https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:07:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887550 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 23:34:20 +0000 birdofafeather 2887550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oskarsmommy: we have a 1929 spanish bungalow in ventura county. i wish we had more cash to fix it up completely, but we're 3 years in and just going bit by bit.</p> <p>@bees_knees: to answer your question, we're maybe 30% into a renovation of an old house and sometimes i want to curse everything, but honestly, we couldn't afford a completely redone home where we live, everything in the neighborhood is 20s-50s and if it is redone, we don't like the style at all! so i wish we had more $$$ to redo everything at once, but for now, i'm happy, i like putting our stamp on things and it fits our budget. so many decisions when we do redo things (always down to studs to replace everything) but it has so much character. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887541 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 19:24:44 +0000 wrkbrk 2887541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Petitduck: I don’t know what we were thinking! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887539 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 19:03:50 +0000 Petitduck 2887539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: thinking of building a house from scratch stresses me out! Way too many decisions to make. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887538 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 18:58:35 +0000 wrkbrk 2887538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bees_knees: We didn’t remodel a house but we built one from scratch - I wouldn’t do it again. It was a tremendous amount of work and energy and time and we only had one kid and weren’t living amidst the construction. But, plenty of people enjoy it. We did not. You have to know yourself and whether a project like that sounds exciting to you or dreadful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887533 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 18:05:47 +0000 oskarsmommy 2887533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So our house was built in 1920’s, and we renovated. If I had to do it again i would not. It was in bad shape though (old cloth electrical). I’ll include a link that has pics of what it looked like - then what we did. (We have updated-the kitchen further and some fixtures, but these are the pics i have)The first round we spent 125k. Then we put another 55 into a new roof, landscaping, painting and fixing garage. We just went through a disasterous mold situation. The ONLY way I would do it again is if I had 200k, or enough to go down to the studs. Also I would have done the boring stuff that saves your ass up front (roof, new sewage drains, proper drainage around the house, vapor barrier, etc). Good luck! Happy to share more of my experience. </p> <p><a href="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1276-S-Sycamore-Ave-Los-Angeles-CA-90019/20601000_zpid/" rel="nofollow">https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1276-S-Sycamore-Ave-Los-Angeles-CA-90019/20601000_zpid/</a> </p> [attach=7195/19/pswo5n.600x450.5193D1D9-C68B-47DA-99B2-F6F2B42E35C5.jpeg] [attach=7195/19/pswo5o.600x450.870DE571-705C-4418-A61F-AB487A2975EC.jpeg] [attach=7195/19/pswo5q.600x450.5BE60C65-BD46-448C-987E-F6E007CD3F45.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887474 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 13:15:14 +0000 periwinklebee 2887474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends upon the scope. There's a ton of old housing stock where we are at. We considered a 1930 house that needed a complete gut - amazing location and price but we just didn't have it in us to do what would be a complete overhaul that would take 18 months and require us to make SO MANY DECISIONS. We recently moved into a house built in the early 1800s. It does need some renovations but the scope is much more modest and they are mostly renovations that will add a lot of value to the house because they are very visible. Generally you add more value with visible renovations, whereas non-visible stuff can be a huge resource suck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887465 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 12:51:15 +0000 bees_knees 2887465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone for your input and experiences! We can crash with my parents for as long as we need, we have 100k (or more) in cash for the reno, and DH and I have the same style and are total DIYers. He’s actually talked to his dad about coming to help for a couple weeks too, if it all works out. My FIL has totally renovated his house from the 1930s all by himself (literally!) so he’d be good to have around :silly: My hesitation is def a) not having a firm budget...since who knows what you’ll run into! We would have a contingency but still... and b) being pregnant and/or having a newborn during this all. Luckily my family is awesome help as far as childcare goes! I just don’t want the opportunity for this property to pass us by, it’s basically a once in a decade chance to grab something like this for our area! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887448 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 11:41:15 +0000 Littlebit7 2887448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Make sure the 1980 addition is permitted and to code. If they get into the house and the inspector peeks at the addition and it’s not up to snuff...that could be a major anchor that drags you down. </p> <p>I think renos can be great but they can also be budget and soul sucking and I’d give it some hard thought if now is the right time for you. And they are always more expensive and take longer than even the best contractor can estimate. We are doing what I call a gut reno “lite” right now. We are buying a renovated 1800s row home that is being done on spec from a local builder. So he is assuming all liability for the build...we just buy it when he’s finished. Is that an option in your area? We’ve been able to select a lot of finishes as well. </p> <p>I was a fly on the wall for my best friends townhouse gut last year; it took nearly twice as long, cost 30% more, she was pregnant at the time...it was hell. They are happy with it now...but she says she wouldn’t do it again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887421 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 09:47:03 +0000 graceandjoy 2887421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So our house wasn't that old; probably built in 60s or maybe even 70s. But after we bought it, we had to completely gut and renovate. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm super picky and most houses that are brand new that I could afford, I wouldn't be able to afford to CHANGE anything and I'd feel bad anyway since it's already updated. Going at it from scratch gave us a lot of freedom to choose what we wanted to do. It helped that we had a reliable contractor (he was a friend), so he was pretty clear on our vision and we were happy with the things that he made decisions on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887410 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 09:16:34 +0000 JCCovi 2887410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our first house was a 1905 remodel that had been axed into apartment units and had serious foundational issues. We took a combination approach of using a GC for the structural and serious issues and DIY for the more cosmetic stuff. (For instance they had to replace the hardwoods in 2 rooms and we finished the floors ourselves). It turns out we are not DIY people and I would only do a historic reno again if I could afford 2x the top to bottom price quoted by the contractor. It’s always way more then the initial quote! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887399 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 07:26:49 +0000 Petitduck 2887399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You have to love it and if you do then go for it. Older houses typically take a lot of time and money. My friend has an amazing beautiful 120 year old home that they have lived in for 15 years now. They have put in probably 200k (paid 325 for it) in renos and upkeep and it always needs something. They bought it because it was one of the only houses big enough and they loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887397 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 02:43:19 +0000 Hypatia 2887397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you don’t have to DIY it, there’s no major structural issues, and you have the money set aside (vs going into debt), it might be worth it. </p> <p>We bought a house that’s 40 years old (I know, not nearly the same age!), and while we love it, there’s so much money we might not ever get back. We’ve spent $35,000 over the past two years (and not on pretty things, but new HVAC, fixing rotten wood, new exterior stain, gutters, etc.). And now it looks like we might be moving in the next six months for my husband’s job...we are going to try to increase the sale price so we break even, but I doubt that will happen. </p> <p>If I had known then what kind of money we would need to put into it, I honestly don’t think I would have bought it. We thought we’d be renovating bathrooms and replace carpet with hardwood, but we don’t have the money for that now. It feels like a heavy weight around our necks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887395 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 02:20:29 +0000 Kemma 2887395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do it if there were no major structural issues and I had the funds to hire a project manager and not DIY it. Renovating / remodeling is always a pain but it’s less of a pain if you don’t have to live in construction zone while you find the time and money to finish it! Having a good project manager allows you to let go of the minor details and scheduling and to have somebody driving the project and keeping it on track (I always found the hardest part of reno-ing to be finding the headspace and motivation to make the decisions and do all the legwork). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887390 Sun, 09 Jun 2019 22:31:01 +0000 ALV91711 2887390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would if I didn’t have to live in it while the renos are being done. Also, will the two of you easily be able to agree on what you want done? </p> <p>My mom &amp; step-dad did a major reno a few years back and they had greatly differing opinions on how things should look. They both had to make a lot of compromises to get things done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887371 Sun, 09 Jun 2019 17:05:18 +0000 bees_knees 2887371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: that has crossed my mind too. And asbestos 😬</p> <p>@lioneyes: @jhd: we are calling contractors tomorrow to see if they had walk through the house with us and give an estimate. I’ll make sure we ask how much experience they have with older home restorations. Thanks!</p> <p>ETA: this is all still a long shot. The property is way WAY overpriced. So many things have to fall into place first, I just don’t I know if we’re crazy for even considering 🤣 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887366 Sun, 09 Jun 2019 14:35:53 +0000 jhd 2887366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have reliable, trusted people you can hire to do the work? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887365 Sun, 09 Jun 2019 14:34:06 +0000 lioneyes 2887365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have and would again (but most homes in my neighborhood are from the 1700-1800s!) It all depends on the contractor. How familiar is he with old houses? If not then his estimates vs actuals could be wildly off. Also, can you afford to stay in your current home/move to temp housing while work is being done? I would not advise trying to live through a reno like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887363 Sun, 09 Jun 2019 12:35:08 +0000 MenagerieMama 2887363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven’t done it but I wanted to mention the main thing that would worry me - lead paint! A house that age probably has lead paint (in some layer) so you would have to be very carefully with anything you’re doing disrupting that and throwing lead particles around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/people-who-have-renovatedremodeled-an-old-house#post-2887361 Sun, 09 Jun 2019 12:01:28 +0000 bees_knees 2887361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>...would you do it again?</p> <p>We have the opportunity to buy a home built in 1916 (addition added in 1980s). It is liveable, but needs a LOT of work. Normally we are “new hoise, modern conveniences” type people, but...the location and property is perfect. We have the funds to do a substantial remodel, I just don’t know if I have the energy :silly: </p> <p>People who have done it...tell me about your experiences! Am I insane for maybe wanting to do this? (To throw another complication into things, we are expecting our 4th baby in November...and have 3 other little boys! 😬) </p>