With so many home improvements shows on TV that are designed around giving a new breath of life to the quintessential fixer-upper, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of fixing up a home of your very own. The reality for many people is that purchasing a fixer-upper can either save them a considerable amount of money or place them in near financial ruin. So how do you decide if that fixer-upper house you have your heart set on is really the one for you?

How to Decide if a Fixer Upper Home is Right for You

1. Experience Level: TV home improvement shows make the process of remodeling a home look easy but the truth is attempting to remodel a home when you are inexperienced and not sure what you are doing is not only stressful it can also lead to results that won’t improve the value of the home and end up costing you a ton of money to have professionally repaired.
2. Skill Level: Some projects like stripping wallpaper and painting are relatively easy DIY projects but others like plumbing and electric work can be dangerous if you are unsure of what you are doing.
3. Time Constraints: Be realistic; it’s highly unlikely that you can take enough time off work to finish renovating your fixer-upper home. Keep in mind that you will probably have to live in the middle of a work zone for a long period of time while working on projects in the evenings and the weekends until they are completed.
4. Cost: Think carefully about the cost of repairs and remodeling before making your final offer on the home. If you are doing the work yourself, make careful note of the supplies that will be needed. If you are getting a contractor to do the work for you, schedule a walk-through that also consists of a written estimate. The experts at Lifeline Home Inspections recommend adding an additional 10% to 20% to your final calculations to take care of any unexpected addition costs.
5. Permit Costs: Check with local officials to confirm if you require a permit to work on certain projects in the home. If you complete work without a permit it can result in problems should you wish to resell the home at a later date. Also consider the time it takes to be approved for your permit should your require one.
6. Making a Purchase Offer: Always include a home inspection contingency in your offer to purchase the home. Never rely on your contractor to help you make a decision based solely on appearance. The experts at Lifeline Home Inspections are the key to uncovering hidden elements of the home that either needs to be repaired or replaced. We have infrared cameras and other specialized tools to detect hidden moisture, mold, radon, baseline septic problems, plumbing and electrical along with roofing and structural damage to name a few. Many home inspection contingencies allow you to go back to the sellers and either ask for the repairs to be paid in full or for an allowance at the time of closing to cover the cost of the repairs. If your Lifeline Home Inspector finds something major that is too much for you to deal with, you can back out of the deal and continue your search.

Home Inspections & More in Fulton, Spalding, Coweta, Douglas, Pike, Upson & Fayette County, GA

For more information regarding the home inspection process, contact the experienced and knowledgeable professionals at Lifeline Home Inspections today.