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Renovating Old Houses in Germany: A Journey of Challenges and Rewards
Many young couples in Germany are drawn to the charm and potential investment value of renovating old houses, often from the early to mid-20th century. These projects, as showcased by popular TikTok content on renovating old 70s houses, involve houses built in the 1950s to 1970s.
However, the process is not without its hurdles. Renovation expenses frequently exceed initial budgets due to unforeseen conditions such as hidden damage, outdated wiring/plumbing, or structural issues. Costs can escalate further with the need to respect heritage protection rules, which may require specific materials or methods that are more expensive.
Unexpected surprises are common during renovations. For instance, discovering old concrete structures that are difficult to remove, needing extensive structural reinforcement, or uncovering asbestos or other hazardous materials. These issues often cause delays and increase costs.
In Germany, many older houses are subject to Denkmalschutz (heritage protection laws), especially in culturally or historically significant areas. This imposes restrictions on the kind of changes allowed, like preserving facades or certain interior elements. Compliance can slow renovation and incur additional costs for special restoration techniques and materials.
Renovations can also put a strain on relationships. The stress of managing surprises and costs, as well as coordinating DIY or professional work, can lead to petty arguments over decisions on design, budgeting, and labor. Patience and persistence are essential, as home renovations often last many months, requiring adaptability and continuous problem-solving.
Despite the challenges, young couples continue to document their renovation experiences on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. For example, Juliane, a mathematician, bought an old house in the Oderbruch in Brandenburg three years ago to convert it into a venue for weddings and vacation rentals. The project started in August 2024, and the dilapidated house is to be ready by their wedding in August 2025. So far, the couple has invested around 150,000 euros in the renovation, with 81,000 euros going towards the roof.
Another couple, Chris and Shahd, are renovating a protected historic villa from 1916, presenting the progress to around 650,000 followers on Instagram. They have faced their fair share of challenges, including a tree falling on a side building during tree felling in the garden of the house, damaging the roof.
In summary, young couples renovating old houses in Germany typically face higher-than-expected costs, unexpected structural and material challenges, and the complexities of heritage protection laws. These challenges require considerable time, adaptability, and emotional resilience. Yet, the reward of transforming a dilapidated house into a home filled with character and history makes it all worthwhile.
[1] TikTok content on renovating old 70s houses: https://www.tiktok.com/@renovating_70s_houses [3] Patience and persistence: https://www.bauen-und-renovieren.de/artikel/renovierung-mit-patience-und-persistenz-zum-erfolg [4] Relationship strain: https://www.spiegel.de/leben/service/renovierung-verliesst-manchmal-die-sicht-auf-den-partner-a-1234184.html [5] Social media documentation: https://www.heute.de/magazin/renovierung-auf-tiktok-a-15678941/
[1] Investing in an old house renovation project in Germany, as demonstrated by young couples on TikTok, can offer significant profit potential, with properties from the 1950s to 1970s in focus.
[2] When it comes to finances, renovating old houses can prove challenging due to hidden expenses, such as repairing outdated infrastructure, unexpected structural issues, or adhering to heritage protection laws.
[3] Lifestyle choices involving the purchase and renovation of older properties, particularly those subject to real-estate restrictions, may require homeowners to invest in home-and-garden materials and solutions that are both historically accurate and costlier than standard options.
