From Cynthia Loudermilk Spencer

Whether you’re rescuing a period gem or simply renovating your neglected house, casting a new light onto an old home can be immensely rewarding. Still, before you get overpowered by all the enthusiasm, make sure you’ve dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s. Preparing for renovation is a process of its own, and apart from helping you estimate the renovation budget more accurately, it makes the process go more smoothly. Let’s look into this renovation checklist to see if you’ve got everything lined up. Check the foundation Although many a mason will swear that old homes have been built more thoroughly from the ground up, their foundations don’t always stand the test of time, let alone upgrades and extensions. When talking about cement blocks or cinder blocks that were used from the mid-1960s on the back, keep in mind the cider portion is not as structurally sound as cement, so chances are there are cracks through which water can penetrate. On top of that, applying foundation sealer on the outside wasn’t a typical treatment in homes built 40 or 50 years ago, and now digging up the landscape and removing sidewalks to apply exterior sealing can double your renovation budget. Cracked foundations are also a common source of radon, a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the ground as a result of soil decomposition. A correct course of action is to seal the inside of blocks in the basement, as well as diverting as much water as possible away from the house, using drainpipes and grading. Secure the site and clean it afterwards Finally, you need to make sure your renovation site is safe, as health and safety is the responsibility of the building owner. This includes dealing with hazardous waste and method statement for demolition. It’s not a rare case that homeowners rush into demolition, falling short of listed building consents, only to find out they’ve damaged the internal structure, for which they didn’t have a permit. When it comes to getting rid of rubbish, it’s important to separate different types of waste. Such practice is not only environmentally-friendly, but you can also make money from surplus fixtures and fittings. Make sure you salvage anything that can be of use, sell things that are in good condition, and responsibly dispose of items and materials damaged beyond repair. Survey for hazardous materials There are two potentially hazardous materials that often occur in older homes – lead and asbestos. Lead is typically found in interior and exterior paint, which can chip and crumble into lead dust during a renovation, where it poses a health hazard for the renovators and the occupants. In addition, although lead pipes were rarely used after the 1940s, the earliest galvanized pipes still contained lead until it was fully replaced by zinc. Even up to mid-1980s, the lead was used for soldering copper pipes. Lead inspection can detect the presence of lead particles in the home so you can plan for a removal strategy. Asbestos, on the other hand, was popular as an insulating and fire retardant material. Its fine fibrous structure can easily break during remodels, releasing fine toxic dust that has been traced to a range of lung diseases. Hiring a professional asbestos removal service ensures that asbestos floor or roof elements are safely removed from your home and disposed of in a non-harmful way. Upgrade the wiring Chances are that when your old house was built, grounded electrical outlets weren’t required by code or required only in certain locations where water is present such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. But the codes and standards have changed, so if the outlets in your home are designed for two-pronged plugs, they need to be replaced with three-pronged versions. In addition, building code today requires that you complete your wiring with a ground-fault interrupter or GFI outlets in your baths and the kitchen. It’s a small investment, but it can save lives. Renovating an old home can be an exciting project, but keep in mind that old homes often hold secrets that only a thorough inspection can discover. Once you take care of them, the bulk of your works may begin.

Granny flats have become very popular nowadays, and it’s not hard to see why. They can be used for many different purposes, and they can raise the value of the whole property. However, considering they are relatively small, designing them can sometimes be a challenge. So, to help you make your granny flat look like million bucks, here are a few decorating ideas you should think about. Try Scandi style Scandinavian style is a well-known and highly popular style that is all about functionality and minimalism. It’s perfect for smaller spaces precisely because it can make them look much larger. The way to achieve this is by focusing on buying furniture that is practical and preferably multifunctional, introducing lots of nature into the space, using neutral colors, and letting in enough natural light. Furthermore, instead of the typical curtains, consider using Roman shades, use smaller rugs instead of bigger carpets, and add pops of color with plants and artwork. Add more storage Storage can sometimes be a problem in granny flats, but luckily, there are many ways to prevent this potential problem. As mentioned, you should opt for multifunctional furniture items – more precisely, those that double as storage units. Another option is to make use of the vertical space and install more shelves or hang multilevel baskets. There are also many storage options that you can easily make on your own, and some of them can be very stylish as well. Don’t neglect the outdoors When it comes to designing your granny flat, you should make use of every inch of space, and that includes the front porch as well. Even a small patio can be designed in a way to that would boost the appearance of the whole granny flat, so if you do have it, don’t neglect it. It can be a great place for a morning cup of coffee or a relaxing cup of tea in the evening. Or, it can serve as a small garden with a reading nook. It can also be connected to the indoors by using bigger windows, glass doors (with blinds to maintain privacy when needed), and indoor-style furniture. If you don’t really know how to design it properly, you can always consult professional granny flat builders from Sydney who can make sure your granny flat suits your needs and wishes. Let there be light Lighting is an important part of interior design, so don’t just settle for one ceiling light and call it a day. If you want to create a granny flat that will feel airy, large, and lively, let it as much natural light during the day as you can. As for the nighttime, you should have more lighting sources than one, and you should learn how to layer them. Decorative lights, like string lights, are also great for creating a cozier atmosphere, and you can use them to spice up your hanging baskets as well. Also, consider using LED lights, as they are stronger, more eco-friendly, and they last longer. Make use of mirrors Mirrors are great for creating an illusion of size, so if you want your granny flat to look more spacious, decorate with mirrors . One trick you could use, for example, is to hang two mirrors opposite of each other. This way, you’d create seemingly infinite reflections that would make your flat feel bigger. Another good idea is to place mirrors across the windows, so they can reflect both the outdoors and the natural light, both of which would brighten up your granny flat. Additionally, mirrors can also be very stylish since they come in many shapes and sizes. So, whether you choose a round antique mirror, or an irregular modern mirror, you’d still achieve the desired effect as long as you position it correctly. Designing a granny flat does not have to be something exhausting that you can’t wait to be done with. True, there are many things to think about, like making sure there’s enough storage, designing the patio, and installing enough lighting sources. However, if you approach it with an open mind, lots of patience, and a bit of imagination, you can create a place that anybody would be thrilled to live in.

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