Avoiding nasty surprises in a historic home

Kora from Belmont asks:

My husband and I are interested in buying a historic home, but we have heard that we should be careful about problems that can be common to older houses. What should we look for?

Jane says:

An older house can be a very satisfying purchase. Some of these homes have details that are rarely found in newer homes. Learning the history of the home can be fun and interesting, and make you feel a greater connection with your new property. You are correct that an older home can also present particular challenges that you may not face with newer construction. Here are some things that you should be aware of.

The first thing that you need to look for in an older home is structural integrity. If you do not feel that you are capable of judging this, invest in a home inspection for evaluation of the foundation and frame of the home. Some things that you can look for include cracks in concrete floors and walls, sagging floors and ceilings, or anything that does not appear level.

An aspect that you will likely need to have evaluated by a professional is the home’s wiring. Electrician standards have changed over the decades, and the home you are looking at may not have wiring that is up to code. You can look at the style of the power outlets as a hint that wiring may not have been updated. If your real estate agent can’t tell you whether or not the wiring has been recently updated, have it inspected to be sure.

Plumbing in older homes can also be problematic. You will want to be aware of what plumbing updates have been done. One clue that updates may have occurred is if the home has more than one bathroom. Since older homes were not usually equipped with the multitude of bathrooms that more modern constructions tend to have, multiple bathrooms can mean that changes have been made. Look under sinks for signs of leaks, as well. A professional plumber can give you a better idea of what plumbing updates and maintenance may be required.

The roof on an older home may be made of materials that are no longer utilised. Water marks on walls or ceilings are indications that the roof needs work. The age of the roof should be information that the real estate agent can provide, but if you are uncertain have it inspected.

Each of these issues that are particular to older homes can be overcome as long as you are going into the purchase with eyes wide open. Expect to have to spend some money on renovations to bring an older home up to modern standards if previous owners have not already done upgrades. A refurbished historic home can become a unique and beautiful home, so go for it!

Jane Eyles-Bennett is the founder of Hotspace Consultants and has over 20 years of interior design and renovating experience.