Buying a fixer-upper could be one of the best ways for you to make money. That’s because you can negotiate an amazing price and repair the house until it’s in a state that’s attractive and that’s more valuable, especially if you do it right. You’re going to need to have a good plan that can help you pick the most important repairs, after which you can focus on those that aren’t as important if you still have time and money to spare. Have a look at some of the most important repairs that you’re going to need to make to a fixer-upper so that you can give it a brand-new lease on life.

Replace Smoke Detectors

The first repair that you should think of making when you buy a fixer-upper is replacing the smoke detectors. This may not be a major project in itself, but it’s one of the most important ones that you could ever make. That’s because it will help improve the safety of the entire property, and you can save your hard-earned money from going down the drain in case of an incident with fire.

That said, call up your local fire alarm specialists and have them do a thorough inspection of the home’s fire protection system. It may take as little as changing old batteries that no longer work or involve installing new detectors and more. Make sure that the job is done by a professional who won’t miss a single detail. You could also enlist them to help you with making regular inspections over time, which are crucial in order to ensure that your home is safe and protected at all times.

Repair or Replace the Gutters

The next important repair that you need to make to a fixer-upper is to have a good look at the gutters. There’s a good chance that they’ll be in a state in need of repair. This is an important repair to make because it can impact the safety of the entire house. The gutters help direct water from the roof to the drains, keeping it away from the foundation and driveway of a home. This shows just what an important role these elements play. Call a professional to have a look at them and let you know if it’s necessary to do a gutter installation or if they can be repaired.

If you’re going to also work on the roof, which is recommended to do, then it’s best to ensure that all the supporting elements are in good shape too. You can even pair these repairs together and have the roofer who comes to update the roof also work on the gutters. Once they’re installed and are in good shape, you should find out the necessary maintenance tasks that you need to keep up with. This is going to ensure that they stay in great shape for a much longer time.

Install a New Furnace

If the fixer-upper you get has a furnace in it, this is another important repair that you need to work on. Do a thorough inspection of the entire system so that you can fix it thoroughly, not leaving out anything no matter how major or minor it is. Look for a professional who will do more than simply repair a few issues. They should also be able to advise you on the best home heating oil or recommend suppliers and brands to you.

This is the main reason why it’s a great idea to find a professional who has a lot of experience doing repairs and fixes to furnaces in the area that the fixer-upper is in. This way, they can do a thorough job that will weather the conditions of the area. They should also be the ones to come over for regular preventative maintenance once the unit is up and working as it should be.

Repair the Foundation

Another crucial repair to make to a fixer-upper is the foundation. A good foundation repair service in the area should be able to do a thorough inspection of the system. They should know the danger signs to look out for so that they can tell you the right thing to do. Given the fact that the entire house sits on the foundation, it’s crucial to make sure that it’s in the best possible state.

Keep in mind that foundation repairs are typically quite costly to make because they can be very involving. For this reason, you should first have a professional look at the foundation of the fixer-upper that you want to buy, if that is possible. Once they give you a quote for the job, make sure that it’s reasonable as far as the price you’re paying for the house goes. You don’t want to end up practically paying for a single fixer-upper twice because that’s what it may feel like you’re doing if the foundation is in a state of serious damage.

Repair the Deck

Deck inspections and repair are the next thing that you should consider doing to a fixer-upper. The deck can add a lot of value to a house, but only if it’s in a good state. That’s the reason why you have to add this to the list of repairs to look into. Depending on details like the size and material of the deck, the cost for this repair can vary a lot. That said, have a professional look at it and suggest the most important repairs that it needs.

If you’re lucky, the deck may only be in need of cosmetic improvements, and these shouldn’t cost a lot of money to work on. Something like sanding down the deck and painting or staining it afresh can have it looking as good as new in a short time. If there are any structural issues, don’t ignore them. A deck that’s structurally whole but a little worn out is a lot better than one which looks amazing but can fail at any time. This is the reason why it’s a good idea to ensure that the deck is solid before you get anything else done.

Clean the Drains

While coming up with a list of repairs to do to a fixer-upper, remember to call local drain cleaning services to have a look at the drains. The best ones should be able to clean the drains of the house and get rid of any blockages that may exist. This is going to help you avoid running into trouble once the water starts to flow through the drains as the house gets occupied.

Drain cleaning professionals will have the right solutions and equipment for the job, so they can do it thoroughly and safely. Their services cannot be replaced by simply buying some drain cleaner, which may not even be good for the environment. What the professionals do will be a lot closer to preventative maintenance. This is the reason why you could even simply call a reputable plumbing service in your area. Ask them to do a thorough inspection so that if there are any major or minor repairs, they’re done. This can save you a lot of time and hassle down the road.

Have the Septic Tank Pumped

Closely related to calling plumbers or drain cleaners, this next repair is a crucial one to think about. If the fixer-upper has a septic system, start off by getting it pumped. Unless the previous occupants had pumped it shortly before you bought the house, there’s a good chance that you need to get this done before the house has occupants in it. This is because a part of septic tank pumping may involve a thorough inspection of the system.

Failure of the septic tank may not be something to take lightly as it can leave your home with safety issues in terms of both health and structural integrity of the house. That said, ask the professionals who pump your unit to make sure that there’s nothing else that needs work. Find out how often the septic tank will need to have an inspection done as well as some danger signs to keep an eye open for. This can ensure that you don’t have any trouble once the home gets occupied and the system is put to use.

Repair the Generator

It’s no secret that issues like power outage can be a massive headache to deal with. This is especially the case for big families or for those people who work remotely. In these cases, a functional generator can help maintain order and decency in case of a power outage. This is the reason why you should call generator services next and ask them to help you ensure that the generator works. A thorough inspection and repairs can help ensure that everything is as it needs to be.

Find out from the generator services if it makes any sense for you to do a repair or two, or whether it’s better to simply replace the generator. Two of the things that may make it better for you to get a new generator for your fixer-upper are if it’s severely damaged or it’s extremely old and there are better units on the market. Make the right decision so that when all is said and done, you don’t have to pay attention and spend more money on something that you thought you’d already taken care of.

Inspect and Treat Any Mold

If the fixer-upper you get has any kind of water damage, you should make sure that you get to the bottom of it as soon as you possibly can. Make repairs to both the structure and the aesthetics so that there’s no risk of a repeat issue with water in the future. One of the main complications that come with water damage is mold. This is because mold thrives in humid areas and it can grow and spread quite fast. As such, if there’s any sign of mold in the fixer-upper, look for a mold remediation service to help you get rid of mold permanently.

The remediation may be extensive or minor, depending on the spread of the mold in your house. This is something that can be decided by the experts once they do a thorough inspection. Don’t hesitate to get rid of soft boards and other elements that may be ravaged by mold. The main aim should be to make sure that you’re not likely to leave any spores that will cause health issues and problems for the house down the road for those who occupy the house.

Repair the Driveway

The final repair in this guide that you should work on for a fixer-upper is the driveway. This is an important one to do because of the fact that the driveway can impact the curb appeal significantly. Its state may also impact the safety and comfort of people living in the house. This is because massive cracks and large holes are tripping hazards and they could also damage vehicles that are driven over them. A damaged driveway could also affect the structural integrity of the rest of the house, and this is the reason why you need to make sure that it’s in the best possible state.

If the driveway is made of concrete, then you need to call concrete driveway contractors to have a good look at it and repair it. Keep in mind that you need to call them in the right season so that things like temperature and humidity don’t impact the final outcome. All the same, professionals should let you know if they can work on it successfully or not. That’s why you should look for seasoned professionals who have a reputation to maintain, rather than people just trying to make some money fast. When all is said and done, you should know about any maintenance tasks and durations that will help you keep the driveway functioning optimally.

These are some of the important repairs that you’ll need to work on in a fixer-upper. They can impact the safety and comfort of anyone who occupies the house, as well as the actual value of the house. Remember to always work with professionals in order to make sure that you get the job done well.