My wife and I have bought a house from the 1850s and plan to renovate the entire house from top to bottom. We are quite handy people and have worked a lot with building set designs and other things.
Of course, we will use craftsmen for everything that is needed but would like to do as much as we can ourselves. However, we don't know much about how to get started/what we should begin with ourselves and a bit about how we should think.
We are planning to strip the house more or less down to the studs and then replace electrical/plumbing. We also need to replace the insulation in the walls since it hasn't been done since 1850 and is probably sawdust (from what I can see from the attic) and remove an old heating system (wood-burning stove connected to water radiators), build a new staircase, and some other similar things.
The question is just how to get started and what to begin with?
/julle
Of course, we will use craftsmen for everything that is needed but would like to do as much as we can ourselves. However, we don't know much about how to get started/what we should begin with ourselves and a bit about how we should think.
We are planning to strip the house more or less down to the studs and then replace electrical/plumbing. We also need to replace the insulation in the walls since it hasn't been done since 1850 and is probably sawdust (from what I can see from the attic) and remove an old heating system (wood-burning stove connected to water radiators), build a new staircase, and some other similar things.
The question is just how to get started and what to begin with?
/julle
The roof is probably one of the most important things. Once you have a waterproof roof, you can focus on the rest. When working on the roof, it's probably best to check if the chimneys need any servicing.
If it's from 1850, is it a timber house?
If it's from 1850, is it a timber house?
In houses from 1850, it is likely there are neither "stolpar" nor insulation in the walls.
I should have written that, but the house was inhabited (by an older woman) and has been the entire time, so we didn't buy a shack 
, there is a new air heat pump and the facade is good, the house was last fixed up inside sometime in the early 40s (for example, there is an old cast iron stove in the kitchen) but only electricity (drawn outside the walls) ((ungrounded)) in half of the house.
, there is a new air heat pump and the facade is good, the house was last fixed up inside sometime in the early 40s (for example, there is an old cast iron stove in the kitchen) but only electricity (drawn outside the walls) ((ungrounded)) in half of the house.
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Use craftsmen who know how to renovate older houses, tight/modern materials in houses that rely on a little air leakage here and there can end badly.
You had a question, where to start and begin. It's impossible to answer with the information "house from 1850, one person lived there." You probably need to describe a bit more if you want some answers that actually address your question.J Julius lindberg said:I should have written that, but the house was inhabited (by an older woman) and has been the whole time, so we didn't buy a wreck
Things that could provide more information;
- Pictures
- Videos
- Inspection reports
- Descriptive text about the current situation, goals, etc.
I interpret your posts as you being new to this. Therefore, my advice is to not do anything at this stage. The risk is that you'll do more harm than good before you get a clear picture of what needs to be done and how.
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If it has a heat pump and functioning waterborne heating and has been inhabited, it sounds like a good idea to live there for a while.
For me, having the electricity on the outside of the walls is not a negative thing; it has advantages when it comes to maintenance and is somewhat part of the old style. It depends on whether you're looking for that old feel or not; I assume you are since you bought a house from 1850.
It might be worth checking the condition of the roof, how the windows are doing (if any windows suffer from rot, for example), and perhaps make sure to seal the windows if they're leaking. I guess it has old-fashioned double-glazed windows in such a house. They are worth preserving, and if they are sealed, they insulate well.
If you're going to add insulation to a log house, I've read that it should be done from the outside and in a specific manner with the right materials.
For me, having the electricity on the outside of the walls is not a negative thing; it has advantages when it comes to maintenance and is somewhat part of the old style. It depends on whether you're looking for that old feel or not; I assume you are since you bought a house from 1850.
It might be worth checking the condition of the roof, how the windows are doing (if any windows suffer from rot, for example), and perhaps make sure to seal the windows if they're leaking. I guess it has old-fashioned double-glazed windows in such a house. They are worth preserving, and if they are sealed, they insulate well.
If you're going to add insulation to a log house, I've read that it should be done from the outside and in a specific manner with the right materials.
We probably need to know a few things before we can give advice.
- What kind of roof structure and covering is it? Is the roof in good condition, or does it need to be replaced? That is priority 1.
- Due to the age, I assume it is a crawl space or torpargrund, and I would start by checking the moisture in it and the condition of the floor structure. Is it dry, or do you need to address moisture issues? If you have high moisture levels in the foundation, it's also time to check the floor structure and floor insulation.
- What kind of drainage system is it? It might be necessary to replace pipes, especially if you have to replace the floor structure and floors. If it's an individual sewage system, you also have the issue of whether you need to replace the septic tank and infiltration.
Three important things I would probably start with.
- What kind of roof structure and covering is it? Is the roof in good condition, or does it need to be replaced? That is priority 1.
- Due to the age, I assume it is a crawl space or torpargrund, and I would start by checking the moisture in it and the condition of the floor structure. Is it dry, or do you need to address moisture issues? If you have high moisture levels in the foundation, it's also time to check the floor structure and floor insulation.
- What kind of drainage system is it? It might be necessary to replace pipes, especially if you have to replace the floor structure and floors. If it's an individual sewage system, you also have the issue of whether you need to replace the septic tank and infiltration.
Three important things I would probably start with.
The roof looks good on the inside, dry and the attic is fresh; the construction is wooden beams with roof tiles that look okay.Henningelvis said:
We have dug down a new septic tank and infiltration this week and excavated around the foundation and fixed it with gravel.
And there were no moisture problems according to Anticimex.
Roof, foundation drainage, and water. Then heating and hot water. Once those work, you have what you need to live.
Then comes the toilet and laundry. A new bathroom or shower cabin.
Check the electrical panel, that is, install a new one if it doesn't have a circuit breaker.
After that, my advice is to do one room at a time. If you do everything at once, you'll go crazy and get tired...
Then comes the toilet and laundry. A new bathroom or shower cabin.
Check the electrical panel, that is, install a new one if it doesn't have a circuit breaker.
After that, my advice is to do one room at a time. If you do everything at once, you'll go crazy and get tired...
J Julius lindberg said:
Where to start with a total renovation of an old house, I don't know.J Julius lindberg said:
Having been in my renovation for 1.5 years now.
What I can ascertain is that I would have saved 3 million by tearing down and building new instead of renovating an old house.
Try to make a budget.
Double the amount.
Double again.
That's where you'll end up.
But it's a learning experience.
Good luck!
That sounds like a fantastic fun project! Congratulations! With passion for a project, one can go far! Most things can be learned.
As some have mentioned, a tight roof would be first priority, I would say.
If nothing else is urgent according to the inspection report, I would settle in, get to know what works and feels good and less good in the house. AND I would start studying up! Both technically, to avoid creating a moisture problem as someone mentioned, and also in terms of design.
What did houses look like in 1850? Details, built-in furniture, and cabinetry, etc. You probably bought an older house because you like it. It's easy to eliminate a style, a feeling, and a charm by, for example, removing old windows for large window sections, removing elements, or laying down the cheap parquet. A house that is renovated with care, in the spirit of the time it was built, will never become outdated. But an old house that is renovated with modern materials and expressions will become outdated faster than you think.
A tip might be the book "Så byggdes villan." But I'm unsure now if it goes all the way back to 1850.
Good luck!!
As some have mentioned, a tight roof would be first priority, I would say.
If nothing else is urgent according to the inspection report, I would settle in, get to know what works and feels good and less good in the house. AND I would start studying up! Both technically, to avoid creating a moisture problem as someone mentioned, and also in terms of design.
What did houses look like in 1850? Details, built-in furniture, and cabinetry, etc. You probably bought an older house because you like it. It's easy to eliminate a style, a feeling, and a charm by, for example, removing old windows for large window sections, removing elements, or laying down the cheap parquet. A house that is renovated with care, in the spirit of the time it was built, will never become outdated. But an old house that is renovated with modern materials and expressions will become outdated faster than you think.
A tip might be the book "Så byggdes villan." But I'm unsure now if it goes all the way back to 1850.
Good luck!!
Yes, thank you! We want it to retain the feeling and look old and niceA Aspen 31 said:
great tips!