living here for 14 years, I honestly think the basement layout is what has made this tiny house work for our large family.
3. Do your research.
You don’t need to be an expert contractor, but you should be a well informed homeowner. We have learned so much by renovating our house. We’ve had to researched drywall, electrical codes, walkway clearances, etc. We want to make our home more livable, while also making sure it functions correctly.
4. Give yourself a Budget.
It is so easy for the cost of home improvement projects to get out of control. With the internet and television making it possible to see amazing home transformations, you can sometimes get sucked into thinking you need a $50,000 kitchen too. Try to keep your expectations reasonable and always shop around. We get multiple quotes whenever we hire a contractor. If you’re doing the work yourself, make sure you have the skills, time, and tools to complete the project within your budget.
5. Salvage what you can.
Some items in your fixer upper home will be ugly. Really, really ugly. But it’s important to recognize that some of these fixtures can be salvaged. For example, our kitchen cabinets are an awful golden oak color. They are from the 1960s, and it shows. But these 58 year old cabinets are solid wood, and they are still in descent condition. Since vintage is currently all the rage, we plan on painting our cabinets this fall. On the flip side, we also have yellow formica counters, which are definitely not worth saving. So, we’re going to invest our money in granite countertops.
If you’re embarking on an adventure that involves a fixer upper, please take heart. You will get to your final destination, but it will take time, money, and lots of hard work. The good news is that you can do it on your timeline, while personalizing it to fit your style and your family.