Older homes certainly have their charm.

They tend to be bigger and sturdier than most new builds, and contain character features that really make them feel interesting and unique. There are plenty of reasons to fall in love with an older home, however they’re not without their problems. Old properties can throw up all kinds of issues, and often require lots of renovations to make them suitable for modern living. If you’re happy to take on the challenge and are after a renovation project, then here are a few things to bear in mind!

#1: Get a survey done

It’s important to get a survey done on any home you want to buy, regardless of its age. However, when you know a home has been standing for a long time, it pays to know exactly what kind of condition its in. You’ll want to know if there’s any subsidence, structural damage, asbestos and other issues. This might not put you off from buying it, but it lets you know what you’re in for and can help you to negotiate a price with the seller that reflects the amount of work that needs doing. Have a full survey done, checking as many areas as possible. If you buy at auction (as many renovation properties are sold here) always read the legal pack and make sure you’re happy with any terms that come with the home.

#2: Rewiring and plumbing

Chances are you will need to completely refit the electrics, and do extensive work to the plumbing. There might not be a bathroom upstairs for example, as was common in older homes. You might want to move the location of the kitchen and add additional things to it such as more sockets, a plumbed in fridge and more. Get some quotes from professional tradespeople once you have a plan in place and know what you’re doing with the house. This can be a significant cost and one of the biggest in your whole project, so be prepared for this.

#3: The walls

Chances are, the walls in the home will be covered with years of old wallpaper and paint and won’t be the lovely smooth walls that we desire in modern homes. Once you’ve decided on your layout and removed/ changed any walls that you don’t want, have a plasterer come in and skim everything for the best finish. The same applies to the ceiling, if artex has been used then be aware this can contain asbestos so will need to be removed by a professional.

#4: The kitchen and bathroom

Speaking of the kitchen and bathroom, in an older home these will almost certainly need to be ripped out and refitted from scratch. In lots of old properties, the kitchen was very small- as the entertaining style at the time meant people preferred larger living and dining rooms with the kitchen being seen as more of a ‘backstage’ area. These days, we all prefer large and open spaces with big kitchens. You might need to speak to an architect to discuss removing internal walls, otherwise you could extend outwards and take the kitchen out that way. If you go with a double story extension, you can increase the size of your kitchen and add a bathroom upstairs (if there isn’t one already) without losing a bedroom.

#5: The exterior

Old properties can sometimes look a little ugly by modern standard. If it looks like a bit of an ugly grey concrete structure, or has had things like dated pebble dashing added to the outside then it can be worth having the exterior completely changed. Companies like Blue Ridge Exteriors can add siding which not only completely transforms a home and modernizes it but can also add another layer of insulation too. Changing the windows, the door and renovating the garden are also ways you can improve the outside of an old house. Smaller touches like hanging baskets, a welcome mat and an outdoor light will all improve the finish.

#6: The garden

Going back to the garden, this is another renovation you’re likely to make and it could be a big one if the property has been neglected for a while. Old houses tend to have much bigger gardens than new builds, but while this is exciting it will mean more work. Be sure to include the garden changes into your overall budget- front and back. If you’re working to a tighter budget, you could always hire a skip and clear things yourself for the time being. That way it looks neater, and once the rest of the house has been sorted it’s something you can revisit.