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Complete Renovation of House from 1880
Hello!
Here follows a slightly longer post but I am new here on byggahus.se. I need some advice and help regarding a farm property that is in need of a complete renovation, but that my partner and I would love to fix up and move to.
The house has a timber frame and was built in 1888. The house is in real need of renovation as the heating system, electricity, sewage, and windows, etc. are either non-existent or in very poor condition.
We invited a construction company that specializes in building preservation but can still offer total contracting for a free visit. They suggested preserving as much as possible, such as the mouth-blown window glass, window frames (as much as possible and to supplement), using clay plaster, etc., but they also mentioned that this will come at a cost. We are also planning to invite a "regular" construction company to hear their opinion.
What we are somewhat torn about is, of course, the financial aspect. We got a great feeling from the building preservation company, and we felt that we wouldn't have to worry about destroying the old charm in the house (which we consider incredibly important and part of the reason we want to move there). However, if a regular construction company is hired, the costs could be kept down, but the risk is that all the charm could also disappear... with new triple-pane windows with custom measurements and plasterboard walls being installed.
How would you think? Sewage, electricity, and heating systems are the general parts that we believe any construction company can handle. It's the windows, moldings, floors, ceilings, and wall coverings that we consider important to preserve as they are.
Here follows a slightly longer post but I am new here on byggahus.se. I need some advice and help regarding a farm property that is in need of a complete renovation, but that my partner and I would love to fix up and move to.
The house has a timber frame and was built in 1888. The house is in real need of renovation as the heating system, electricity, sewage, and windows, etc. are either non-existent or in very poor condition.
We invited a construction company that specializes in building preservation but can still offer total contracting for a free visit. They suggested preserving as much as possible, such as the mouth-blown window glass, window frames (as much as possible and to supplement), using clay plaster, etc., but they also mentioned that this will come at a cost. We are also planning to invite a "regular" construction company to hear their opinion.
What we are somewhat torn about is, of course, the financial aspect. We got a great feeling from the building preservation company, and we felt that we wouldn't have to worry about destroying the old charm in the house (which we consider incredibly important and part of the reason we want to move there). However, if a regular construction company is hired, the costs could be kept down, but the risk is that all the charm could also disappear... with new triple-pane windows with custom measurements and plasterboard walls being installed.
How would you think? Sewage, electricity, and heating systems are the general parts that we believe any construction company can handle. It's the windows, moldings, floors, ceilings, and wall coverings that we consider important to preserve as they are.
I wish I were lucky enough to get my hands on such an old house. Our house is "only" 100 years old. I can't answer what you should choose, but I know what I would have chosen.
- A company that loves old houses. I wouldn't choose a regular construction company.
- Take down the roof, lay new underneath and put the old back.
- Replace all electrical, preferably with an old electrician who likes old houses.
- Have inner windows made for the windows. Repair the outer ones little by little. A carpentry company for the most damaged ones.
- Replace water and sewage. All pipes in metal. Visible pipes.
- If there’s a crawl space, I would consider lifting up the floor, insulating, and laying the floors back.
- If there isn't a bathroom in the house, I would choose to build a new one in the room with the least original details.
This is what I would do first, then I would live in the house. If it is somewhat livable then. Maybe the flowery wallpaper in the living room is quite okay after you’ve lived there for a while? Or what about the turquoise paneling in the hallway? I have never liked turquoise, but that one room here is soon going to be turquoise and brown since the tiles there are turquoise. We have lived in our house for 16 years and there are still rooms where we have to rip out panels and ceilings before we decide what to keep of the original. All rooms that are finished have everything original intact. Most are visible, some hidden inside the walls as we needed to insulate the wall between rooms like the bedroom and bathroom.
Can we get pictures? I love old houses. Good luck?
- A company that loves old houses. I wouldn't choose a regular construction company.
- Take down the roof, lay new underneath and put the old back.
- Replace all electrical, preferably with an old electrician who likes old houses.
- Have inner windows made for the windows. Repair the outer ones little by little. A carpentry company for the most damaged ones.
- Replace water and sewage. All pipes in metal. Visible pipes.
- If there’s a crawl space, I would consider lifting up the floor, insulating, and laying the floors back.
- If there isn't a bathroom in the house, I would choose to build a new one in the room with the least original details.
This is what I would do first, then I would live in the house. If it is somewhat livable then. Maybe the flowery wallpaper in the living room is quite okay after you’ve lived there for a while? Or what about the turquoise paneling in the hallway? I have never liked turquoise, but that one room here is soon going to be turquoise and brown since the tiles there are turquoise. We have lived in our house for 16 years and there are still rooms where we have to rip out panels and ceilings before we decide what to keep of the original. All rooms that are finished have everything original intact. Most are visible, some hidden inside the walls as we needed to insulate the wall between rooms like the bedroom and bathroom.
Can we get pictures? I love old houses. Good luck?
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