When buying a home in or around Raleigh, North Carolina, some people look for the newest options on the market, while others are drawn to older homes with a more historic feel. Older homes are appealing for their unique architectural elements and their connection with history. However, these charming old houses can be expensive if you aren’t careful. Before making up your mind to buy an older home, we at PowerLift Foundation Repair want to make sure that you can handle these potential tasks:

Raleigh, North Carolina fixer-upper home

Major exterior work

You may be lucky enough to fall in love with a historic home that has been recently renovated, but you’ll most likely find one in “as-is” condition. This will likely cut a chunk off of the asking price, but also usually means that the home will be in need of some serious updating before it’s habitable. It isn’t uncommon for older homes to need new siding, new window shutters, a new roof, and even major landscaping work. All of these jobs will cost a significant amount of money, so make sure to have a contractor inspect the home and give you an estimate. This will allow you to gauge whether the lower price that you will pay for such a house is worth the work it’ll take to fix it afterwards.

Major inside repair work

One of the tradeoffs of owning an older home is that you’ll probably have to do some major work to get the utilities running properly. Some homeowners end up having to pay a couple thousand dollars to have their homes re-wired for electricity because they existing setup was dangerous; others will have to install HVAC systems to make the homes more comfortable in North Carolina’s sweltering summers. There’s also the plumbing and possible replacement of certain outdated features like the oven, stove, and shower. Consider how many of the updates would need to be done immediately and how many could be completed slowly over time to better manage costs.

Checking for dangerous chemicals

Today’s builders wouldn’t dream of insulating a house with asbestos or painting rooms with lead paint, but the home builders of the past wouldn’t have given it a second thought. If you’re thinking of buying an older home, you should have it inspected for any potentially dangerous building materials (especially if you have children or elderly tenants). Remember, it’s possible to get these things removed if you end up loving the home, but it could cost extra money.

Significant foundation work

A home’s foundation is important for its overall stability and habitability, and it isn’t uncommon for some older homes to need major foundation repairs. Foundation repair in Raleigh, North Carolina is very important, and should only be done by professionals (this should not be a DIY project). Have a home surveyor check your potential new home for foundation problems before you agree to purchase it. If you are set on the home but it needs repair, PowerLift Foundation Repair offers a surprisingly affordable way to do so. Call or contact us today to ask about our foundation repair services!