Planning a Boston home renovation can be fun, from choosing new flooring to planning the kitchen layout to selecting the latest fixtures – till it comes time for the demolition. This is when surprises can crop up where you least expect them.
This is especially common when remodeling older and historic Boston homes. Unfortunately, there’s really no way to know what’s happening behind the scenes until walls, ceilings and floors are opened up. After all, your home could be several decades old, maybe closing in on a century.
Check out these seven things your Boston contractor may discover once the renovation is underway.
1. Outdated Electrical Wiring
Outdated wiring is common in older homes. If your renovation has revealed concerning electrical components, it’s important to address this issue before putting up new drywall.
A renovation is a great chance to evaluate what’s already there, and plan for the demands brought about by installation of modern appliances and lighting. Electrical work should only be handled by qualified professionals – not as a DIY project.
2. Plumbing You Weren’t Expecting
Walls often contain water supply or drain lines, and you don’t always know where those will be. Relocating plumbing can add to the scope of your project, especially as part of a kitchen or bathroom remodel.
3. Evidence of an Old Leak
Your wall may look perfectly fine from your spot on the couch in the living room, but on the other side of it, a different story can be told.
Old staining, damaged materials or deterioration are signs of a current or previous moisture problem. Find out where the water is coming from, fix it, and then cover the wall up. Those stains will keep coming back if the root cause isn’t addressed.
4. Insulation Gaps, or Very Little Insulation
Opening exterior walls in an older Boston home can reveal inadequate or inconsistent insulation. This is a good time to improve the insulation in those areas, and seal unwanted air leaks to improve comfort and energy efficiency.
5. Previous Renovations
Older Boston properties often have long histories, and previous owners may have remodeled them many times. Once demolition begins, your contractor may find:
- Old doorways
- Patched framing
- Abandoned pipes or wiring
- Mismatched materials
- Evidence of an addition completed years ago
6. Structural Components That Can’t Simply Disappear
You may be planning on removing a wall in the kitchen to open up the space. But you know what they say about best laid plans. Sometimes, what’s inside that wall will halt the project quickly. It may be a load bearing wall, or it could contain ductwork that would be costly to reroute.
For a project that involves extensive structural and interior changes, you may decide that a gut rehab makes more sense than addressing one area at a time.
7. Hidden Work That Affects Your Budget
One discovery often leads to additional work. Perhaps your contractor found deteriorated materials inside the wall. Those repairs will have to be tackled before the rest of the renovation can proceed.
Homeowners should always be flexible when coming up with their renovation budget. A little bit of a buffer will help you address hidden conditions without sacrificing the finishes or features you planned. See our construction budgeting tips for first-time renovators for more ways to prepare financially.
Surprises Don’t Have to Derail Your Boston Renovation
While you don’t know what a demolition will reveal behind hidden walls, you can prepare for those possibilities ahead of time. Keep an open mind and hire a Boston contractor who can identify unexpected conditions, explain how they affect the project, and come up with the best solution.
Contact AD Construction
Turn to our team for complex renovations and historic restorations with confidence. Contact A D Construction or call 877-345-BUILD to discuss your renovation.
