I'm looking to buy a 1940s house in Southern California that's about 1100 square feet, a one-story with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It's got some issues like worn-out roof shingles, old wooden windows, and outdated electrical outlets. I plan to replace the carpets, deal with a popcorn ceiling, and repaint the interior too. The kitchen and bathroom are fine as they were recently renovated. I'm trying to figure out how much all these repairs might cost, especially since I want to keep everything under $50K. Any thoughts on individual estimates?
3 Answers
Honestly, aiming for under $50k is ambitious. The roof and windows will likely be your biggest expenses. You might want to consider doing some of the labor yourself. For instance, removing the carpet and painting could save you big bucks—like $10k on the painting alone! If you go for LVP flooring, keep in mind it can cost about $3-6/sqft if you DIY, but it's way more expensive if you hire someone. Don't forget that the roof could run between $6,000 to $10,000 depending on whether you need to strip off the old shingles or just add a layer. Good luck with your project!
It's best to get some quotes, especially for the roof and electrical work. If the windows are mostly functional, refurbishing them might save you cash. If you do end up replacing them, budget around $1-2k per window for good quality. Also, remember that some tasks can be deferred or tackled as DIY projects to stay within your budget.
I'm with you on keeping costs down! But realistically, it's going to be tough to stay under budget if you hire all the work out. You could save quite a bit by doing the painting and carpet removal yourself. Plus, don't stress too much about the electrical—an old home like yours probably has a breaker box instead of needing extensive rewiring right off the bat. Still, definitely get a roof quote to know what you're heading into!