Living in an older house in Halifax, Nova Scotia can be a great experience.
Most of our homes have more character and don’t look
just like every other house in the neighborhood. Most of our older homes are located in desirable locations, close to downtown Halifax, downtown Dartmouth. There are more mature trees, universities, restaurants etc. There are compromises however and a renovation or remodel can help. We at Case Handyman and Remodeling of Halifax see first hand how the right renovation can transform the way people live in these older Halifax homes.
At some point, though, you may think about making
the rooms bigger, bringing in more light, or doing
a bathroom or kitchen renovation project.
Here are some things to
consider :
Evaluate the house: Have experts examine
the plumbing, electrical system, and structure. You will probably need to upgrade the electrical
system at the very least, but you should understand what other changes you will need to make.
Consider the walls: Many walls in older homes are load bearing because builders
couldn’t easily support larger spaces. Load bearing walls can be removed, but the building still needs to be supported. Engineering may need to be done to verify what needs to heppen to support these changes.
Plan for the exterior: If you’re designing an addition, be sure that it ties in with the
rest of the house. You don’t want something that sticks out like a sore thumb. Sometimes you
can use modern materials, but make sure the architectural details remain consistent. Most Halifax neighbourhoods have a unique character and this should be preserved. Not only
will this help to preserve the house’s character, it will ensure that it remains attractive to future
old house buyers.
Interior: Preserve as many of the original details – molding, hardware, carving, stenciling –
as you can. Many of older Halifax homes have these unique features. The remodeled part of the house should echo these little touches. Focus on using similar materials, colors, and construction techniques. See how many parts of the original house
you can keep. Repair vintage interior doors. Repair and refinish damaged floors. And reglaze that claw-footed tub!
Our Case Handyman and Remodeling office in Halifax uses a kitchen and bath designer to help homeowners select kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, color and material choices etc.
More modern living areas might be incorporated as well, such as a home office, a kids playroom, or a home office.
Energy Efficiency: Most older houses aren’t very energy efficient, but a renovation project
gives you the opportunity to change that. See where you have insulation, if any, and plan to add
more. There are many options available and government incentives that can lower your costs. Look into replacing windows and exterior doors with more energy efficient models.
Design and Plan:
Time spent ahead of construction will ensure things go smoother during the actual time crews are building. Our Halifax office uses a 3-D design software that can show customers exactly what the finished product will look like before we even start plans or settle on a project scope.
Green Building choices:
At Case we like to be mindful of a balanced approach. There are many material and design options available without a compromise on the building’s performance or additional cost to the homeowner.
Visit Case Handyman and Remodeling of Halifax online at Halifax.CaseRemodeling.com or call us at (902) 454-2273
