Many things will go bad over time. The water heater has about a 10 year life, the air conditioner up to 15 years and that roof, well look at up to 20 years. These are just the big items. A house begins to deteriorate the day it is built. Weather, people, animals, insects all play a part in its eventual destruction unless you put some energy into maintaining it. Renovations to your house will eventually be required.

You can dive into some major projects to help improve your house and retain its value. Renovations will help to extend life to you house, even small ones.

While every project is different, here are some basic timeframes you can expect for a home renovation project:

Cosmetic renovations – a weekend to three months

Typically, short restorations which require minor repairs or cosmetic tune-ups could take from just one weekend up to three months. 

This includes tasks including exterior painting, new counters, new appliances or simple floor replacement. It could also be a simple addition to a landscape or replacing the kitchen sink for a more modern house design.

Renovations painting

Medium renovations – Several weeks to six months

The next timeline approach to home renovation is medium renovation, taking between two and three months to complete. This usually includes situations where a room needs to be completely gutted and major systems accessed. For example, a complete bathroom or kitchen remodel would count as a medium renovation.

Major overhaul – 6 months to 1 year

If the whole house must be gutted, the process can be complicated and time-consuming. This type of construction project often takes 6 to 12 months to complete, sometimes longer. 

Homes that are old or in poor condition often require a major overhaul to replace and repair significant elements such as the roof and foundation.

The answer

All these projects can extend the useful life of your home. Historic houses and buildings can last up to 200+ years if they receive special maintenance and preventative services to keep them in top condition. 

The bare minimum lifespan you can expect from a residential home is 25 years, but regular maintenance and care will boost that number considerably.

infographic about home renovations

If you’re interested in extending your home’s lifespan, consult a contractor for guidance on the best remodeling projects to start with. Remember, the day you buy your house it starts to wear out. There are some great reasons for maintaining your home. Your insurance policy is based on the condition of your house, if it’s poor you could pay a lot more for your insurance.

Renovations to your house should be considered before the situation becomes critical such as putting a foot through the floor. Some Renovations to your house are for safety reasons, some to keep the structure in place and some for cosmetic.

Keep that roof in good repair or the insurance will increase. Passing up on some repairs will only increase the cost later.

If you are interested in selling your house, please contact us at Logan-Anderson, Gulf Coastal Realtors. We can recommend contractors to improve it before you sell it. Decorating secrets: Designing for a small living space.