Posted on January 9th, 2023

Investing in a 1970s home may sound like a dream—is there anyone who cannot find beauty in stained-glass windows and a historic fireplace? But most old homes come with a fair share of repairs. The best way is to follow well-being trends in the home to ensure a comfortable, functional home.

According to the 2022 U.S. Houzz & Home Study, the age of a home impacts the remodeling projects homeowners prioritize and how much money they might spend. For example, black windows were extremely common 100 years ago. So to determine a budget for renovations, first look at the age of your home. This means planning upgrades based on when the house was originally built and the renovations that have taken place since then. Each group in the study invested a median amount of $20,000 on remodeling.

Do you own or want to buy an older home? Here are some things to know about renovations by home age over the years.

Renovations by Home Age Throughout the Years

Homes Built Before 1960

Did you know that houses built before 1960 account for 25% of home upgrades? These homes were also relatively smaller than those built in later years, with 51% of them falling below 2000 square feet, although 92% of homes were single-family detached houses.

Most homeowners during this era would hire professionals to renovate their homes. Statistics show that 28% hired painters, 29% hired general contractors, 33% percent hired air conditioning specialists, 37% hired plumbers, and 43% hired electricians.

Electrical appliances had just been introduced in this era. Hence, two in five homeowners relied on electricians to install electrical outlets around their homes.

Remodeling trends before 1960 show that the national median for home upgrades was $18,000. Renovations for older homes during this time focused on four areas: outdoor, home exterior, interior rooms, and home systems.

Homes Built Between 1961-1980

Homes built between 1961 and 1980 placed special importance on interior spaces, albeit the smallest compared to other eras. It is no wonder that 73% of homes during this time made interior rooms the center of attention.

Moreover, even though old house renovations were common, many people also started renovating kitchens and bathrooms, along with living rooms, bedrooms, and windows. Here are 12 inspirational window design ideas that can help gauge the changes people like making around their houses. Homeowners commonly employ professional electricians and plumbers to renovate their homes and make them more functional.

The national median spent on remodeling during this era was $20,000 instead of $18,000 during the pre-1960s.

Homes Built Between 1981 and 2000

Renovations for older homes jumped to 29% during this era as more people started focusing on functionality. Moreover, homeowners (92%) hired more professional help than in any other era. Also, upgrades to interior rooms were more popular than ever, as everyone wanted their house to look modern and well-kept.

Homes Built in 2001 or Later

Remodeling trends show homes in this era are more focused on luxury projects like security, flooring, and home automation. Another thing to note is that after 2001, homeowners (59%) started to work on outdoor projects as they included irrigation and lighting facilities in their patios and yards.

During the early 2000s, home security systems became more popular, and wireless features started to take the world by storm. The need for plumbers, electricians, and heating/air conditioning professionals also increased.

Even though big homes have become more popular since 2001, the median renovation amount spent on homes is the lowest compared to other eras ($15,000).

Ready to Renovate?

Figuring out how and what to renovate your house is not easy. However, looking at renovation trends by home age is a great way to help you determine the approximate renovation cost and whether your budget allows it.

Of course, renovations can be tricky, but with the correct help and guidance, you should be able to build the home of your dreams. It is no secret that, in most cases, renovating a home can be more cost-effective than buying a brand-new property.

If your family size has increased over the years or your needs have changed, and you want to make your home more functional for modern times, renovation is always a brilliant idea. When you are ready for replacement windows in San Francisco Bay Area, the expert advice of the Window and Door Shop of San Francisco will provide you with the best Marvin window and door products and services that will bring your dream home to reality.

The Window and Door Shop of San Francisco. You can call us at (415) 282-6192, and we can talk to you about the process and what windows might suit your home in the best possible manner. You can also visit our showroom at 185 Industrial Street, San Francisco, CA 94124, to have a look around and gain inspiration for the project ahead.