Any of you hunks purchased property and renovated it yourself?

[Phantom Spunker]

Is it a total nightmare? Specifically, could the average spaz (e.g. me) fix things like damp internal walls, replace floors, and maybe do some roof tiling? Can I realistically just YouTube it and give it a go or will I end up spending a fortune?

[IroNat]

I've done a ton of it.

If you have the skills to DIY then it can work but if not hiring all that work out can kill you.

Yes, you can learn from Youtube and practice on your own house.  You will need to buy or rent the requisite tools.

It depends on what you mean by "renovating".

Some things are pretty easy but some things require skill and experience.

Know thyself.

I can do plumbing, electrical, drywalling, painting, flooring, roofing, basic carpentry which I learned on the job from others many years ago.

However, there are some things I won't do because it's a pain in the azz and sometimes dangerous.  I'm not going up 40 feet on a roof for example at my age although I did it 30 years ago. 

Buying a house that needs some drywall and painting cosmetics is far away from getting involved in fixing structural issues or spending big bucks on major repairs that require licensed professionals like HVAC or upgrading a house circuit panel.

So, before you buy know what the problems are.  Don't be surprised when that 25 year old furnace or roof craps out and you have to shell out $10,000-
$15,000 or $3000 to update the outdated electric service.

[Spike]

one thing Id be weary of is damp wood/walls - specially mold/mildew - that shit can ruin a home as well as make you sick - I grew herb out of my house once and we build a room , carpentry, dry wall, small electrical work - I can tell you the right tools make a huge diff - like using an impact driver instead of a drill


if you know your shit and your house isn't too ffckd up Id go fro it - did Evan centopranoi renovate his house like that ??

[Tapeworm]

Totally doable. But. Correctly assessing the extent of the work required, budgeting for it, and seeing that it's reflected in the sale price is the art.

Materials are expensive these days, and availability problems are common.

Women, in my experience, don't deal well with living in a building site. They underestimate the time it will take and overestimate their tolerance for it. Your girl may vary.

I have a strong trade background. Let me know if you have questions.

[Phantom Spunker]

Thanks, guys.

So, it's a house I'm looking at just now online. It's back home, in an area I love, and it's twenty grand cheaper than its estimated value in anticipation of the repairs it needs. All repairs are Grade 2, meaning nothing urgent but will require future attention. I like the idea of getting it to rent it out, and I could spend a few months redecorating and carrying out some simple repairs. Girlfriend wouldn't have to stay but would probably love to do it up with me (total weirdo).

I'd be fine with all the painting, garden work, etc. However, I'm well aware that a lot of the work is carried out by trained professionals - which I'm not. The specific issues which I could see myself totally fucking up are 'internal joinery and kitchen fittings', internal wall dampness, and replacing 'corroded rainwater fittings'. I'd also have to pay professionals to fix some plumbing issues.

I'm talking myself out of this as I write.

[Humble Narcissist]

You wouldn't want me renovating a house.

[Phantom Spunker]

You wouldn't want me renovating a house.

You're invited to the sleepover when it's finished.

[Dave D]

Is it a total nightmare? Specifically, could the average spaz (e.g. me) fix things like damp internal walls, replace floors, and maybe do some roof tiling? Can I realistically just YouTube it and give it a go or will I end up spending a fortune?

If you have the time you can do almost anything. Most of it is labor intensive and learning as you go. For me I learned a lot of techniques I would use next time. It was work but it was an experience I mostly enjoyed.
Flooring and fixing walls doesn’t require much skill, just effort. What’s the cause of  damp internal walls exterior moisture, leaky pipes? I can’t speak to roof tilting.

[Phantom Spunker]

If you have the time you can do almost anything. Most of it is labor intensive and learning as you go. For me I learned a lot of techniques I would use next time. It was work but it was an experience I mostly enjoyed.
Flooring and fixing walls doesn’t require much skill, just effort. What’s the cause of  damp internal walls exterior moisture, leaky pipes? I can’t speak to roof tilting.

The good thing is I can have the time to do it. I just worry it's outside of my abilities and I'll end up spending a load of money. There's some nice flats in the same area which might be a better option for renting out to students and they don't require anything other than decorating. But, a small house would probably be better for the long-term, and I'd get more reliable tenants, I assume. Can't see anything written about the cause of dampness, though it's a fairly old house. I'll need to arrange a viewing and get back there.

[ProudVirgin69]

I do this full time, self employed.  Based off what you've written, sounds like a mess.

Ideal home for a beginner is a well-maintained but outdated house, where the current owners can't be bothered or don't have the funds to renovate.  Yours is not, so who knows what horrors lurk behind those walls

[Sissysquats]

 Beyond skills, or at least being competent enough to grasp how to videos, it helps to understand what is hidden, underneath the exterior. For example…..your wet drywall could turn into insulation, likely, and sheathing/exterior finish. It could be the roof is hosed. If you know someone in the trades have them walk the property with you and point out the the pitfalls. Paying a property/dwelling inspector to scope it out would be another alternative

[Phantom Spunker]

Yeah, you guys are right. Too many unknowns and too much to take on. Fuck that. I like the idea but the reality will just be a headache. There's other, safer options.

[IroNat]

Being a landlord is a whole 'nother area of which I think you have no experience.  An even worse idea is being an absentee landlord.

Combine that with no handyman skills and you have a future scenario of lots of sleepless nights ahead of you.

My opinions and other may disagree.

Unless this is a house for you to live in just put your money into your retirement plan in a very low expense total market equity index fund.

You'll be farther ahead with no headaches.

[ThisisOverload]

Being a landlord is a whole 'nother area of which I think you have no experience.  An even worse idea is being an absentee landlord.

Combine that with no handyman skills and you have a future scenario of lots of sleepless nights ahead of you.

My opinions and other may disagree.

Unless this is a house for you to live in just put your money into your retirement plan in a very low expense total market equity index fund.

You'll be farther ahead with no headaches.

I flipped houses for 10 years and still have 3 rental houses in Texas and NM.

If you don't have the skills and the tools it's a bad idea.

Lucky for me i have a cousin who built houses for almost 30 years. He helped me with everything and did 75% of the work.

It was still a nightmare.

Scope creep is real and things end up costing way more than anticipated. I used to add a 30% contingency to all the work i planned for the house, and i overran that most of the time.

If you buy a house that needs simple updates and live in it, that's going to be better as long as you are ok living in an unfinished house. Like many said already, it gets old fast.

With the supply issues now it's hard to get a contractor to get anything done on time.

I have a rental in southern NM that the tenants just left in December. I hired a contractor to replace the wood floors and re-tile the entire house. Replaced 2 windows and added a backsplash in the kitchen.

They said it would take 10-15 business days.

It took over 3 months.

That's 3 months of rent i missed out on.

I keep my rentals because they are paid off and i can sell them for a huge profit in 10-15 years.

But having been in this racket for over 15 years i tell people to stay away.

[IroNat]

I flipped houses for 10 years and still have 3 rental houses in Texas and NM.

If you don't have the skills and the tools it's a bad idea.

Lucky for me i have a cousin who built houses for almost 30 years. He helped me with everything and did 75% of the work.

It was still a nightmare.

Scope creep is real and things end up costing way more than anticipated. I used to add a 30% contingency to all the work i planned for the house, and i overran that most of the time.

If you buy a house that needs simple updates and live in it, that's going to be better as long as you are ok living in an unfinished house. Like many said already, it gets old fast.

With the supply issues now it's hard to get a contractor to get anything done on time.

I have a rental in southern NM that the tenants just left in December. I hired a contractor to replace the wood floors and re-tile the entire house. Replaced 2 windows and added a backsplash in the kitchen.

They said it would take 10-15 business days.

It took over 3 months.

That's 3 months of rent i missed out on.

I keep my rentals because they are paid off and i can sell them for a huge profit in 10-15 years.

But having been in this racket for over 15 years i tell people to stay away.

I understand you completely TIO.

It takes some balls to keep at it.

It's a business. 

I did it for 25 years and when I sold the last property it was like a weight came off me.

Huge stress at times. 

Lots of valuable experiences but bad ones too along the way.

[Tapeworm]

I'd never buy something I hadn't seen irl. That said, roof plumbing issues means moisture at the foundation, so maybe your moisture issues all go away once rainwater is appropriately directed.

 Idk if it's footed slab foundation or stumps & crawlspace but foundational and structural integrity would be my main concern. I'd bring my laser (which casts a plane, not just a point) and check floors for subsidence. Bigass cracks in the walls justify checking that walls are plumb. Check roofing for obvious saddles and get in the roofspace (and crawlspace if it's there) to look for termites. Even if their treatment schedule is up to date, Termidor is wildly expensive, so dilute application and poor practices are common.

Light millwork is easy enough. You'll need a mitre saw and a pin gun, aka brad nailer. I like my paslode which doesn't need a compressor and hose. Drywall is easy although leveling ceilings will want a laser, which you could just rent. You can bridge a bit to keep walls and ceilings true without playing carpenter if there are framing issues. Rainwater fittings are probably prefabricated in the US, but mitreing gutters, fascia, and downspouts is something you'll figure out fine unless you've got something crazy upmarket like copper. It's probably just galv and PVC. Painting is 80% patience and diligence during prep. 

Rainwater and greywater tanks are something to consider during reno.

[Phantom Spunker]

Being a landlord is a whole 'nother area of which I think you have no experience.  An even worse idea is being an absentee landlord.

Combine that with no handyman skills and you have a future scenario of lots of sleepless nights ahead of you.

My opinions and other may disagree.

Unless this is a house for you to live in just put your money into your retirement plan in a very low expense total market equity index fund.

You'll be farther ahead with no headaches.

Correct, yeah. I've managed programmes and set locations up/ran them abroad, so I don't think I'd struggle with the landlord side of things, providing I'm not always away, but it's the DIY stuff I think I need to be wary of, and not fucking myself over by taking on something that needs a lot of expertise. I'd like to slow things down and spend more time at home, and feel like I could probably take on a few rentals. I'd need to sit down with professionals to really sketch it all out, but it's good hearing from people who've actually done it.

So, massive pain in the ass to actually do, then? I'll need to read up more on index funds - my knowledge is limited.

I flipped houses for 10 years and still have 3 rental houses in Texas and NM.

If you don't have the skills and the tools it's a bad idea.

Lucky for me i have a cousin who built houses for almost 30 years. He helped me with everything and did 75% of the work.

It was still a nightmare.

Scope creep is real and things end up costing way more than anticipated. I used to add a 30% contingency to all the work i planned for the house, and i overran that most of the time.

If you buy a house that needs simple updates and live in it, that's going to be better as long as you are ok living in an unfinished house. Like many said already, it gets old fast.

With the supply issues now it's hard to get a contractor to get anything done on time.

I have a rental in southern NM that the tenants just left in December. I hired a contractor to replace the wood floors and re-tile the entire house. Replaced 2 windows and added a backsplash in the kitchen.

They said it would take 10-15 business days.

It took over 3 months.

That's 3 months of rent i missed out on.

I keep my rentals because they are paid off and i can sell them for a huge profit in 10-15 years.

But having been in this racket for over 15 years i tell people to stay away.

Thanks, TiO. These are the kind of things I'm worried about. I don't have the skills, so it would have to be property that doesn't require a lot done to it, and as others say, maybe there's better investments out there.

[Tapeworm]

Also, imo, "building inspectors" are one of the biggest scams out there. Maybe it's different in the US. Afaik, they shoulder no liability at all and their useless opinions, which you are paying for, are a mortgage contract requirement.

I'm sure there are good ones out there but if a guy can tell you a total lemon looks good and then face no consequences, then it's an industry which will invite people who flunked out of contracting. Like, if you're a hot shit builder then why aren't you making a living as a builder?

The building inspectors I've met couldn't handle a bathroom renovation. In Aus they're all skinnyfat Brits in sedans and dress shoes with zero dirt under their fingernails, and every tool in the trunk is brand new.

[POB]

Thanks, guys.

So, it's a house I'm looking at just now online. It's back home, in an area I love, and it's twenty grand cheaper than its estimated value in anticipation of the repairs it needs. All repairs are Grade 2, meaning nothing urgent but will require future attention. I like the idea of getting it to rent it out, and I could spend a few months redecorating and carrying out some simple repairs. Girlfriend wouldn't have to stay but would probably love to do it up with me (total weirdo).

I'd be fine with all the painting, garden work, etc. However, I'm well aware that a lot of the work is carried out by trained professionals - which I'm not. The specific issues which I could see myself totally fucking up are 'internal joinery and kitchen fittings', internal wall dampness, and replacing 'corroded rainwater fittings'. I'd also have to pay professionals to fix some plumbing issues.

I'm talking myself out of this as I write.

Don’t do it, real estate is at record highs, you’ve been in a bull market for 10 years, in wall water dampness screams mold which means your gutting to the frame eating up all your profit and then some, and this rarely works out for a non contractor. Real life isn’t a tv show… If the rates go up like every “expert” says home prices could easily drop the 20 % your saving. If you decide to do it good luck and what ever you think it will cost and time it will take you multiply it by 2

[Phantom Spunker]

Also, imo, "building inspectors" are one of the biggest scams out there. Maybe it's different in the US. Afaik, they shoulder no liability at all and their useless opinions, which you are paying for, are a mortgage contract requirement.

I'm sure there are good ones out there but if a guy can tell you a total lemon looks good and then face no consequences, then it's an industry which will invite people who flunked out of contracting. Like, if you're a hot shit builder then why aren't you making a living as a builder?

The building inspectors I've met couldn't handle a bathroom renovation. In Aus they're all skinnyfat Brits in sedans and dress shoes with zero dirt under their fingernails, and every tool in the trunk is brand new.

Thanks, Tape. Your posts evidence a level of expertise I'll never have. If I started crawling around in roof spaces and shit like that, I just know I'd end up naked and dead, probably with my belt around my neck so everyone thinks I died during a wanking accident or something horrendous.

And absolutely agree with the so-called building 'inspectors'. They're all fat Asian kids in my area, walking around in Zara suits and Chinese-made shoes with no socks. The building reports I've been reading are a joke. Everything 'looks alright' after being inspected with a pair of binoculars from 500 metres away, lol.

[IroNat]

Also, imo, "building inspectors" are one of the biggest scams out there. Maybe it's different in the US. Afaik, they shoulder no liability at all and their useless opinions, which you are paying for, are a mortgage contract requirement.

I'm sure there are good ones out there but if a guy can tell you a total lemon looks good and then face no consequences, then it's an industry which will invite people who flunked out of contracting. Like, if you're a hot shit builder then why aren't you making a living as a builder?

The building inspectors I've met couldn't handle a bathroom renovation. In Aus they're all skinnyfat Brits in sedans and dress shoes with zero dirt under their fingernails, and every tool in the trunk is brand new.

Agreed.

[Marty Champions]

Is the wetness on certain walls? Any staining on ceiling? Is the wetness more when it rains? Do you have airfolw to all rooms and ductwork?Youve got to stop being a pussy and narrow it down , ivestigate with common sense we need more info Working on a house takes time you can do it.

[Phantom Spunker]

Is the wetness on certain walls? Any staining on ceiling? Is the wetness more when it rains? Do you have airfolw to all rooms and ductwork?Youve got to stop being a pussy and narrow it down , ivestigate with common sense we need more info Working on a house takes time you can do it.

I've not seen it yet, neeg. I need to arrange a viewing when I'm back but some faget will probably have already bought it by then.

[Marty Champions]

I've not seen it yet, neeg. I need to arrange a viewing when I'm back but some faget will probably have already bought it by then.

likely the fagget will get the property unfortuley

[chaos]

I was thinking about doing this. Maybe hire management company? So far a friend of mine has had decent luck with it.