How to Determine if an Older Home is a Lemon or Worthy of a Reno

There’s something really quaint about the idea of taking an older home and renovating it to modern standards, all while keeping its old-school charm and appeal. That’s probably why we’re obsessed with watching Jenny Marrs and Dave Marrs and their show, Fixer to Fabulous on HGTV. In each episode they show us all how old house remodels should really be done. But could you achieve such fabulous results if you were to tackle an older home renovation here in Canada? Here are some questions to ask yourself when figuring out if that home is worthy of a transformation or actually a lemon.

Watch Fixer to Fabulous on the Global TV App and on STACKTV.

Home exterior freshened up with new paint

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Will Paint Help?

Paint doesn’t solve all of your older home’s problems, but if you think you will be able to use it to help restore walls, brick, doors, siding or trim back to their original glory, then you’re off to a good start. Jenny and Dave use it often to help spruce up many of the charmers they come across, specifically on the outside to give a home more curb appeal.

Hallway with antique beams and antique front door

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Can You Upcycle, or Should You Recycle?

As we’ve seen with some of Jenny and Dave’s previous designs, a vintage door in the front entry or updated arches in a hallway can add lots of charm and design appeal in an older home. But will you be able to upcycle such attachments and structures, or will they need to be recycled/tossed and replaced instead? There’s a big cost difference between the two and in some cases a safety issue to consider as well.

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Are There Structural Issues?

Squirrels chewing through the attic is one thing (Jenny and Dave know!). But an entire structure that’s ready to keel over is quite another when you’re talking about salvaging an older home. Tally up what it might cost to fix such structural problems and weigh that against the cost of a fresh build, and you may find there aren’t many savings there at all.

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Is the Plumbing Layout Ideal?

Updating the plumbing in a home can be a costly venture, but it isn’t necessarily budget-breaking. Jenny and Dave do it all of the time. However, if the existing plumbing structure makes no sense and needs to be completely moved in order to create a better flow, that’s when you may start breaking the bank.

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What About Electrical?

Like plumbing, old electrical that’s well-positioned in an older home’s walls can be salvaged or updated for a reasonable price. However, it’s worth getting a licensed electrician in to give you the best idea of what kinds of costs you’re actually looking at because moving all of those wires around definitely adds up.

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Can You Do Anything With Those Floors?

It’s always one of our favourite things to see Jenny and Dave breathe new life into 100-year-old floors because those are the floors that bring unparalleled charm and character to an older home. However, if they’re unsalvageable, you’re definitely looking at an added cost-especially if you need to level off any wayward and uneven surfaces.

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What Kind of Work Have Previous Contractors Done?

If there’s a job doing, it’s worth doing well, right? Well, unfortunately, we’ve seen Jenny and Dave have to step in and save the day following shoddy contracting work a few times too many in the past. If you’re looking at an older home and trying to determine whether it’s worthy of a reno, don’t just consider what updates have already been made: assess the quality of said updates as well. You may be looking at more work than you originally anticipated.

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What Kind of Ceiling Are You Looking At?

As we’ve seen on the show, older homes tend to have lower ceilings. And that can be a downright nuisance if you’re looking for a bright and modern redesign. If you’re hoping to elevate those ceilings, be sure to know what you’re working with above, and if there’s even a possibility of opening up certain rooms (like the kitchen) to create a more loft-like space.

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How Much Structure Are You Looking to Change?

These days people covet open-concept (or easy-flowing) spaces, but 100 years ago when some of these homes were built, people were more about the compartmentalized spaces. If the home you’re looking at has an awkward flow you’re hoping to remedy a la Jenny and Dave, it’s worth getting an engineer in to give you a real estimate as to how much that may cost. In some cases you may find that the structure just can’t withstand any more major changes.

Watch: A Home for the Grandkids (REVEAL)

Fixer to Fabulous still for Dave and Jenny Marrs

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How Much Of This Can You Realistically Do Yourself?

It’s fine to have a pet project or to use your home as an opportunity to learn more about renovations. But there are certain things you should really just hire a pro for, including (but not limited to) plumbing, electrical and structural issues. Be sure to add up the costs for all of that potential outside labour, because you could find that your “dream” home is really more of a “nightmare” in the end.