House Reno ?s

[KerriMc]

We are thinking of buying a sidesplit that is in the neighbourhood of our daughters' school. Currently we are out of area as my parents live in that same neighbourhood and they care for the girls before and after school for us.

Anyways ... that is a whole other story. We know of a nice sidesplit that is coming on the market. It is a well built home as the original owners had it built for them and they were an older couple. Currently a widow lives there and is waiting to get into a retirement home. The house has a gorgeous backyard (huge) and that really appeals to us as we'd like to put a pool in.

So my question is what is it like to reno a sidesplit? The house is not huge and definitely needs updating. We are willing to put a chunk of money into this house as the location is excellent. We live in a home that is 11 years old and have been in this home since it was built. I like new! So I want to redo this place pretty much as soon as we move there or purchase it - also because the mtg can be done then to help us do this.

So to do this with a sidesplit would we add on? Could we go up or would that be odd? Sidesplits are not my favourite style, but if we can make some changes I think it could work for us. I just don't even know where to begin!!

Reno and push the back wall out to make bigger rooms? Add on going up? Add on to the basement too? Can furnaces be relocated in a house?

I'm sure i have many more questions but I can't think of all of them. I just need the basics and some ideas of where to look or where to begin!!

I'm rambling a bit ... very tired but trying to burn our cd slideshow for my kdgn's grad ceremonies tomorrow ... so I'm killing time here

thanks for your help!

Kerri

 

[Inigo]

What's a "sidesplit"?

 

[minniecarousel]

You had me confused with "Reno" - I thought you were talking about Nevada. I assume that you want to renovate a duplex? There is a shared wall?

You'd probably have to consult an architect to see the best way to add on. It sounds like you don't just want to update, but add on?

 

[KerriMc]

A sidesplit is a split level home. The living area (kitchen, dining room, living room) on one level. You go down a short flight to the basement, which is half the house, the rest is crawl space. Then you go up a few flights and it is the bedrooms and a bathroom. We call them sidesplits here ... not sure if it is called that everywhere or not!

It isn't a duplex at all. Just a single family home.

We do need to renovate but we need to add more space or there will be no point to us moving. I will go crazy!

We want to know where we should look for ideas about how to renovate or what to do. Are there websites with info like that? I've googled renovations and things like that but have mostly come up with sites about people who are advertising rather than ideas. I know I could visit an architect but I would imagine they are expensive and I'd like some ideas of my own first

I just wondered if anyone had ever undertaken a major renovation project or the such and if they had any good ideas or info! What we should avoid or what to do, etc.

Thanks
Kerri

 

[minniecarousel]

Have you chcked the HGTV website? I've never looked for renovation ideas there, but they might have something. Also - there must be a "DIY" website? Maybe google DIY, or Do It Yourself.

We had a tri-level house and had an architect come out and look to advise us whether we could add a full bathroom and bedroom on the lowest level (no basement here - just out to the ground level). It wasn't cost effective to add on to that one; & it would have been the largest house on the block.