When we think of the term “fixer-upper,” we’re generally referring to a household that needs repairs or renovations put in place to fix damage or dysfunction. But the truth is that sometimes, a house can be perfectly functional and even appealing, but it still left in poor care. Perhaps the previous owner was an elderly individual, and couldn’t clean or care for the space as they once did, hence the need to move on.
Maybe the previous owners had various personal struggles going on, and so household care wasn’t the top of their priority list. In some cases, hoarding tendencies and other issues can make a nice household into a poor reflection of itself. It’s quite sad to see the circumstances some owners live in, but now that you’ve decided to take on the property, you can implement your own and improve it.
Use a Specialist Removals/Clear-up Team
Some removal companies aren’t equipped to deal with properties that have been severely neglected or where hoarding has been an issue. In that case, you need specialists who understand how to safely clear out spaces that might contain damaged items, potentially even clean health hazards, or just huge amounts of accumulated belongings that need careful sorting.
Specialist teams and cleaners like this can know how to work efficiently while being respectful of what might have been difficult circumstances for the previous owners. They can also spot items that might be valuable or worth keeping, which other clearance teams might just throw in the skip, and the cost is usually worth it because they can clear and clean spaces much faster than you could manage on your own.
Replace Vital Fixtures When Needed
Some fixtures in neglected properties are beyond cleaning and really do need replacing for hygiene and safety reasons. For example, old bathroom suites that have been stained or damaged over years of poor maintenance won’t come clean no matter how hard you scrub, and trying to restore them is often a waste of time and effort.
We use this example because kitchen units and bathroom fixtures are usually the worst-affected areas in properties that haven’t been properly maintained. The best bathtub replacement companies can help you determine what’s salvageable and what needs to go, which allows you to you prioritize your budget on replacements that will make the biggest difference to making the space livable again.
Ventilate The Property
Houses that have been closed up or poorly ventilated for long periods develop stale, musty odors that can be a good sign of damp that might have rotted walls, and no doubt smells when you first walk in. Getting air moving through the property is an essential step for clearing out these smells and preventing damp or mold problems from getting worse.
Opening all the windows and doors for several days running helps of course, but you might also need fans or dehumidifiers to really get the air circulating properly. Fresh air can help improve how the space feels and whether you can work comfortably while you’re doing renovations or cleaning., though be sure to have the walls and fittings like wooden stair banisters inspected as well, you don’t want to buy a house with rot.
With this advice, you’re sure to better repair a house internally, even if the prior owner had a tough job doing so.
