Renovating a house in terrible shape???
hi, we are considering purchasing a brownstone in terrible condition. It is, in fact, quite scary – you would NOT want to live there in its current state…. But, most (if not all) of the original detail is present – fireplaces; plaserwork; moldings; woodwork; etc… We understand how expensive this undertaking can/will be. However, I…
hi, we are considering purchasing a brownstone in terrible condition. It is, in fact, quite scary – you would NOT want to live there in its current state…. But, most (if not all) of the original detail is present – fireplaces; plaserwork; moldings; woodwork; etc… We understand how expensive this undertaking can/will be. However, I guess we lack “vision” and are concerned that we could make a truly beautiful house out of it given the current state of disrepair. As for the current state – the floor has been mostly covered with nasty lineloeum; the bathrooms look like something out of a bus stop; there are holes (water damage) in the ceiling; the staircase (original) feels a bit rickety at places…. Putting aside the cost of renovation which we know will run the range of $500 -$750K), we just want to make sure that this place is “salvageable”. In that regard, I was hoping someone could post “before” and “After” pictures of their homes that looked the way I describe this one prior to their renovation.
I guess my concern is the following – we have seen beautiful homes that need a full renovation, but the homes looked like they just needed a bit of sprucing up. (Ie, painting, minor repairs, new kitchens/bathrooms). But because those homes also needed all new plumbing/electric, they needed a major renovation. This house, however, looks like it needs much more than sprucing up and we just were hoping to see confirmation that such a house could be rescued.
thanks!
We just made an offer on a 4 story, 3 family in south slope that needs an overhaul, but has good bones. We plan on living in the duplex and renting out the 2 units (2 small 2 bedrooms). I was under the impression that a gut renovation would run about $80 a sq foot, and with this 2,500 house I’d be looking at 200k. Am I being realistic? overprojecting? underprojecting? Any info would help! Thanks -Sara
You can always rent a booth this spring at the Brooklyn Flea Market to sell off all your “details”.
I’m trying to be…aaah…polite. So…you’d spend 100k on a kitchen and PAINT it yourself? Talk about penny-wise, pound foolish. How much does it cost to paint a room?!
Yes, I know exactly what I’m speaking of. I can quote youprices for all kinds of cabinets, appliances, etc. And labor.
I did specify non-structural, since obviously if you’re including blowing out the entire back wall and making a 2-level loft space, you might, and I say might, reach 100k.
My assumption about your income is hardly something to get upset over! If anyone thinks 100k is anywhere *near normal* for a kitchen, they are, shall I say way, out of my league. And I make quite a decent living.
cmu–
Your assumptions about my income bracket are presumptuous to say the very least.
Have you recently bid out a kitchen requiring a complete mechanical upgrade, architectural services, and licensed contractors?
If so, you would know that $100k does not buy you “obscene obstentation.” In my experience, it gets you mid-priced cabinets, appliances and a certain amt of DIY, like doing all the painting yourself.
Tinarina, I’m so glad I’m not in your income bracket, with its extraordinary expectations.
100k on a kitchen borders on obscene ostentation.
$100-$300k is too low! It’s EASY to spend $100k on a kitchen that’s not particularly large or high-end. More than fancy finishes, the cost of labor has really skyrocketed in recent years.
Structural stuff that comes up only after the walls are open (like rotted beams or joists) sounds scary but it’s not–there are straightforward solutions and the cost is generally reasonable.
Would you live in this house or rent nearby during the reno? The latter is less stressful but gets expensive very quickly. Especially since the reno will take longer than anticipated!
You definitely can spend less but having a larger budget to allow for contingencies is always a positive thing.
As an aside, Ive spoken to many people who tell me they aren’t planning on doing a high end renovation and but then realize the things they thought would be average is actually really expensive. Im not sure if you are one of those people or not but before you say you don’t plan on a high end reno, you really need to understand what your expectations are vs. what things cost.
The renovation of a brownstone can easily take over your life–it becomes all you think about-all you dream about-all you work for. Some may find that reality is a beautiful thing-others their worst nightmare> The hard thing is figuring out which one will be the case for you–which is vitually impossible until you are already in it.
if you need everything new, probably cost you about 150-300k.