Renovating? First assess overall condition of your home

There are many reasons why people decide to renovate, some of which are to upgrade outdated or deteriorated systems such as old windows; maintain or repair various elements such as reshingling a roof; addressing lifestyle needs such as replacing stairs with ramps to accommodate wheelchair access. As with any project, planning is key to success. This involves assessing the condition of your home to determine if there are any significant underlying projects that may have to be addressed before or during your home renovation. To avoid any expensive surprises, consider doing a systematic and thorough inspection of your home.

Foundations:

Are there cracks or damage to concrete walls or floors?

Are there any damp spots, stains or blistered paint on the concrete, finished walls or floors?

Is there high humidity, any condensation or signs of mold growth?

Does anyone experience headaches, nausea or smell something bad when in the basement?

Basement ceiling or main floor structure:

Are there signs of rot, sagging floor joists or twisted beams?

Are there water stains on the main floor structure of basement finished ceiling?

Are there any headroom problems? Mechanical and electrical systems:

Are there leaks from pipes, taps, toilets or the water heater?

Do any lights dim or outlets spark?

Are there any exposed electrical wires or crumbled wire insulation?

Do fuses keep blowing or circuit breakers keep shutting off?

Is the electrical service and wiring capable of supplying current and future needs?

Is there ever a noticeable smoky or fuel smell?

Is the house too dry or too humid? Is the heat uneven? Are mechanical systems capable of supplying current and future needs?

Are heating or cooling bills unusually high?

General living areas, floors and stairs:

Are floors or stairs springy, sagging, warped or squeaky? Are floor surfaces damaged or carpets musty? Are handrails or guardrails loose?

Kitchens and bathrooms:

Is there any water seepage around fixtures or condensation on windows or toilets?

Are floors damaged near bathtubs or showers?

Walls and ceilings

Do walls and ceilings have any cracks, holes, bulges, water stains or peeling finishes?

Do any doors or windows bind or stick?

Are any windows drafty, broken, operating poorly or is there moisture between panes?

Are there water stains or rot on windows or walls?

Attics

Are there water stains or excessive dampness? Is there black mold on any of the roof framing or sheathing?

Is the attic adequately ventilated?

Are there air leaks in the ceiling of the rooms below the attic? Is the attic hatch sealed?

Roofs

Does the roof have any curled or cracked shingles, bare patches, leaks, moss, or damaged flashing?

Do eavestroughs and downspouts direct water away from the foundation?

Exterior walls

Is there any blistered paint, rotted wood, buckled siding, stained or crumbled brick or damaged stucco on exterior walls?

Renovation projects can be expensive. Consider using the equity in your home to help fund your project. There are various options available. 7524888