What makes renovating a 1970s house different?

When someone mentions the 1970s, you probably think of hippies, the Vietnam War or the break-up of the band Golden Kids. Or perhaps the šumperák house. If you live in such a house or have inherited one, you are probably wondering what to do with it now. Renovating a house is always tricky. It hardly matters which century or period it dates from. An old house like this has its flaws and quirks, and they tend to be hidden.

Step by step

Proceed very carefully in every respect, especially when it comes to finances and professional skill. If you do not feel confident handling such a renovation yourself, it is better to call in a capable building firm. So what should you focus on before your tradespeople arrive?

The first inspection

Before you start any work, have an expert assess the condition of the property. They will usually check whether the foundations of your house are in good order. They will then make sure that the house you want to renovate is not being eaten away by mould, for example.

Prepare a budget

The same expert should also give you an approximate price for the complete renovation. They should write down your requirements and expectations. They will then calculate the costs, from materials to building work. Even so, allow for a financial reserve. Old houses really do tend to have a lot of flaws.

And where do you find the money for such an investment in better housing? We definitely recommend saving up part of it. However, if the costs are too high, a renovation mortgage may come in handy.

Starting the work

If the weather and the building authority with its various permits are on your side, all that remains is to sign the contract and work can begin. A house renovation like this can take from 3 to 12 months, depending on the extent of the damage. Set aside as much time as you can and try to be present during the renovation as often as possible. This way you can avoid various misunderstandings and disputes.

Try not to demolish

There is bound to be some “clever” neighbour nearby who will advise you to demolish your house rather than renovate it. There may be several reasons for this, but if it is at all possible, do not demolish. And why?

• You can move in straight away: even while renovating, you can move in immediately, so you do not have to pay rent elsewhere.

• Renovate gradually: this way you avoid mortgages and other large loans. Although the price may be that you will not go to the seaside for several years.

Start with the roof

This is probably the most expensive part of your whole property. Renovating a house is certainly no easy task, so focus on the roof first. Another advantage of renovating it is that you can make use of the loft, where you can put bedrooms or guest rooms.

Dealing with cracks

If your house has cracks, rest assured that even a house from the 1970s does not necessarily need to be demolished. There can be several reasons why the cracks appeared. It may be due to an extension without a basement or uneven settlement of the floors. Waterlogging or careless drying out of the soil around the house can also play a part.

Our tip: Try applying plaster over the crack. Make several plaster tell-tales and watch them for a few months to see whether they crack. If they do not, the crack is not dangerous. If they do, be sure to call a structural engineer to assess the crack and propose a solution.

Tackle damp

You can get rid of damp with drainage and a waterproofing coating on the outside around the underground part of the house. You can also undercut the load-bearing walls of the house or use one of the other measures. No measure is completely perfect; they are designed by masonry remediation specialists, but the proposed measures tend to be very expensive in the end and effective at least for some time.

Renovating a house from the 1970s can take a huge toll on your nerves. To get rid of the accumulated stress, try doing yoga, for example. If exercise is not your thing, try building a garden shed: it will keep you busy and you will also create something useful.