If you are someone who loves the homes that grace the covers of vintage architectural magazines, and are in the market for a house of your own, you have some things to consider. These types of homes are full of yesterday's charm, but they can also be full of yesterday's plumbing and wiring. Historic preservation contractors suggest you take a close and realistic look at any property on, or worthy of being on, the national register before you commit to a purchase.
When touring these properties, it is a good idea to have a checklist with you. It's not hard to forget things when you are first going through a property. Old homes sometimes have looks that can be deceiving. You need to make sure you have thoroughly inspected everything on your checklist before you leave the property. Taking a contractor with you can speed the process.
Even from a distance you can begin to inspect one of these properties. Check the roof line for sags, leaning chimneys, and other signs of disrepair. As you get closer, you need to check to see if tiles are missing and evaluate the condition of eaves and gutters. Inside, an inspection of fireplaces will tell whether or not flue liners are intact.
When you are touring the interior you should walk with purpose. Checking for creaks, slants, uneven places, and cracks will give you a good idea about the overall condition of the structural integrity of the house. Old stairs can have rickety steps and loose railings.
It is important to take a good look at all the walls and ceilings. Discoloration and sagging may indicate water damage. Cracks can mean that the house has foundation issues. Previous residents might have painted or wallpapered over problems, so it may be necessary to look closely and run your hands over the walls. You should inspect lighting fixtures as closely as possible at the same time.
Basements and attics can be musty and dark, but they are important elements of the structure and should be thoroughly inspected. They can indicate whether there have been water issues over the years. You need to find the hot water heaters to assess their age and condition. If possible, you should find out if there is existing insulation and what type it is.
The previous owner may or may not have had the electrical and plumbing systems updated. If you aren't a professional electrician or plumber, you might need someone to look at the systems in the home and tell you whether they are up to code or outdated. You might not even be able to close on the house until some repairs have been made.
Historic homes that have been carefully renovated are beautiful. They are full of the kind of embellishments and ornamentation not seen in newer houses. These homes can be expensive to refurbish however. You have to decide if the effort is worth the cost.
When touring these properties, it is a good idea to have a checklist with you. It's not hard to forget things when you are first going through a property. Old homes sometimes have looks that can be deceiving. You need to make sure you have thoroughly inspected everything on your checklist before you leave the property. Taking a contractor with you can speed the process.
Even from a distance you can begin to inspect one of these properties. Check the roof line for sags, leaning chimneys, and other signs of disrepair. As you get closer, you need to check to see if tiles are missing and evaluate the condition of eaves and gutters. Inside, an inspection of fireplaces will tell whether or not flue liners are intact.
When you are touring the interior you should walk with purpose. Checking for creaks, slants, uneven places, and cracks will give you a good idea about the overall condition of the structural integrity of the house. Old stairs can have rickety steps and loose railings.
It is important to take a good look at all the walls and ceilings. Discoloration and sagging may indicate water damage. Cracks can mean that the house has foundation issues. Previous residents might have painted or wallpapered over problems, so it may be necessary to look closely and run your hands over the walls. You should inspect lighting fixtures as closely as possible at the same time.
Basements and attics can be musty and dark, but they are important elements of the structure and should be thoroughly inspected. They can indicate whether there have been water issues over the years. You need to find the hot water heaters to assess their age and condition. If possible, you should find out if there is existing insulation and what type it is.
The previous owner may or may not have had the electrical and plumbing systems updated. If you aren't a professional electrician or plumber, you might need someone to look at the systems in the home and tell you whether they are up to code or outdated. You might not even be able to close on the house until some repairs have been made.
Historic homes that have been carefully renovated are beautiful. They are full of the kind of embellishments and ornamentation not seen in newer houses. These homes can be expensive to refurbish however. You have to decide if the effort is worth the cost.
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You can get an overview of the things to keep in mind when selecting historic preservation contractors at http://www.nevic.construction/historic right now.
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