Congrats! You bought a fixer upper! It can be so satisfying to tear down walls and turn a neglected space into your own. But put down the sledge hammer until you read this.
Before you get too excited and start tearing down walls and ripping up the floors, you will want to make sure you have a blueprint for your fixer upper. To help you get started, consider the following.
First, take all of the measurements. And then triple check them. Making sure you have enough space in the kitchen and bathrooms can make or break a fixer upper project. It doesn’t matter what the finishes are if you can’t open the bathroom door all the way because it bumps into the toilet.
You also need to carefully plan the layout of appliances. You want to make sure you don’t end up with a cramped space that only looked good on paper.
Now that you have an idea of what you want, draw out your space with exact measurements of every detail before you make any purchases. Double check that there is enough space for every door to open and close, from cabinets to the appliances.
It’s always more expensive to go back and fix mistakes than to take the time and do it right the in the beginning.
Always look for problems that may be hidden below the surface. It’s never good to spend a lot of money on new flooring and then have to rip it out to deal with a foundation problems.
Fixing structural problems is hard and expensive. It takes experience and knowledge that the average homeowner doesn’t have. Trying to cut down on costs doing DIY projects can end up in mistakes that make the process even more expensive and difficult.
Shop around right away for the pros you need to complete your project. You want to make sure you get the best in your budget, not just who is available fast. As long as you do your due diligence, you’ll end up with the right people for every type of job.
Finding an electrician and plumber before you begin your fixer upper rehab is always a great idea. Small projects can be done easily but extensive plumbing and electrical are difficult to do all on your own.
A trusted home inspector is also a must. Find an inspector who is used to your type of house. If you find one familiar with the same style and age houses, they’ll be familiar with common problems others may miss. You will also want to actually walk through the property with the inspector so you can ask questions and get as much information as possible.
When you’re fixing up a house to sell it, you need to know what is selling in your area. This will keep you from overspending or not upgrading enough. You want to make sure your house as the same counters as other houses, that your bathroom has the same finishes and you are right on par with the neighborhood.
Tour houses in your neighborhood that are for sale so you can see what your competition offers. Then decide where you want to invest in your fixer upper project.