Hi!
I have received so much help here on the forum over the years, for which I am grateful. Now I've just bought a bit of a renovation project
So it was time to become a member!
The house has had the same owner since it was built in 1976, for better or worse. The roof is new, the windows and a bathroom were done 15 years ago, but otherwise much of it is original.
I'm thinking of hiring a surveyor or similar to do a more thorough analysis of the house with an action plan. Mainly thinking about this so it can be coordinated with the renovation if needed.
The plan is to renovate in different stages, and I'm a bit torn on how it can be done most smoothly. Partly for the finances but also to minimize disruption as much as possible.
I'm thinking like this, before moving in I plan to install a hydronic heating system.
- Tear down some non-load-bearing walls. Should there be beams? in the house so only the exterior walls remain. Does that sound reasonable?
- Radiators and pipes to be installed throughout the house.
- Remodel the laundry room in the basement where the new heat pump will be located. Is a laundry room in the basement reasonable? Extra ventilation?
- Paint and lay new flooring.
I would like to have hydronic underfloor heating in the bathrooms, 2 of them. But I won't be able to afford doing them in the first stage. So I'm wondering if you can prepare? or if you can just connect them later? The same goes for the basement level. Is it possible to install radiators at a later stage?
Grateful for feedback!
I have received so much help here on the forum over the years, for which I am grateful. Now I've just bought a bit of a renovation project
So it was time to become a member!The house has had the same owner since it was built in 1976, for better or worse. The roof is new, the windows and a bathroom were done 15 years ago, but otherwise much of it is original.
I'm thinking of hiring a surveyor or similar to do a more thorough analysis of the house with an action plan. Mainly thinking about this so it can be coordinated with the renovation if needed.
The plan is to renovate in different stages, and I'm a bit torn on how it can be done most smoothly. Partly for the finances but also to minimize disruption as much as possible.
I'm thinking like this, before moving in I plan to install a hydronic heating system.
- Tear down some non-load-bearing walls. Should there be beams? in the house so only the exterior walls remain. Does that sound reasonable?
- Radiators and pipes to be installed throughout the house.
- Remodel the laundry room in the basement where the new heat pump will be located. Is a laundry room in the basement reasonable? Extra ventilation?
- Paint and lay new flooring.
I would like to have hydronic underfloor heating in the bathrooms, 2 of them. But I won't be able to afford doing them in the first stage. So I'm wondering if you can prepare? or if you can just connect them later? The same goes for the basement level. Is it possible to install radiators at a later stage?
Grateful for feedback!
What does the family situation look like? How much do you plan to do yourself? If you have children, it is most appropriate to do as much demolition and things that create dust and debris as possible before moving in. Otherwise, I would generally recommend doing as little as possible in the first year or two. It's better to settle in to get a sense of what actually needs fixing versus what you think needs fixing. Then you also get a better sense of how you use rooms and the like.
How is the basement used today? Is it heated and furnished?
How is the basement used today? Is it heated and furnished?
Thank you for your reply!
We are 2 adults and 2 children, ages 5 and 8.
The problem is that the current standard is extremely low and needs to be improved. It wouldn't be very pleasant to settle in as it is. I agree and think that installing a waterborne system is quite messy and dusty. The same probably applies to the bathroom. But I would like to prepare but not install radiators in the kitchen and basement. Is that reasonable?
The basement has been used as a rental unit. There's an old kitchen and a recreational room, etc. But currently, it's empty. I don't know if this answers the question?
We are 2 adults and 2 children, ages 5 and 8.
The problem is that the current standard is extremely low and needs to be improved. It wouldn't be very pleasant to settle in as it is. I agree and think that installing a waterborne system is quite messy and dusty. The same probably applies to the bathroom. But I would like to prepare but not install radiators in the kitchen and basement. Is that reasonable?
The basement has been used as a rental unit. There's an old kitchen and a recreational room, etc. But currently, it's empty. I don't know if this answers the question?
Yes, we were thinking of keeping the floors, partly because it would be expensive to tear them out but mainly because they are nice
I guess they have to be torn out in the kitchen to lay tiles? Or maybe it's not necessary? But regardless, it's nice to have underfloor heating with tiles.
Since it's a 70s house, I've read that it might be good to redo the basement floors? Because of insulation. Is there a simple way to measure if it's necessary? In that case, we would install underfloor heating if we need to redo the concrete foundation.
I guess they have to be torn out in the kitchen to lay tiles? Or maybe it's not necessary? But regardless, it's nice to have underfloor heating with tiles.
Since it's a 70s house, I've read that it might be good to redo the basement floors? Because of insulation. Is there a simple way to measure if it's necessary? In that case, we would install underfloor heating if we need to redo the concrete foundation.