Here is a list of things that need to be updated in an old house. My question is how do you put them in order? What must be done before others? Some seem obvious, like last sightsee. Bonus question – how much will all this cost? I've seen these renovations made on television for the operating budgets of $ 30k – 80k. How much in the area of San Francisco, though? 1. Remodeling the kitchen (cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring) 2. New liner 3. Install the security system 4. Replacement windows along 5. Remodeling bathroom 6. Living Room extension 7. New playground 8. New landscaping (grass, shrubs, flower beds, watering) 9. Install recessed lighting and ceiling fixtures 10. New flooring and carpet throughout Thank you for these great answers. A lot of good advice that I will keep in my planning book. I wish I could give you 10 points each. The quotes we're getting in my area are so high. $ 9k for a small bathroom remodel, basic accessories. $ 1k per window (hinged bedroom). I wish we could do more DIY but work and have limited skills or family helpers with time / skills too. I was happy to learn … I hate to be vague, but I am a professional construction estimator and planner and I have the latest labor and material accounting cost index here on my desk. Reality check is that the work of remodeling costs 40% more in the San Francisco area than the average in the rest of the country. You would be lucky to have all the work done for less than $ 125,000. Just a kitchen remodel if you are hiring all out could easily cost you $ 50,000. I would recommend to first assess how long it will stay in the house and what is the value of other homes in the neighborhood. Investing more in the house that the average value in the neighborhood never have even a portion of it back when you sell. If money is tight, forego expensive major projects such as the extension of the living room. Replacing windows can save you money on heating and cooling, and tends to make a mess what they have done for the first time. Don, t let you do matters of style boot perfectly functional bathroom and kitchen components when they are clean and work well. Think hard about how much there is to do and how much we are thinking about changing just because you think you will be more elegant. Remember, what's in style at the home show this year is going to look cowardly five years from now. Not everything that everyone long ago in the home decorating shows sought laminate flooring and kitchen furniture white or cherry. Now those are considered outdated. Keep it simple and you can change whatever is necessary and functional. Note that older homes tend to have hidden problems such as damaged pipes and wiring, structural weaknesses and problems such as asbestos, lead paint and water damage. Make sure you allow a reserve fund of $ 10,000 to $ 20,000 to deal with these things as they arise. "Rehab Addict" on HGTV and the DIY channel is a good sight to see for anyone with a very old townhouse. Nicole Contractor rehabilitates old houses in Minneapolis and does a great job of refurbishing and save existing components without the cost of removal of all. Personally, I think the recessed lighting should be high on your priorities. It tends to be expensive in old houses and generally not worth the expense. I note that few people actually use both at home once you install it. Things like paving, landscaping and accessory replacements are jobs that you can learn to do yourself to save money. In addition, you will save thousands of $ and get much better results if you invest in a membership to Angie's List to find recommended contractors in your area. I have had extremely good experiences with all the contractors I've found through them while doing a series of renovations in the past year. Many offer coupons and special offers and you can read firsthand reports of customers of your services and prices. I got quotes for replacement windows with low emissivity of quality for under $ 400 each through the people I met there.
If your kitchen is in need of a change, consider a kitchen remodel. Remodeling your kitchen can increase the value of your home. In the first video of this is. . .
