It’s not uncommon for many first-time homeowners to skip buying a perfect home and rather opt for a fixer-upper. In some cases, this has to do with affordability, but for the most part, it’s about the challenge of giving an old, dated home a new lease on life.
There are many DIY jobs that new homeowners can do by themselves in their fixer-upper homes. However, it’s always a good idea to let professionals do the roof restoration Melbourne locals rely on to keep their roofs in tip-top shape.
Start With the Simple Fixer-Upper Repairs
Depending on the state of your fixer-upper, some repairs may be more urgent than others. If you’re going to live in this home, you will have to prioritise your repairs. Our team of renovators have compiled a list of the basic repairs that you can do to get started.
- Restore the Roof
One of the top ways to instantly change the appearance of your home is to restore the roof. Additionally, this is also necessary to ensure that you minimise potential water damage to the walls and foundations. There’s no point in fixing the interior if the roof is still leaking!
An expert team of roofers will start by assessing the current state of the roof to see what’s needed. Here’s a list of some of the steps that this may include:
- Damaged and loose tiles will be replaced.
- Clean and if necessary, replace old, damaged gutters. If you’re going to replace your gutters, this may be the perfect opportunity to opt for a larger system. This will be more accommodating to homes in high-rainfall areas. A bigger gutter system will be less likely to get clogged.
- Adding gutter guards goes one step further toward keeping debris out of the gutters.
- Roof sealing will be done to ensure all gaps and cracks are closed to eliminate pests, water, and cold air from getting in.
- Replacing timber fascia and eaves that may be damaged due to age or neglect over the years.
- Paint the roof and gutter system.
- Consider adding a rain harvesting system.
The goal here should always be to make future maintenance simpler. Speak to your roofer for the best gutter system for the rainfall in your area.
- Fix the Home Exterior
Once your roof, gutters, and downpipes have been repaired or replaced, it’s time to fix the exterior. Here are a few steps to help you get started.
- Clean any foliage and wood piles that may be leaning against the building
- Check for water or termite damage to the foundation
- Do any repairs, replacements, and plastering to the exterior walls
- Replace broken windows and doors—consider energy efficient options
- Consider adding roller shutters as these will make your home more energy efficient and will also prevent windows during storms
- Choose a quality, neutral colour for the painting that will still look elegant years down the line
- Adding awnings above doors, porches, and verandah areas is an excellent way to add shade
Repairing the roof and adding a splash of paint to the exterior will already give your fixer-upper a much-needed facelift!
- Fix the Curb Appeal
Curb appeal refers to the way your home looks from the street. Many curb appeal upgrades involve getting a handle on the yard work. This can include some of the following tasks:
- Clean the property—remove wood piles, excess foliage and any building rubble.
- Give the garden a complete overhaul by removing weeds and adding native plants which are easier to maintain.
- Consider trimming trees around the property, especially those that hang over or near the roof. Doing this will make it less likely for leaves and twigs to clog your gutters.
- Upgrade your pathways.
- Add solar lights all around the garden and walkways.
- Repair, replace, or paint the fence, gates, and mailbox.
- Create a Statement Porch
You’ll more than likely want your home to be inviting. Start by creating a statement porch. In addition to painting the front door, consider the smaller additions that will make your space look more welcoming.
Some of these include the following:
- Add new awnings to provide shade on the porch.
- Place a few clay flowerpots around the space—the size will depend on how big your porch is.
- If the space allows, add a bench or stylish statement chairs where you can sit and enjoy the outdoors.
- Hang flower baskets for added texture.
- Add a quirky door knocker.
- Upgrade the lighting—consider motion sensor lights or solar options to be more energy efficient.
Final Thoughts
Home renovation can be fun and frustrating at the same time. It’s also a lot of hard work. However, if done correctly, can be very rewarding. Starting with the exterior of your home will instantly give your new home a welcoming facelift. Seeing how amazing the exterior can look will give you the inspiration you need to get stuck in with the interior!
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