3 Things To Do Before Renovating An Abandoned Home

Renovating an abandoned home is a major undertaking. A home that has been left vacant for a long time often has some major damage to deal with. It can also have some unwelcome guests in the form of pests! Getting rid of these pests can take more time than expected. However, proper pest removal is a must before beginning the renovation of a previously abandoned home. Here are 3 things that need to be done before renovations begin.

Get Rid Of Wildlife

When it comes to pests, many homeowners are primarily concerned with insects. However, in an abandoned home larger wildlife can end up moving in. Rodents such as mice, squirrels, rats, skunks, and even opossums can enter in through openings and cracks. These animals are already a problem in around 30% of American homes. Rodents can also attract bigger animals. Snakes, coyotes, and other predators often prey on small rodents. While many homeowners can get rid of rodents themselves before beginning renovations, larger animals may prove more difficult. Wildlife removal services should be the first step toward making sure the home is pest free before beginning the remodeling process. 

Check For Damage

The cost to repair the damage that pests can do to an abandoned property can reach into the thousands of dollars. Before starting renovation projects it's important to assess the entire home for damage. This will give the homeowners a better idea of how much repairing the damage will cost and will allow for adjustments to the renovation budget. Abandoned homes are also susceptible to termite damage which on average costs around $3,000 to repair. Rodents can cause major damage to walls, insulation, and electrical systems. Checking to see if these areas are damaged is also very important since some of the damage may be hidden from view. Failure to look for damage to electrical systems can leave a home susceptible to electrical fires, even after renovations.

Clean Up

Another problem with pests is that their droppings are left behind even after they leave the property. These droppings can pose a major threat to the health of the home's occupants. Clean up is just as important and pest and wild life removal. Droppings can be cleaned up by the homeowners themselves. However, if there are a lot of droppings from a large infestation, it may be necessary to hire professional help.

Renovating an abandoned house may be difficult if it already has occupants in the form of pests and wildlife. The first step is to remove the pests and the wildlife from the home. Next checking for damage and adjusting the renovation budget is necessary. Finally, cleaning up any leftover droppings is a must before starting renovations.