Remodeling an Old House? Don’t Make These Common Mistakes

A home is often considered “older” if built 50 years ago or more. Because home building industry standards have changed, I’d even say 30-50 years or more. My neighborhood is one of those “older home” neighborhoods, and most of the homes I work in are older. Older homes have charm, but they can also come with problems that need to be addressed. For many homeowners, one significant problem is updating kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Before remodeling your older home, though, it’s important to know common mistakes homeowners make when starting a remodeling project.

1. Not researching contractors. There are a number of home improvement contractors out there, and it’s important to find one you can work with. Start by asking family and friends who’ve used general contractors about who they used and how their experience was. Don’t just rely on their recommendations. Do your research by looking at contractor websites, visiting the Better Business Bureau, or reading reviews. 

When you narrow your search to 3-5 potential contractors, ask them for 2-5 references. Talk to their clients to see how easy they were to work with; if they completed their work on time and within budget; and how satisfied their former clients are with the completed work. I know this seems like a lot of work, but you want to find a contractor you’re comfortable with and who comes highly recommended. Be patient with your search, and know that contractors are always busy. If you want a new kitchen by August, for example, you should look for a contractor in March/April so you can get on their schedule. 

2. Choosing the cheapest quote. I know remodeling is expensive, and you might be looking to save some money, but choosing the cheapest quote could potentially cause you problems in the long run. 

Make sure your contractor is licensed and insured. You can ask them directly. Most states have licensing boards online where you can input information to find out if your contractor is licensed in your city or county. You can request a certificate of insurance from your contractor as well. 

Expect different contractors to present differently priced estimates. Say you’ve asked five contractors for estimates, and two come in low, two are close in price and middle range, and one is expensive. Be careful about choosing the low bids. Why? Those lower estimates might be missing something in them. Contractors might also be using lower-quality materials and subcontractors. They might also have left out permitting costs and trash removal. You will have to pay for permits and trash removal.

Some contractors might be giving you a low estimate to get the job, and then hit you with additional costs once they have the work. 

Also, be wary of contractors who offer a discount for cash or won’t provide you with a receipt. These are fraudulent contractors who will, most likely, not complete the work accurately. 

When you have your estimates, make certain all work and all materials are included. Your estimates, depending on the scope and scale of work, should be longer and include line-by-line details of all materials, including permit fees, drawing fees (if your contractor needs to consult an architect), and trash disposal fees. Discuss your questions with your contractor and make sure they’ve answered all your questions. 

Finally, keep in mind that contractors may find unanticipated problems, like mold. It’s difficult for a contractor to know exactly what problems might pop up without opening walls and ceilings, and removing floors. Expect an unexpected problem that won’t be in the estimate. 

3. Not focusing on structure.

Older homes may develop certain problems as they age, particularly with their structure, including foundation problems, roof needs, windows, doors, joists, and exhaust fan(s). As exciting as it is to update an older home, it’s also important to make sure it’s structurally sound. Before any remodeling can happen, ask your contractor to look at your house to see if they can spot obvious structural problems. If you’d rather, you can also hire a home inspector to look for any structural concerns. They run approximately $300-500 and are worth the investment. You’ll know ahead of time if there’s anything important that must be fixed before your project can begin. 

Some concerns that should be addressed include: any previous water damage and ventilation. If there was once water damage, like a pipe burst, or your kitchen fan vents to the attic (a big problem), your house must be checked to make sure the repair work was completed correctly. Structural problems must be taken care of before they worsen and cause damage.

4. Not getting permits

I wrote a blog post on permits earlier this year, which you can read here: Permits. 

Make sure your contractor pulls permits for your project. You can also pull a permit, but a permit is usually under a general contractor’s license, so it might be best to have your contractor take care of it.

Permits protect you from shoddy work as city or county inspectors make certain the work has been done correctly before they sign off. 

If your city or county finds out about your remodeling project without a permit, you might be forced to tear it out, get a permit, and start over. This will cost you time and money. 

5. Rushing the remodeling job.

Remodeling takes time. Yes, you will be inconvenienced for a period of time, but the result will be worth it. Ask your contractor for an estimate of how long the project will take, but I suggest adding time to their estimate, just in case. Why? Sometimes deliveries are delayed, or your contractor has an emergency, or you’ve made a number of changes to the project, which will take more time to complete. 

6. Signed contracts are important too.

A contract is a legal document, protecting you and your contractor. How will your contractor bill you? When are payments due? What types of payments are accepted? Make sure you know those answers so you are prepared to render payment in a timely fashion. If your contractor is using subcontractors and ordering materials, everyone needs payment in a timely fashion. 

7. What if mold is found?

You’ll know mold: a typically dark gray or black speckled fuzzy-looking substance that forms and spreads on damp and humid surfaces. It’s usually found in basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. Ignoring mold can lead to serious health problems, like respiratory issues, bronchitis, and fungal infections. 

Ignoring mold can also lead to structural problems as it compromises insulation, wood beams, floors, and drywall. You will have to have the mold removed and the area cleaned before work can progress. 

8. Asbestos: another problem in older homes. 

Depending on when your home was built, it may have asbestos, a known carcinogen, in it. It was widely used in the mid-twentieth century in building materials because of its strength, heat resistance, and ability to resist corrosion. 

It’s often found in roofing shingles, floor tiles and tile glue, drywall compound, and insulation. It must be professionally removed and safely disposed of. 

9. Skipping preparatory work.

Before the actual remodeling can begin, it’s important to make sure the area is ready for remodeling. This means, if you have a bowed floor, for example, you want to make sure the base flooring is fixed before laying a new floor. Or if you have galvanized pipes, for example, you might want to replace them with a modern, safer pipe. 

There are more tips for homeowners who are considering a remodeling project in their older home. Check out my next blog post on June 13 to find out more tips.