Having a clear idea of what to scrap and what to save when renovating a house can not only help you save money on your project, but will also ensure none of the character of the property, that may have drawn you to take it on in the first place, is lost.
While not all renovation projects come packed with beautiful original features it still pays to be aware of those that are worth holding on to, not just from a cost-saving point of view, but from a planet-friendly one too. Likewise, knowing when to dispose of certain elements can help ensure the structural integrity of a house.
If you have just taken on a doer-upper and are keen to save some pennies, as well as the character of your project, our guide is just what you need.
What to save when renovating a house
There is obviously a big difference between renovating a Victorian house and tackling something more modern such as one built in the 1970s. Not only will they each come with their own set of pros and cons, but they will also have different architectural features to consider saving.
In the case of some houses it is important to do everything possible to maintain their character and charm, while others have none to maintain.
That said, even where there is lack of beautiful details to look after, there can still be materials worth saving. Here's what the expert we spoke to recommended holding on to at all costs.
1. Original flooring
If you are lucky enough to have bought a house with original flooring still in place, it really is well worth renovating old floors to bring them back to their former glory. Not only are new floors going to eat into your overall budget, but, depending on the type of flooring you have, keeping them could really enhance your interiors.
"Try to save original floorboards, especially old pine or oak, as they have great character," advises Lewis Johnson, director at Cheshire Home Upgrades. "It's worth it to sand, repair and re-finish so long as they aren't rotting or infested with woodworm. Also, if they've already been over-sanded or they're really thin and flimsy then it's unfortunately better to replace them."
Restoring parquet floors is another task well worth the undertaking, although it can be a little trickier than with plank flooring.
Lewis Johnson is the director of Cheshire Home Upgrades, a UK home-improvement firm with over 20 years’ hands-on experience in renovations, garden buildings, media walls and patios. He pairs practical craftsmanship with clear communication and full project management to deliver tidy, long-lasting results for homeowners across Cheshire and beyond.
2. Staircases
A staircase is such a prominent feature within a house and, if it was installed when the property was built, will often add so much in the way of character – even if you are renovating a 1950s house.
"Well built staircases are expensive so fixing creaks and replacing a few spindles on the balustrade is a lot cheaper than replacing the whole thing," points out Lewis Johnson.
However, renovating a staircase can be complex. In some cases, it won't be possible to save the whole structure but, retaining what you can, combining it with new sections, is often a good compromise.
"If the staircase is loose or out of level then we would keep the handrail or replicate its style and rebuild the frame," says Lewis.
3. Fireplaces
Before central heating became commonplace in homes, open fires or stoves, fuelled by wood or coal, were relied on as a way of keeping their occupants warm.
If your home was built before the late 1950 or early 1960s, when central heating began to be installed in more properties, it is likely it will have had a fireplace, even if it has since been ripped out. If you do find an original, restoring a fireplace is highly recommended.
"Even if you're not putting a proper fire in there, some people like a fireplace for decorative purposes," points out Lewis Johnson. "Some homeowners remove them to make the room a bit bigger but I personally think they should be kept in place."
4. Period windows
Windows are such an important 'facial feature' of a house – meaning swapping them for something different can totally ruin its overall appearance.
Original windows won't always have been retained, but if you live in a period house with timber or Crittall windows still in place, window repair is almost always preferable to replacement.
"I'd keep windows and replace sashes, panes or cords if needed," picks up Lewis Johnson. "However, if the frame is completely rotten then it's probably not worth the money to keep maintaining old windows. In this case it would be better to do a full replacement with windows that still suit the property."
5. Internal and external doors
As with windows, the doors that the house was designed to have will usually be the ones that suit it best.
This is particularly true of exterior doors, especially when it comes to front door ideas. Swapping an original timber front door for a uPVC modern design will always look wrong.
Of course, some house styles, such as post-war properties built when housebuilders were doing everything they could to keep costs low, will have little in the way of decorative flourishes. In this case, it can be better to use the very plain form as a base on which to build something more contemporary.
What to scrap in a house renovation
Whether you are renovating a Georgian house packed full of beautiful original features or a boxy 1970s building, there will be some elements that it just won't be worth saving.
This could be as the costs involved in doing so are too high to make restoration worthwhile when compared with replacement. In other cases, it might be that they play an important structural role and to save them rather than replace them with new could put the house at risk.
1. Old wiring and plumbing
It is rare to find an older house in need of modernising that has up-to-date electrics and plumbing. In many instances rewiring of the whole house will be needed and, in the case of plumbing, new bathrooms, kitchens and heating systems will usually call for a new set-up anyway.
"Old wiring and fuse boards never work as well as modern equipment does," says Lewis Johnson. "Same goes for old plumbing and heating. Modern stuff is just better."
When adding new circuits, fixtures and fittings you might find that a new consumer unit and electrics will be a requirement of the building regulations too.
2. Worn out roof tiles
This is a tricky one. If you are building an extension onto a period house, or need to carry out repairs to the roof, you might well want to source reclaimed roof tiles to tie in with the originals. You do need to take care when buying salvaged roof tiles, however, as not all will be in sound condition. But how about re-using what you already have?
"Clay and slate roof tiles can be reused for patch repairs but anything damaged just isn't worth saving," advises Lewis Johnson. "A full re-roof would mean you can update your felt, battens and insulation all at once."
3. Modern additions
If you are buying a house to renovate you should expect that, over the years, it is likely that your project will have have had some upgrades carried out by previous owners. Some of these might have been done to a high standard and in a manner that is in keeping with its style – but others might have been a little more slapdash or unsympathetic in their execution.
"Get rid of add-ons such as like cheap uPVC doors, porches and flimsy stud partition walls," says Lewis Johnson.
Other misguided improvements often include fireplaces that look totally at odds with the rest of the house's features (the tiled 1950s design in our Edwardian house being a good example).
FAQs
How to repair skirting boards?
If you have original skirting boards in place within your renovation it will be well worth retaining them. However, in many cases, this is one area of a house that suffers from wear and tear over the years, so it might be necessary to carry out some repairs.
If you plan on painting skirting boards, you can fill gaps and dents using filler or caulk, before sanding and priming.
However, in some cases, where sections are too badly damaged or are missing completely, you will need to find a matching replacement. If you can't find anything suitable off-the-shelf, there are plenty of suppliers out there who will custom make skirting to match, although this will be a more expensive option.
Brick and stonework on old houses will often need a little attention when renovating, but it is the mortar that will usually require more. Repointing brickwork should be a job high up on your to-list as it will prevent water ingress from damaging the fabric of your home.
