So You Think You Can Take On A Fixer-Upper? Here Are Some Top Tips

Buying a property can be a bit of a rollercoaster. Rising house prices mean it can be difficult to find something in your budget, or mean you have to look elsewhere to find something you can afford.

The other option, and one that’s becoming increasingly popular, is to take on a fixer-upper. A property in need of TLC and some serious renovations can be a fantastic project, helping you build your dream home.

But while the prospect of fixing up a house can be exciting, it takes a lot of hard work to get to the end result.

If you’re up to the challenge, here are some tips to follow for taking on a fixer-upper.



Find the right type of property

Choosing the right type of property can make all the difference to the success of your renovation project. You’ll want to explore properties that have potential, even if most people can’t see it. Some renovations will be minor or cosmetic, but there are others that will give you a little more flexibility and will enable you to make changes to the property that will make it a desirable place to live.

When you take on a renovation property, you stand a good chance of making back what you’ve paid and more. Even if you don’t plan on selling your home, you’ll have a great investment for your future.

Choose the right location

Location is one of the most important considerations when deciding to buy a fixer-upper. Finding a property in a place you’ll want to live, such as somewhere close to schools, stores and other amenities will make a big difference to your home’s potential future value. A ‘good’ location means different things to different people, but it’s essential to find somewhere you’d be happy to live.

Assess all the work that needs to be done

Once you’ve found the perfect property, you can get to work on planning everything that needs to be done to turn it into your dream home. There are some works that could be completely essential, such as rewiring or roof repairs, and others will be for you to decide to help you best realize your dream house.

You’ll need to become highly organized to help you plan out all the work that needs doing to your property. Learning how to project manage your house renovation will help you take control and plan out all the work to a schedule, and to a budget.

Get inspections carried out

Fixer-uppers can come with some hidden problems that might not be apparent straight away. Bringing in the professionals to carry out inspections can help you feel confident knowing that all the major works have been identified and considered.

Consulting with a property damage restoration company can help you assess property damage due to floor water, fire, etc. Having professionals assess the damage will help you put the right restoration works in place so that you can focus on doing up the other elements of your property.
Choose the DIY route to save money

Choosing a fixer-upper means you can save a lot of money on the price of your property. But it also means you’re going to end up spending a lot on all of the work needed to bring it up to scratch.

Many people who take on a major home renovation choose to do the work themselves. This can be a great way to save money and learn a lot of new skills, but it can make the process longer and much more frustrating.

There are a lot of places you can learn different DIY skills, but you should probably leave the more dangerous elements to the professionals.

Consider all of your home renovation ideas and work out what you can do yourself to save money, and what you’re going to need some professional help with.

Don’t cut corners

Throughout the home renovation process, you’ll probably try to cut corners or scrimp on things to help you save money. While it might seem clever at the time, cutting corners could come back to bite you in the future. It’s better to take your time, save a little more money and get the job done right than face having to carry out extensive and costly repairs in years to come.

A home renovation is an incredible way to get on the property ladder and design your dream home. While it’s not always an easy ride, you’ll feel incredibly proud of all your hard work when it comes together.

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