5 Things You Need to Know Before Renovating a Second-Hand Home to Make It Look New
Many people want to have their own home but may find the prices of new homes unaffordable. A popular option is to buy a second-hand home and start renovating the house to make it beautiful again. However, before starting to demolish, extend, or improve, new homeowners should know what to consider to make the renovation process easy, avoid complications, and stay within the budget set.
1. Study the legal requirements before renovating a second-hand home
Renovating a house, whether it involves repairs, modifications, or extensions, requires checking if a permit is needed, especially for work like adding a carport, an outdoor kitchen, or a storage room. If done without permission, it could result in imprisonment of up to 3 months or a fine of up to 60,000 Baht under the Building Control Act B.E. 2522, Sections 21 and 39/2. If the house only needs minor repairs, such as replacing existing materials with the same type without increasing the structural weight by more than 10% or expanding the area by no more than 5 square meters without adding columns or beams, it may qualify for an exemption from needing a permit.
2. Inspect the house’s structure and surrounding conditions
Before starting renovating the house, it is essential to check both the vertical and horizontal structures for issues such as settling, tilting, rust on steel structures, cracks, and water leaks, as well as the electrical and plumbing systems, to ensure that the renovation will not exacerbate existing problems and will help extend the life of the house.
3. Set a budget and choose a professional contractor
Renovating a second-hand home often comes with hidden costs, including repair costs, decoration costs, system work costs, and material costs. Always set aside a budget for contingencies and choose a contractor with expertise to ensure that problems are resolved in one go, leaving the house completed without frequent repairs.
4. Choose appropriate materials and paint colors for the house
Second-hand homes deteriorate over time, so it is necessary to replace worn-out materials or parts of the house with better new ones. Many people focus on changing for convenience in daily life, such as Smart Home systems, long-term electricity savings with solar panels, or cool house paint
, or switching to environmentally friendly, low-carbon materials that are of high quality and have a longer lifespan, such as products with environmental labels certified by green labels or carbon reduction labels. Although they may be more expensive, they are worth it when considering the benefits received in the future.
One important aspect to consider is choosing the paint color for the house, as it serves as a protective barrier that every home needs to withstand heat, sunlight, UV rays, seasonal weather conditions, as well as pollution and dirt. BEGER COOL paint is considered a cool house paint that addresses many concerns in every season, whether hot or cold, with the innovation of AeroTech combined with Ceramic Cooling technology. From NASA, helps keep homes cooler and more durable
through the 3 components principle known as REI, which includes
- Heat Reflection up to 97.5%* reduces surface wall temperature accumulation by up to 9.9 degrees and can lower indoor temperatures by 2-6 degrees**
- Heat Emission is faster than regular house paint, does not accumulate heat on wall surfaces, enhancing the durability of the walls and extending their lifespan.
- Acts like Insulation by resisting and reducing heat from entering the house, helping save energy and reducing electricity bills by over 32%*** in all color shades.
*Test results by the Radiation and Heat Testing Institute OTM Solutions, Singapore
**Test results from Beger Co., Ltd. laboratory
***Test results from leading domestic educational and energy research institutions
5. Repair or refurbish old furniture to make it beautiful again
A renovated second-hand home may come with old furniture. If the old items are in good condition, it is recommended to repair them first to stay within the budget, especially metal furniture or wood, which can have the old paint stripped off and be repainted.
If it’s new furniture that may not meet our taste, it is advisable to choose new pieces based on the theme or color tone of the room to ensure they match as closely as possible. However, if there is a brilliant room design idea, homeowners can paint the room, decorate the theme, and incorporate various furniture to express their personality.
Precautions when renovating a second-hand home
Expertise and experience in home renovation are often lacking for new homeowners. Renovating a second-hand home means that if we undertake the work without knowledge or consulting experts, we risk damaging the house instead of enhancing it, wasting money and time rather than keeping within budget and finishing the house on time for move-in.
Therefore, homeowners should consult contractors or renovation experts before starting the renovation process, especially for structural work and various systems within the house that require expertise and assessment from experienced individuals. This will help ensure a beautiful home in good condition as desired and save money, keeping within budget.
An essential part of renovating house walls is repairing, preparing the surface, and painting the entire system. Primer and topcoat are necessary because old plaster walls that have aged over time will deteriorate and have a reduced lifespan, thus requiring long-lasting protection from various paint products to ensure durability, strength, and beauty that will last for many years, even if it is considered a second-hand home.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Renovating Second-Hand Homes
Q1: What should be done first when renovating a second-hand home?
A1: The first thing to do is to inspect the condition of the house and check the structure. If there are cracks, leaks, or structural settling, these should be addressed before starting the decoration work to prevent future problems.
Q2: Is it necessary to obtain a construction permit for home renovation?
A2: It depends on the nature of the work. If it involves major additions, such as extending the kitchen or adding a garage, you must submit plans for a permit to the municipality or the local administrative organization according to the Building Control Act B.E. 2522. However, if it is minor repairs, such as replacing existing materials without increasing the structural weight by more than 10%, a permit is usually not required.
Q3: Should I hire a general contractor or a professional contractor for home renovation?
A3: It is recommended to choose a contractor with experience and a proven track record in home renovations to ensure quality work, timely completion, and fewer revisions. Although it may cost more, it saves time and money in the long run.
