A
Alexander54323 Jun 2017 23:33Hello,
I am new to this forum and have a basic question regarding the renovation of older houses.
I plan to fully renovate an older detached house.
Now, my fundamental question is how to approach this step by step, or rather, where to actually "start," if I may put it simply.
What kind of "roadmap" would you recommend?
You definitely don’t want to end up in a disaster!
Thanks in advance for your answers!
Best regards, Alexander543
I am new to this forum and have a basic question regarding the renovation of older houses.
I plan to fully renovate an older detached house.
Now, my fundamental question is how to approach this step by step, or rather, where to actually "start," if I may put it simply.
What kind of "roadmap" would you recommend?
You definitely don’t want to end up in a disaster!
Thanks in advance for your answers!
Best regards, Alexander543
Hello!
First question: Has the house already been purchased? If not, definitely walk through the house with a professional to inspect the condition!
Secondly, it’s important to clarify exactly what needs and should be done.
Should the floor plan be changed?
Typical and costly work in older buildings includes:
Water/sewage systems replaced
Complete electrical rewiring
Complete heating system replacement
Roof structure condition?
Roof covering including insulation
Bathrooms, of course
Walls/ceilings/flooring
Windows
Facade
Is the basement dry?
However, since you obviously have no experience, I recommend consulting an architect with experience in older buildings. Also consider an energy consultant.
Another member recently started a thread describing how they managed this without a plan (and succeeded well).
The general process is basically to remove everything and then rebuild from the inside out and top to bottom.
There are certain important details to be aware of.
Overall, it’s too extensive to explain briefly here. Specific questions are easier to answer.
First question: Has the house already been purchased? If not, definitely walk through the house with a professional to inspect the condition!
Secondly, it’s important to clarify exactly what needs and should be done.
Should the floor plan be changed?
Typical and costly work in older buildings includes:
Water/sewage systems replaced
Complete electrical rewiring
Complete heating system replacement
Roof structure condition?
Roof covering including insulation
Bathrooms, of course
Walls/ceilings/flooring
Windows
Facade
Is the basement dry?
However, since you obviously have no experience, I recommend consulting an architect with experience in older buildings. Also consider an energy consultant.
Another member recently started a thread describing how they managed this without a plan (and succeeded well).
The general process is basically to remove everything and then rebuild from the inside out and top to bottom.
There are certain important details to be aware of.
Overall, it’s too extensive to explain briefly here. Specific questions are easier to answer.
H
HilfeHilfe24 Jun 2017 08:01I see very little chance of success for the project.
A
Alexander54324 Jun 2017 16:08Hello Joedreck,
Thank you very much for your quick response to my question here in the forum.
I already live in the house in question and now finally want to start a complete renovation to bring the living quality up to a modern standard.
The more you deal with the matter, the more you realize that it’s not that easy!!!!
The house has to remain habitable throughout the entire process.
I think your idea of having a professional inspect it promptly beforehand is a good one.
Where can you actually find such a professional?
Does it have to be an architect right away?
Under which category can I find the thread you mentioned where someone completed a similar project?
There I could probably get some useful advice.
My idea would be to possibly start with a new heating system in the basement that can later be expanded with solar panels on the roof.
But even here, for example, the question arises whether I should install radiators or possibly go straight for underfloor heating.
Would you also consider starting the project with the heating system a good approach?
Regards, Alexander!!!
Note:
Why do the “bankers from Hesse” always have to see everything so negatively? At some point, you have to just get started, and they always say nothing comes from nothing!!!!
Thank you very much for your quick response to my question here in the forum.
I already live in the house in question and now finally want to start a complete renovation to bring the living quality up to a modern standard.
The more you deal with the matter, the more you realize that it’s not that easy!!!!
The house has to remain habitable throughout the entire process.
I think your idea of having a professional inspect it promptly beforehand is a good one.
Where can you actually find such a professional?
Does it have to be an architect right away?
Under which category can I find the thread you mentioned where someone completed a similar project?
There I could probably get some useful advice.
My idea would be to possibly start with a new heating system in the basement that can later be expanded with solar panels on the roof.
But even here, for example, the question arises whether I should install radiators or possibly go straight for underfloor heating.
Would you also consider starting the project with the heating system a good approach?
Regards, Alexander!!!
Note:
Why do the “bankers from Hesse” always have to see everything so negatively? At some point, you have to just get started, and they always say nothing comes from nothing!!!!
Take a look at my thread (I only have one). There you will find my renovation project.
If you want to live in it during the process, it gets more complicated. Do you have two floors so you can live on one while renovating the other? Otherwise, it will always end up being a mess, and you’ll never finish because you’ll constantly have to move your things back and forth.
The best approach is to completely gut and rebuild one floor first.
If the roof needs to be replaced, definitely start with that.
If you want to live in it during the process, it gets more complicated. Do you have two floors so you can live on one while renovating the other? Otherwise, it will always end up being a mess, and you’ll never finish because you’ll constantly have to move your things back and forth.
The best approach is to completely gut and rebuild one floor first.
If the roof needs to be replaced, definitely start with that.
I would do the heating system last.
Please provide more details about the house and also your budget.
There are also building surveyors you can consult.
If you want to improve energy efficiency, you might consider financing options from the KfW, including the energy consultants listed there.
If you want high quality and have a substantial budget, then:
Insulate the roof including the top floor ceiling
Insulate the facade
Install new windows or glazing
Insulate the basement ceiling
Remove the screed, install underfloor heating with new screed including a heating load calculation
And finally, install a new heating system that is properly sized.
If you replace the heating first and only insulate later, the heating system will be oversized and cycle frequently. This is inefficient and significantly increases wear and tear.
That’s exactly why you need a professional to guide you through the planning process.
Or you need a year of intensive research and subsequent planning.
I can share some of my experiences here, but as you can see, even that takes time. I enjoy it, but I am also just an interested layperson with my own experience.
Please provide more details about the house and also your budget.
There are also building surveyors you can consult.
If you want to improve energy efficiency, you might consider financing options from the KfW, including the energy consultants listed there.
If you want high quality and have a substantial budget, then:
Insulate the roof including the top floor ceiling
Insulate the facade
Install new windows or glazing
Insulate the basement ceiling
Remove the screed, install underfloor heating with new screed including a heating load calculation
And finally, install a new heating system that is properly sized.
If you replace the heating first and only insulate later, the heating system will be oversized and cycle frequently. This is inefficient and significantly increases wear and tear.
That’s exactly why you need a professional to guide you through the planning process.
Or you need a year of intensive research and subsequent planning.
I can share some of my experiences here, but as you can see, even that takes time. I enjoy it, but I am also just an interested layperson with my own experience.
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