What does ‘in need of modernisation throughout’ mean to you?

[Pinkpanther3]

Hi all,

We’ve been to view a house, perfect location, beautiful house and great space. Advert states ‘requires modernisation throughout’. It definitely needs a new bathroom (think 80’s teal bathroom’, and could do with a new kitchen but I was planning to just paint the kitchen units until we could afford that. Also needs new carpet /laminate downstairs. I’m a bit worried that the phrase used by the agents mean it needs a total renovation! Do you think that phrase just means cosmetic work only, or total gutting?

It was rewired 10 years ago and has double glazing, new boiler fitted approx ten years ago too.

Any words of wisdom appreciated! Obviously would get a full structural survey!

I would expect rewiring, double glazing, new boiler, bathroom and kitchen to be from the 70s/80s and lovely swirly carpets. Boilers only last about 10 years now btw.

I would assume it needs redecoration and new kitchen /bathroom, maybe some electrical work etc but not a full renovation.

The house we just bought was described in a similar way and I expected it to need rewiring etc. but it turn out it was actually all cosmetic work, new kitchen/bathroom

As pp
Decoration, bathroom, kitchen, flooring & possibly skimming over swirly ceilings to make them smooth.

New kitchen and bathroom, new carpets/flooring, decorating every room. None of which is likely to need doing immediately except perhaps the bathroom as you said. People used to buy houses like this all the time years ago and just do them up as and when they can afford it. It's probably been occupied by older people and not updated (ie. painted grey with hard floors everywhere) so is considered disgusting😉

I would think it needed requiring, boiler & rads, windows, kitchen, bathroom, and general decorating.

A 10 yr old boiler might not have much longer in it.

It can mean decor is outdated and out of fashion or not the modern open plan style.

It could also mean needs rewiring etc. which is far more invasive and costly.

Rewiring not requiring

Thanks everyone! Ok that makes me feel a lot better. I knew it needed redecorating (couple have lived there 30 years and the carpets need replacing throughout) which we have budgeted for. I think I’ve scared myself by looking at some descriptions where it says the same and it’s clear the whole thing needs renovating! It’s definatly liveable, and the kitchen altho dated would be fine (would just repaint), actually quite like the white tiles in there!

I think I’ve freaked myself out that it’s practically falling down 🤦‍♀️

Generally it seems to mean liveable but not entirely fashionable.

Old wiring is not necessarily in need of immediate replacement, likewise boilers etc used to be built to last unlike the newer rubbish.

Our boiler is early 90s and the local chap says don’t even service it just fix faults as they arise. My grandparents is from the 50s and trundles on.

Going on your description it sounds like you could easily move in and do nothing more.

Oh interesting about the boiler, I assumed 10 years was good! The rewiring was done 10 years ago so should be good for a good few years surely?

Oh and radiators have apparently been replaced!

Yes, my first thought would be dated decor and wiring, heating, windows etc.

And/Or that there could be horrors if you remove kitchen units or wallpaper!

Its a generic phrase which can mean lots of things

Best thing is to check when you view it what the electrical unit looks like, roof with binoculars, that sort of thing

I dont buy into the 'boiler needs replacing after 10 years thing', my first property had a boiler from the 60s which was nearly 40 years old, I sold it 12 years later with the same boiler!

I'd expect to rewire, new kitchen and bathroom. New heating system. Decorating.

Dated decor. Probably an elderly couple lived there.

Usually means dated throughout. Often belonged to an elderly person who has now moved on.

From what you've added not much. Definitely things you can do as and when.

To me that term means 'untouched since 1970s/80s, yet in reasonable condition' - you could move in and live there no problems.

Not a burnt out shell but needing major work on floorboards, electrics, bathroom, kitchen , roof, heating system etc and we have hid this with copious amounts of white paint.😀

Rewiring done to the standards of 10 years ago will be fine!!

The wiring should be ok then unless you want to add something like an induction hob. Sounds exciting OP!

Ours was described as "in need of modernisation throughout" - aesthetically it's Textured wallpapers, artexed ceilings and plush red carpet throughout. 70s/80s light fittings, and a teal toilet set and pink bathroom. (With carpets in the bathrooms both on the floor and halfway up the walls 🤣). So we knew we'd have to invest heavily in a face-lift. In addition to this the original boiler (1985) was condemned within a week of us moving in so we've needed a new one, plus the windows leak so we've had to take out a loan to have those replaced. We could probably do with a rewire too but can't afford it so instead we're focusing on getting some of the less safe electrical parts sorted.

@SockFluffInTheBath

I would think it needed requiring, boiler & rads, windows, kitchen, bathroom, and general decorating.

A 10 yr old boiler might not have much longer in it.

Bloody hell, our boiler is 30 years old and still going strong! I’d think it needed full decoration/modernisation. No major structural works, mainly decorating.

Please tell me you’re not getting rid of the teal bathroom suite!

Our house was in need of modernisation but it had been lived in by the same single woman since 1946! The bathroom was the original 1930s suite and tiles which I really wanted to keep but the bath itself was about 30cm wide and totally impractical for a family. If it had been a coloured suite from the 1980s I’d have totally kept it.