Flipping a House: Which Part Should I Renovate First? Part I

If you’ve recently purchased (or are thinking of purchasing) an old home to flip to sell or renovate for you and your family, you may be wondering which renovation project to tackle first. 

It can be tempting to want to make the inside of the home look great first — this makes sense because the sooner you have a living space, the sooner you can move in. However, the first renovations you need to consider are not in the interior, but on the exterior of the home.

The goal of a home is, obviously, shelter. So, your first job in a renovation is to make sure the home is dry and not about to fall apart or collapse on you. Here are some things to look for on the exterior of a home.

Check the Integrity of the Roof

• If it’s safe and you’re able to do so, climb up onto the roof and check for missing, loose, or broken shingles. Keep an eye out for tarps or other materials that may be covering up damage. Better yet, invite a certified roof inspector out to safely and thoroughly inspect the roof for you.
• Check for signs of roof damage inside the home. One common sign of a leaking roof is water stains on the ceilings inside the home. These can either be subtle or extremely noticeable. Also, if you’re able to access the attic, you can check the roof decking here and damage to the attic floor that might not be visible on the ceiling yet. Inspect the attic for holes, water stains, mold, etc. to see if there are any issues with elements entering the home from this outlet.
• If available, check to see when the roof was last replaced (if ever). Depending on the type of roofing material, they can last between 10 and 50 years. If you’re looking at a home that hasn’t been owned or maintained for 50+ years, you certainly need a new roof. If that’s not the case, though, you may still need one based on the material and the condition of the roof

Replace the Attic Insulation

• If the home is old, the insulation probably is too. Old types of insulation, like fiberglass, are not as effective as newer materials like cellulose. Insulation can also mold over time if exposed to moisture, so you'll want to make sure there is no mold present in the home before moving in.

Evaluate the Condition of the Gutters and Downspouts

• Again, at its core, the goal of a home is to keep you protected from the elements — including water. Having good, working gutters and downspouts is essential to keeping your home dry and landscaping beautiful. Inspect the gutters for clogs, dents, or broken pieces. These are signs that the gutters probably need to be replaced.
• Make sure the downspouts are directed away from the home instead of pouring water right next to the home. This can cause grading and landscaping to wash away, as well as soak through the ground and enter the basement or crawl space. 

Inspect the Stability of the Home’s Foundation

• Speaking of a basement or crawl space, these are the next most important parts of the home. Next, you need to specifically check out the foundation. Are the walls cracked or bowing inward? Are they old cellar walls that are crumbling? Are your floors sagging? These can be signs of structural concerns in your home.

While Klaus Roofing can’t help with foundation repair, we know someone who can! Head over to Mid-State Basement Systems’ website to read more about foundation repair and the next steps in this blog.

If you have roofing, gutter, or attic insulation concerns, schedule a free estimate with us today!