One of the Lucky Ones
Have you ever looked at the pictures of all the incredible old buildings that are being torn down for modernization? Churches, banks, stores, castles, homes that took YEARS to build and numerous gifted craftsman to embellish, are torn down within a matter of minutes. I follow a site that shares photos of beautiful old buildings all over the world that are being restored and ones being demolished to build modern homes and facilities. It seems like such a senseless shame to lose such craft and history. Though, as we work to restore our old house, I can understand both sides. We just couldn't bear to tear it down!
Why demolish such beautiful buildings? Why not restore them? Well, the first decision for anyone considering buying an old home is...
... do-it-yourself or hire it done?
If you plan to hire it done, you had better be rich -- that is if you can even find someone to take the job! You see, it's much easier for crews to build from scratch than to demo, fix, and rebuild. AND if you do find someone who will take the job, be sure they are VERY reputable. Too often the willing crew may take shortcuts (like caulking over rotten boards before painting, or instead of repairing termite damage--just covering it up, or using untreated timbers on exterior walls, or not flashing the roof properly, or painting the attic vents closing the circulation there, and the list can go on and on). Things the average customer will never see, but that will affect a house for years to come.
If you plan to do-it-yourself, you'd better be strong, talented, resourceful, and patient, with lots of time to do the work. It's a slow process. But there are tons of support groups you can turn to for answers on the internet and lots of how-to videos to assist you with anything from painting to laying brick to roofing. You can find necessary ideas and tools with a resourceful search! And my husband is awesome at it! I've always said, "There's nothing he can't do...if he wants to!"
Heads up, Future DIY-ers
From my experience, here are some things to be prepared for.
You can be sure you will need beam or joist repair. Something will be sagging after 50-100+ years of settling. And according to the TV remodel shows, they charge a minimum of $100 per foot for the beam. If it's old, you can bet it's got asbestos somewhere! Asbestos removal costs $3000 and up depending on the amount and where. Mold? Well, I hope you don't have any mold, but if you do, make sure you wear a full face mask when handling it.
If the house is over 60 years old, you can be sure it will need new wiring! That's a minimum of $3000--depending on the size of the house, but probably $5000-$10,000. You will definitely need heat/air work. Maybe duct-work too, or just relocating duct-work. You can be sure that will set you back a pretty penny and you won't be able to do it yourself--unless you are a licensed heating and air technician. Oh, and the plumbing. One of the first places to need remodeling will probably be the kitchen or bath. So definitely will need to tackle the plumbing! You'll have some decisions to make. Leave the old lines or put in new? If the drains are old cast iron, are they pitted? Do they need to be cut away and redone? (Most likely.)
And there's the roof. We know that all old roofs leak somewhere--that's a job you may or may not be able to do yourself, depending on what is on your roof-- tile shingles, metal sheets, asphalt shingles, concrete shingles, etc... And the windows. Are they painted shut? Do they need re-glazing? Do they need repair? Or do you plan to replace them? You haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet -- the walls, ceilings, and floors!
Did I mention the permits you will need... for everything? City permits, county permits, permits to build, permits to tear down, permits to cut a tree. Don't forget taxes. Some of the most beautiful old homes built in the gilded era are fabulous homes on the best property, and the taxes on it--in the sad state of disrepair--are out of this world. I hate to see history destroyed, but I understand the cost of saving it can be more than any return.
With all that said, Little Mount Vernon is truly one of the lucky ones.
Little Mount Vernon was found by my husband. It was wanted by my husband. And it is being restored by my husband, Dwight. This post is a tribute to him on his birthday, to his talent, to his hard work, and to his determination to restore this old home. Happy Birthday, Dwight! May all your dreams come true and may Little Mount Vernon rise again!