Whether you are looking to invest in a fixer-upper for resale or want to purchase it as your first home, one fact to contend with is that the structure will require renovations for it to become valuable real estate. Nonetheless, not many homeowners know how best to go about converting this structure into a comfortable living space. Instead, they make the mistake of gutting the entire building and end up having to spend exorbitant amounts of money to put it back together. If you are considering investing in a fixer-upper, there are some aspects to bear in mind to ensure that you successfully remodel the structure. Below are a couple of tips that can come in handy when renovating a fixer-upper.

Tip 1: Start with what is behind the walls

Before you can make any aesthetic changes to the structure, you have to determine what is behind the walls of the structure. Some fixer-uppers may be quite old and, thus, will have outdated plumbing and electrical systems. You should hire professional contractors who will be able to inspect the insulation, piping, HVAC, electrical and other systems that are tasked with keeping the structure comfortable.

If any of the systems are past their shelf life or if they do not meet building code standards, it would be prudent to have them replaced. Luckily, this presents you the opportunity to invest in energy-efficient options that would help in reducing the overall utility costs of the structure for the long-term.

Tip 2: Refresh the different wall surfaces

Once you have addressed the internal systems of the structure, you can then start renovating the walls of the home. There are some things to keep in mind when it comes to refreshing the wall surfaces. Firstly, you may want to engage in power washing the exterior walls. The power washing will give you a better sense of how deprecated the surfaces are or if a simple coat of paint will suffice to breathe life to the exterior of the building. If painting may not be sufficient for the exterior walls, you could opt to install siding that will make the walls appear brand new while camouflaging any flaws and imperfections.

When it comes to the interior walls, if prepping has not eliminated all the flaws, choose matte paints over gloss finishes. In addition to this, you should consider décor accessories such as mouldings that will add some character to the interior walls while taking attention away from imperfections.

For more information and help with renovating a fixer upper, contact home renovations contractors in your area.