There are a lot of little projects that I would like to do in my home. It was my mother-in-law's home so I would be able to know the history going back 30 years. How should I prioritize the following projects (especially if we plan on living in the home between 5-10 years)?-9 Replacement Windows (currently very drafty single-pane, wood frames) -A friend mentioned that the home's insulation may be shot (not sure) would this be a better investment than windows?-Bathroom (sq. footage unknown but not very large, I would say 8ftx6ft space includes sink/tub/toilet small built-in cabinet)-Kitchen (again, sq. footage unknown but cabinets are 30+ years old and there are only 3 lower cabinets, 2 small drawers and very little counter space)-Landscaping
Who are these people? How many homes have they refurbished? Look. If you don't have it sealed from the weather you'll lose it all. Start with the roof. If there is rot up there, replace it before replacing the roofing. Make sure someone knows what they are doing with flashing: You don't want leaks or set the place up to burn it down at the flues. Then, you need to make sure your drainage is good. Start with establishing a minimum slope of 1/foot for the first ten feet out from the house, all around. Be sure the gutters and downspouts are in good repair and the water is taken away from the building.. It is essential that you have 4 perforated drain pipe and 7/8 washed gravel below footing height all around. And if you hand dig, do not dig deeper than chest height without adequate shoring so you don't kill yourself. Now, assure the rest of the house is out of the weather... windows, doors, felt or other sheeting product, trim and siding. You are now ready for the interior in this order: plumbing, electrical. insulation, sheet rock, tape, texture, paint, trim, doors, cabinets, finish plumbing, finish electrical, and finish hardware...landscaping. Do any of this out of order and you are setting yourself up for rip-outs.
Do you know a Realtor that you can ask to look at the house? Is you do, I would ask them for advice. They are actually very good at determining which projects can't wait and which will do the most good. Personally, I put landscaping at the BOTTOM of the priority list. I would have to see the home to rank the other projects, but replacing single pane windows would be near the top.
I'd say immediately have the windows replaced with vinyl framed double glazed Low-E -- that's the biggest energy waster. Next, I'd say blow more attic insulation -- up to about R 38 in the South and about R 48 up north, if there's room in the attic. Walls are important, but not nearly as important as windows and ceiling insulation. Landscaping can be done pretty much all year long, as long as the ground isn't frozen -- trees and shrubs transplant best in about Feb here in TX. Kitchen and bath -- ask wifey, she'll know that answer.
If you have to choose between replacing windows and doing insulation, do the insulation. You need both, but you can always get plastic sheeting to cover the windows in cold weather. It's not an ideal situation, but it will keep heat in and your heating costs down. You can lose a lot of heat thru uninsulated attics and basements -- there should be insulation under your first floor whether you have a basement or a crawl space. The exception would be the furnace room, which will be warm. My basement, e.g., is divided into two rooms, one with the furnace and one without. I keep the furnace room ceiling uninsulated and the door closed to the cold room. In that room, I have the ceiling, which is the underside of the first floor, insulated with faced R-19, facing toward the first floor. If the attic is unfinished, the floor should have at least R38 insulation, with the vapor-proof barrier facing down. If the attic is finished, the insulation should go in the ceiling, under the roof. In either case, google to make sure you are adequately ventilated, because poorly ventilated or badly installed attic insulation will collect moisture and ruin your roof and ceilings. As far as selling the house, they say the kitchen sells the house. So, I'd say, 1 - insulation, 2 - windows, 3 - kitchen, 4 - bathroom, and 5 - landscaping, tho landscaping can often be done cheaply if neighbors' have hedges that need thinning, e.g., or this time of year you can sometimes find perennials and trees on sale. If you do, and you can improve your landscaping cheaply, do it. Invest in a few nice perennials rather than high maintenance short-lived annuals.
The smartest thing to do is call in an energy survey ...It will cost between $ 125 and 150. It will save you thousands. This will identify what areas need to be addressed first. Getting the house properly sealed and insulated is a huge priority or you will be spending the money needed to remodel in heating and cooling bills. If funds are tight be sure the windows are properly caulked and put the heat shrink plastic on the windows this year - spend the money on the insulation. Many times...you can DIY the insulation in rooms such as the attic. The attic if not the proper rating will lose 30% of your heat/cooling. The next thing to address is the electrical to make sure that your service is adequate. The HA VC and hot water heater should be looked at at this time. The kitchen sounds unworkable. There are many ways to get a great kitchen for next to nothing. Craig's list your local buy/sell people will sell their old kitchens winnipeg.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell... A little paint new handles and this could be great. Counter tops can be tiled or painted too. Also your local cabinet maker that works out of his garage will have better quality and offer less expensive options then even Home Depot or Lowes in the end you have a local craftsman to refit your kitchen. Bathroom is the last priority. Landscaping is a grab as you go. Wait for end of season sales on plants ..trees and shrubs July is a great time to address these. Have a plan and be willing to alter it for a better find. Check out the salvage yards for fencing stones pavers lighting and construction material. The biggest thing is you and your wife need to really think hard and realistically on what your willing to commit time wise, what your willing to learn and what you need professionals for. If you need a professional get at least 3 estimates and referances.
