Repairs to Look for in Your New Fixer Upper

If you’re like most people, purchasing a property is the largest investment you’ll make. And while you might be tempted to buy a brand new home that’s in mint condition, such a property might be out of your price range. Opting instead for an older home can help you keep things within your budget. Of course, there are some caveats to going this route. Simply put, seasoned homes are more likely to harbor structural and cosmetic damage that requires repair.

While the previous owner might make some of these repairs to prop up the price tag, you might encounter some areas that still need attention after the fact. On the plus side, investing in these repairs for your fixer-upper will make your home more appealing and valuable -- on the other hand, tackling these projects can take plenty of time and money. Prioritizing your repair projects is a good way to keep your finances in check while doing the most for your worn-down property. With that in mind, here are some key repairs to consider making in your new fixer-upper.

Common Fixer Upper Repairs

Start with Structural Concerns

When renovating your ramshackle residence, begin by having its structure thoroughly assessed (if this hasn’t been done already). A home that’s losing its structural integrity poses a serious threat to you and anyone else inside. A collapsing floor, for instance, can cause severe injury or worse. Beyond these immediate risks, a weakened property can quickly lead to other issues that require your attention. For example, if your foundation isn’t sound, your basement might experience regular moisture intrusion, which can then lead to mold and mildew infestation, rot, and more. In other words, making any and all structural repairs will keep you safe and allow you to prevent other issues from occurring for the time being.

Roof Repairs

Next up, hire an expert to inspect your roof for damage. Many fixer-uppers haven’t seen new shingles or seal-jobs for far too long. As a result, your new place might experience leaks and drafts regularly. And the more vulnerable your roof is, the more vulnerable your entire home will be (not to mention less energy-efficient). Fixing up your roof will protect your fixer-upper from rain, wind, UV rays, pests, and more. While you’re at it, get your gutters inspected and repaired/replaced as well.

Don’t Undercut Utilities

Your home won’t be of much use to you or anyone if its utilities are out of order. When buying a fixer-upper, you might find that its plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other key systems are either outdated, in decline, or out of commission altogether. Lacking these important utilities isn’t merely an inconvenience, either -- it will cause your property to deteriorate more rapidly. Consider, for instance, that a lack of proper plumbing can result in water damage and that faulty cooling or heating can cause wooden features to warp and paint to crack. For these reasons, it’s wise to at least inspect and repair these systems, if not entirely replace them with modern counterparts. Outfitting your fixer-upper with brand new appliances and utilities can be expensive and time-consuming, but it’s often worth it if you want your home to stick around for several decades to come.

Dings and Dents in Drywall

Once you’ve looked for issues with your home’s structure, roofing, and utilities, you can begin examining and updating its appearance. In many cases, cosmetic concerns point to deeper issues anyway or at least open the door for larger future problems. Your drywall is a good place to start at this juncture. Scratches, dents, and holes in your drywall are typically just eyesores. Still, large enough punctures can contribute to energy loss, water damage, pest intrusion, and so on, so it’s important to fortify your drywall as quickly as you can. You might also spend time repairing drywall after wallpaper removal (if applicable), as old wallpaper can be quite difficult to remove without leaving significant residue or even taking some of the drywall with it.

Fading, Chipping, and/or Peeling Paint

Most fixer-uppers could use a fresh coat of paint inside and outside. Dust, debris, sunlight, uneven temperatures and humidity levels, and the forces of time will cause paint to lose its color and gradually peel away from the substrate. And even if your home’s paint job isn’t in a serious state of disrepair, you might simply wish to change up its color scheme to make your fixer-upper feel fresh and more personalized for your preferences. Before you invest in new home interior painting, though, make sure any underlying issues have been resolved -- if your home’s HVAC system is still out of whack, for instance, your new paint job might not apply properly or last very long in these conditions. Likewise, exterior house painting services shouldn’t begin until after all surfaces are properly prepared via pressure washing, sanding, caulking, and priming.

Deck Deterioration

A wooden deck can add significant value to any property, so long as it’s in good condition. If your deck is also a bit of a fixer-upper, then it’s worth making an effort to restore this important feature. Decks with minor damage might merely require thorough cleaning and application of fresh wood deck stain. More severe damage such as cracked or missing boards, rot, weakened structure, etc., will require more significant repairs. And if the deck has deteriorated beyond repair, you’ll have to tear it down entirely and either do something else with this area or install a brand new deck to replace the old one.

Dingy Doors

Lastly, don’t overlook the doors of your fixer-upper, especially your primary entry door. After you’ve repaired, repainted, and otherwise replaced various features of your fixer-upper, your front door will stick out like a sore thumb if you’ve left it untouched. Taking the time to refinish your door will complete the transformation from fixer-upper to freshly fixed-up. Plus, repairing, refinishing, or replacing your doors will help you keep your home energy-efficient by blocking air leakage (the same goes for your windows, of course).

Finding a fixer-upper that’s worth your time, money, and energy is nearly half the battle -- executing all necessary repairs to transform your fixer-upper is the other side of the coin. While buying an older home and investing in repairs isn’t for everyone, it can be a worthwhile endeavor for many others. Whether you’re planning on purchasing a new fixer-upper or you already need to start making repairs, Nash Painting is here to help. We’ve serviced countless properties (new and old) across Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin, TN, turning them into the homes and businesses of our customers’ dreams.

To learn more about us, our services, and our values, call us at 615-829-6858 today!