Buying an older home can be an enriching experience. Older homes and fixer-uppers are charming and have unique features that you won’t find in cookie-cutter new buildings. That said, old houses, especially those built in the early 1900s or before, lack some standard amenities and typically need upgrades to bring a fixer-upper into the 21st Century.
Now more than ever, your home must be a comfortable and convenient place to live. When I first bought my house, a 1932 build, I knew the workload would be extensive. But what I didn’t realize is that some upgrades would be more important than others. If you’ve been wondering what fixer-upper upgrades can bring your home into the 21st century, here are my top picks.
What Upgrades Are Best to Add to an Older Home or a Fixer-Upper?
Smart Thermostat
- Cost: $100 – $200
- Who should do it? You!
A smart thermostat can help you more accurately control your home’s temperature, and some thermostats even have additional sensors to ensure an even temperature throughout your home. Smart thermostats allow you to schedule your heating and cooling, turning down the temperature when you are away at work or sleeping. These features can be controlled by your smartphone remotely, including when you are away from home.
A smart thermostat requires some basic wiring knowledge and tools. Most smart thermostats have online tutorials with step-by-step installation instructions and a complete list of the essential tools you’ll need from the hardware store.
Smart Home Security and Automation Systems
- Cost: $500 – $650
- Who should do it? You!
Whole-home automation systems used to require extensive wiring and advanced knowledge of electronics. Some items you could buy within this price range are a smart doorbell, security cameras, motion-sensor lights, and a smart lock. Now, thanks to Wi-Fi and smartphone apps, you can automate your home’s lights, locks and even install security cameras with nothing but your smartphone and a screwdriver. Home automation can make your home more comfortable and secure and is an easy do-it-yourself (DIY) fixer-upper upgrade.
Dishwasher
- Cost: $500 – $1,200
- Who should do it? An experienced DIYer or a pro
You might be surprised to hear that many older homes don’t always come with high-quality appliances – or are missing some altogether.
One key appliance missing in many of the older homes I viewed during my house hunt was a dishwasher. Cooking without a dishwasher makes the cleanup as arduous as the cooking process, and most Canadians don’t consider a kitchen functional without a working dishwasher. A high-quality dishwasher will cost you between $500 – $1,200, depending on the available functions. Most department stores offer installation services for their home appliances, but if you are an experienced DIYer, installing a dishwasher is an afternoon project with a few specialized tools from the hardware store. I was lucky, and my older home had its kitchen renovated in the ’90s, which meant there was a working – albeit decrepit dishwasher already installed.
Bathroom Amenities
- Cost: $500
- Who should do it? An experienced DIYer or a pro
Nothing screams old home like an outdated bathroom. While a full bathroom renovation can be expensive and time-consuming, you can add a few small amenities to take your bathroom from vintage to modern.
First, consider adding a bathroom vent as one of your fixer-upper upgrades. Vents are not standard in older homes but help remove moisture from your bathroom, eliminating the musty, mouldy smell that can develop from excessive dampness. Second, consider adding ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets to your bathroom. Adding GFCI outlets is a little more involved and will cost around $200 when using a professional electrician. While you’ve got an electrician in your home, consider upgrading your lighting by adding a vanity light or brighter ceiling light. These few fixes will make your dated bathroom compliant with modern code.
Air Conditioning
- Cost: $1,000 – $10,000
- Who should do it? A professional contractor
Air conditioning makes your home comfortable in the summertime and, with many Canadians now working from home full-time, an essential part of a modern home. Unfortunately, many older homes are without air conditioning and, to add insult to injury, often lack the insulation required to keep heat out during the summer months.
While not essential in every part of Canada, mostly temperate locations like Vancouver, adding this feature to your home will certainly bring it up to modern standards. Air conditioning installation varies in cost, depending on the current heating system in place. It may be as inexpensive as a few thousand dollars or as costly as high four figures for a central system. This project must be completed by a professional, as it requires working with refrigerants and needs specialized tools that aren’t available at the hardware store.
Upgraded Electrical Systems
- Cost: $2,000 – $5,000
- Who should do it? Leave this project to the pros
Outdated electrical is very common in old homes, but it’s a hazard and should be replaced as soon as possible. Some electrical systems, especially knob and tube wiring, an outdated wiring system that can be dangerous when subjected to modern-day electrical loads, can be difficult to insure or require substantial insurance premiums. Upgrading a home’s electrical system is an expensive process that requires professional electricians. It is still worthwhile, as it’s often necessary before adding other electrical appliances like air conditioning, a heat pump, or an electric car charging station. In my case, I needed to upgrade my home’s electrical panel and wiring before installing a heat pump, at the cost of about $3,400.
Are You Ready for a Fixer-Upper?
Living in an older home or purchasing a fixer-upper isn’t for everyone. But, for me, it was an easy decision. I love living in an old home. I love the charming architecture, the old wood flooring, and the high baseboards. What I don’t love is the lack of modern amenities like air conditioning and a functional bathroom. Fortunately, you aren’t stuck with the home you buy, and you can make these upgrades to your older home, either yourself or by hiring a pro.
The cost for some of these fixer-upper upgrades ranges from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Still, the result is a rewarding blend of an older home with modern amenities to keep you comfortable and happy.
