Quick answer: Older Greeley homes often hide outdated wiring, galvanized or cast-iron plumbing, undersized framing, and in houses built before 1978, lead paint. Plan a contingency in your budget, test for lead and asbestos before demolition, and hire a licensed general contractor who pulls permits, because opened walls are when these problems get fixed properly.
Why Older Homes Need a Different Plan
Greeley has a lot of character homes, from early 1900s houses near downtown to mid-century ranches. They are solid houses, but they were built to codes that are decades old. A remodel opens walls that have been closed for 50 years or more, and what is behind them sets the real scope of the job.
What We Commonly Find
- Outdated wiring: ungrounded circuits, cloth-insulated wire, or too few circuits for a modern kitchen.
- Old plumbing: galvanized steel supply lines that restrict flow and corrode, and cast-iron drains near the end of their life.
- Framing issues: undersized joists, notched beams, or walls removed by a previous owner without a proper header.
- Lead paint: common in homes built before 1978.
- Asbestos: possible in old flooring, joint compound, ceiling texture, pipe insulation and siding.
- Little or no insulation in exterior walls.
Lead and Asbestos: Test Before You Tear Out
Federal EPA rules require renovation work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 homes to follow lead-safe work practices. Suspect asbestos materials should be tested by a qualified lab before demolition, and removed by a licensed abatement contractor if positive. Testing first protects your family and keeps the schedule from stopping mid-demo.
Budgeting for the Unknown
We recommend a contingency for any older home remodel. If it is not needed, you keep it. If we open a wall and find a problem, there is money to fix it right instead of covering it back up.
We handle house remodeling in Greeley, from kitchens and bathrooms to whole-house updates, porches and outdoor kitchens. See our porch contractor page for Greeley for exterior projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remodel in Greeley?
Structural changes, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work require City of Greeley permits. Cosmetic work like paint usually does not.
Should I test for lead paint before remodeling?
Yes, if your home was built before 1978 and the work will disturb painted surfaces. EPA lead-safe work practices apply.
How much contingency should I plan for an older home?
It depends on the age and condition of the house and how much will be opened up. We discuss a contingency amount with every older-home bid.
Can you update wiring and plumbing during a remodel?
Yes. Open walls are the best time to replace old wiring and pipes, with permits and inspections.
Remodeling an Older Home in Greeley?
Josh Brooks Construction and Renovation Inc. is a licensed general contractor in Longmont with 30 years in construction, serving 46+ Front Range cities. We plan for what is behind the walls and give you a fixed-price written bid. Call 720-828-7997 or text 720-453-5095.
Licensed. Local. Not a storm chaser.
