8 Warning Signs when Considering Home Renovations

8 Warning Signs when Considering Home Renovations

Your clients may be looking for a fixer-upper for their next home, but there are some critical things they should look into before signing those papers. While they may think a cheaper home is worth it, major problems can cause endless frustrations and become money pits. Apart from having an expert do an inspection to ensure the house is free from flood damage and termites, there are other important things you must warn your clients about.

1)    Foundation Problems

Many old homes have foundation issues that can be very costly to fix. If your clients are thinking of buying a historic home, advise them to inspect the bedrooms, living room, and basement last. The basement can hide a multitude of problems. While most home inspectors will notice basement problems quickly, tell the homebuyers to also look for signs of dampness. Walls that seem dry may be kept in that condition by bucks of silica, dehumidifiers, and other things that trap moisture and keep it at bay.

2)    Bad Flooring

Carpets hide a lot of flooring problems. Advise your clients to lift them up and check for mold or mildew. They can do this by pulling carpet corners back or examining the lowest side of the room. Most genuine home sellers remove a section of the carpet so that buyers can see the condition of the floors.

3)    Damaged Roof

Roofs that have been properly installed can last up to 25 years. While adding a second roofing layer isn’t very expensive, removing one or two layers before adding a new one is very costly. A damaged roof will have cracks, curls, or missing shingles that are noticeable from the ground.

4)    Spoilt Windows

Nothing is as annoying as struggling with a window that won’t open. Tell your clients to open all the windows in the house to check if they are working. Replacing windows is not only hard; it is also expensive. Double-paned windows are more advisable as they are easy to maintain and increase the energy-efficiency of a home.

5)    Bad Insulation

A well-insulated house is not only warm in the colder months; it is cool in the warmer months. Energy prices are at an all-time high, and good insulation is crucial for those who want to reduce their energy bills. The walls must be insulated, and the ceiling must have a foot of insulation.

6)    Faulty Faucets

Changing faucets is not a difficult task, but it can be time consuming. Unless your client doubles as a plumber, he will find it very uncomfortable lying under a cabinet and fiddling with funny tools to get things removed. Advise homebuyers to make sure all the faucets are working properly before they make a purchase.

7)    General Kitchen Problems

When it comes to remodeling, the kitchen takes the lead in cost. An average kitchen remodel will cost your clients approximately $20,000. Tell them to examine cabinets, counters, flooring, and appliances. The cabinets should be made of solid wood and the counters should be made of solid surfaces. Tile floors last longer than laminate floors and are a good option. Modern home appliances are also a great choice as they won’t need repairs or replacement.

8)    General Bathroom Problems

Bathrooms are not only costly to remodel; they can disrupt the lives of the home’s occupants when faulty. Bathroom problems to avoid include cracked toilets, sinks, tubs, and leaking pipes. A good way to check for leaking pipes is by looking at the access panel at the rear of the tub. If the bathroom is not on the ground floor, the ceiling below it will have some telltale signs. Piping repairs on the second floor are very costly.

While most homes require cosmetic changes, avoiding costly repairs can save your clients a lot of frustrations. Advise homebuyers on these 8 warning signs so that they can enjoy living in their new abode stress-free.

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