Your top renovating tips!

[little_O]

Go to a vaccuum shop and buy yourselves a cheapie to use for cleaning up so you don't wreck your good one!
Get a lead test kit and test paint before doing anything with it!
When working out your budget - add at least 10-20% for unexpected expenses.
And what Divvy said!!

If there is lead paint what can you do? What era home was lead paint more often in?

Such good points ladies! Thanks so much.

Keep them coming!!

[LimeSlice]

Late 1970s and earlier and you are likely to encounter lead based paint, especially in anything pre-1965. There are regulation about how you can dispose of it too and some safety issues for pregnant women, children, etc.
Best to get some professional advice once you do encounter it, but you need to test for it. Things like dry sanding and scraping are going to be extremely hazardous, so do your homework.

[little_O]

Bought a lead test kit and the windows, skirting and architraves are all positive, but not the walls.

Thanks!

Anyone have experience with electrical and solid brick homes. Will trades charge an arm and a leg??

[Floweryfields]

I had lead in some areas of my house. Basically what it meant for me was that I didn't sand anything prior to painting. I purchased a product - which I can't recall now, (it was nearly 11 years ago) that I applied to the walls with a squeeze mop after cleaning with sugar soap. This made the paint adhere to the old paint surface. It came in a big rectangular metal tin.

[*Ang*]

I am joining this thread too. We have just bought a duplex pair which we are going to renovate, subdivide and then sell. I am so excited and can't wait to get the keys!