How difficult is it to renovate a den?

[tankekraft]

Hello!

My partner and I have acquired a 1970s house with a move-in scheduled for this fall. There's a wood-framed recreation room with a vinyl floor that we'd like to renovate to remove organic materials from the basement.

The thing is, we're not exactly handy, and I'm wondering how difficult it is to tear down wood paneling and vinyl flooring, frame walls with steel studs, replace floors, etc. Is it a foolish project to undertake if we have no previous renovation experience, or do you think we can learn along the way? We're in no rush with the project and would like to save some money by doing it ourselves.

Any tips on what we should consider are welcome!

 

[preben89]

Does it smell bad? Have you measured the moisture content in the wall? Seems silly to tear down the wall just because..?!
If it ain’t broken Don't fix it

Maybe just new surface layers for the floor etc. are enough?

 

[tankekraft]

Does it smell bad? Have you measured the moisture content in the wall? It feels stupid to tear down the wall just because..?!
If it ain’t broken Don't fix it

Maybe it's enough with new surface layers on the floor etc.?

Does it smell bad? Have you measured the moisture content in the wall? It feels stupid to tear down the wall just because..?!
If it ain’t broken Don't fix it

Maybe it's enough with new surface layers on the floor etc.?

Well, it smells slightly unusual, which is also noted in the inspection report, but we haven't measured the moisture content. But measuring the moisture content is definitely something we should do before potentially starting to tear anything down!

 

[arasmus]

I have done the same thing and would say it's not difficult at all. It may not always go quickly, but if it's not urgent, I would absolutely do it myself. It's nice to get rid of the junk even if it may not always be strictly necessary

Remember to take an asbestos sample from the glue under the carpet.

 

[SueCia]

My first renovation as a homeowner was tearing out a raised floor in the gillesstuga and replacing it with a nivellgolv. It was hard work but not difficult.