I’m 13 years old and I’m writing a book for fun. My character inherited an old farmhouse and she wants to renovate it. Roughly, how much do you think it would cost in the end. And what would need to be done to make it livaeable. Here’s a few paragraph’s on it:
Kathryn O’Reilly’s green eyes scanned her new bedroom. It was old, and showed definite signs of abandonment. The ugly yellow paint behind the piles of moving boxes was chipping off the walls, wide, long cracks were forming on the ceiling, and the disgusting carpet had a large array of unidentifiable stains. The aged, green window shutters looked like they were more fitting for an old haunted house rather than an abandoned farmhouse, and she suspected that if she tried to close them they would most likely fall off into the bushes below. The room, as well as the rest of the house, smelled mouldy and damp.
She left the bedroom and sauntered down the cramped corridor to the kitchen. It had no appliances, just a few cupboards with the doors falling off its rusty hinges, and a long countertop made of cracked tiles and damaged wood. Like the bedroom, the kitchen ceiling had many narrow cracks. The hardwood floor was somewhat dented, with a few planks protruding out of the otherwise decent floor.
She then opened the door leading into the living room. It was a decent size, with ceiling cracks and old flooring quite similar to that of the kitchen. She meandered over to the decrepit fireplace and inspected the inside. The bottom of it had a layer of ashes dating back to who-knows-when, and besides a few chips in the bricks and stone mantle, it was in good enough shape. It had 3 large ceiling-to-floor windows looking out over the deserted landscape, which consisted of yellow and green grass, large black ash and apple trees, and a narrow gravel road at the end of the long, winding drive way. There were no neighbours for miles. Just the way she liked it.
Also, imagine that there’s a small bathroom with no toilet and a really old tub (2 bathrooms), and a total of 3 bedrooms similar to the one described in the first paragraph. And a big unfinished basement.
Thanks in advanced.
2 Responses to “How much would it cost to renovate this house. And what would need to be done.”
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That would be a very expensive renovation. She’d have to address the problem that caused all those ceiling cracks-crumbling foundation maybe. New carpet and vinyl in my 1650 sq ft house cost us about $3500 several years ago. If the shutters were actually working shutters and not just nailed up decorations you’d be better off repairing and repainting instead of replacing. Same for the fireplace, clean it up and have it checked out to make sure it’s safe. Toilets are less than $100 but you’d have to have the sewage system checked as well as plumbing and electrical. All would probably have to be repaird or replaced to bring them up to current codes. You’re probably talking $50,000 to 100,000 easy.
You did great. That was really interesting and descriptive. Bathrooms are anywhere from $2000-10000. Kitchens are $10000-20000. She can save a lot by doing things herself. But who knows maybe she will meet a hunky contractor. She needs new carpet and paint. Good wood floors can often be sanded down and refinished. If she has a good sturdy base it might not be too bad. The ceilings need plaster sounds like. I’d rip out the carpets. Maybe she has good wood flooring under there too.