Remodeling a Pre-1978 Austin Home: What to Expect

Central and East Austin, Hyde Park, Travis Heights, Tarrytown and the older parts of Georgetown, Taylor, Bastrop and San Marcos are full of houses built before 1978. They're well built and full of character, and they hide things that change remodel budgets. Plan for these from the start.

Lead paint

Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule, contractors paid to disturb painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes must be RRP-certified and follow lead-safe work practices: containment, dust control, cleanup and verification.

What this means for you:

• Ask every contractor for the firm's RRP certification.
• Expect plastic sheeting, HEPA vacuums and careful cleanup. That's what lead-safe looks like.
• Windows, doors, trim and porches are common lead hazards because friction and weathering create dust.
• If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing before work begins.

Asbestos

Older homes can contain asbestos in materials such as vinyl floor tiles and mastic, pipe insulation, some ceiling textures and siding. Disturbing it releases fibers. Before demolition, have suspect materials tested by a qualified inspector, and if they're positive, use licensed abatement professionals. Texas regulates asbestos abatement through the Department of State Health Services.

Wiring

• Knob-and-tube wiring (common pre-1940s) lacks a ground and degrades with age. Many insurers dislike it.
• Ungrounded two-prong circuits are common through the 1950s and 60s.
• Aluminum branch wiring appears in some 1960s–70s homes and needs special connectors or remediation.
• Small electrical service often can't support modern kitchens, HVAC and EV chargers.

A TDLR-licensed electrician should evaluate wiring before a remodel. Opening walls is the cheapest time to rewire.

Plumbing

• Galvanized steel supply pipes corrode inside, reducing pressure and causing leaks.
• Cast-iron drains crack and scale. A camera inspection of the sewer line is worthwhile.
• Clay sewer laterals can break and fill with roots.

Replace these during a kitchen or bath remodel rather than patching around them.

Structure

Many pre-1950s Austin homes are pier-and-beam:

• Floors may sag over time, especially under heavy new loads like stone counters, tile and islands.
• Crawl-space moisture can rot sills and joists.
• Termite damage is common in older framing.

Have floors and supports assessed before finalizing a kitchen or bath layout. See our foundation guide.

Historic districts

In Austin's local historic districts, exterior changes to contributing properties require review by the Historic Preservation Office or the Historic Landmark Commission. Routine maintenance and in-kind repairs are exceptions. Interior remodels generally aren't reviewed, but new windows, additions and porch changes are. See Hyde Park.

Budgeting for surprises

Energy upgrades while walls are open

Older homes often have little or no wall insulation, single-pane windows and leaky ducts. When you open walls for a kitchen or bath, add insulation and air sealing in those walls. Re-roofing is a good time to improve attic ventilation and insulation. In Austin Energy territory, check rebates for weatherization and heat pumps before you finalize the HVAC plan. See Austin Energy rebates.

Sequencing an older-home remodel

1. Testing (lead, asbestos) and inspections (sewer camera, electrical, structure).
2. Abatement or lead-safe prep.
3. Structural and foundation repairs.
4. Rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC.
5. Insulation and inspections.
6. Finishes.