The Old House Playbook · 1-minute quiz

Three questions.
One plan.

Answer honestly — it takes about a minute, and the Kit will feel like it was written for your house.

Question 1 of 3
What's your renovation budget?
Question 2 of 3
How old is the house?
Question 3 of 3
What's the scope?
Questions answered: 0 / 3

Get the Kit — $9.90
Free preview · The problem

What This Kit Solves

  • "Where do I start?" — A 30-minute audit that tells you exactly what kind of house you're dealing with.
  • "What does it cost?" — A line-itemed 2025-26 worksheet, with the 20% surprise reserve.
  • "What order does the work go in?" — A 90-day sequence so you never redo last month's work.
  • "Will I wreck the character?" — Restore vs. replace rules for plaster, windows, doors, floors.
  • "Can I trust the contractor?" — Ten interview questions that filter out generalists.

Every chapter answers one fear with a printable deliverable.

Free preview · What you receive

The Seven Deliverables

Planning

  • 1. The 3 questions — water, systems, character before you spend a dollar.
  • 2. The 30-minute audit — 12 timed checks with dollar flags.
  • 3. Budget & reserve math — the 10-line worksheet plus the 20% rule.

Execution

  • 4. The 90-day sequence — water → systems → structure → walls → floors.
  • 5. Style guide — keep the bones, style the skin.
  • 6. Salvage & room priority — where money goes first.
  • 7. Contractor playbook — 10 questions, 13 pitfalls, change-order clauses.

Slides 8-20 unlock with the password from your purchase email.

Free preview · Real content, 3 of 12 rows

Sample — The 30-Minute Audit

The paid Kit's Chapter 2 has all 12 checks with dollar flags. Three real rows from it:

CheckWhat to look forFlag
Roof & exterior (5 min)Permit date 20+ years with 2+ layers$8k-18k
Electrical panel (3 min)Knob-and-tube or pre-1980 panel$8k-20k
Windows (3 min)Restore vs $800-1,200 replacement eachRestore

The full chapter is 12 checks, timed, with the "who do I call" notes.

Free preview · Real content, 4 of 10 rows

Sample — The Budget Worksheet

An 1,800 sq ft century home, professional labor, mid-cost region. Four rows from the full table:

Line itemLowHighWhy it matters
Electrical rewire$8,000$20,000Knob-and-tube before walls close
Plaster repair$4,000$12,000vs $12k-20k drywall gut
Window restoration$3,000$9,00015 windows, restored
Surprise reserve10%20%The non-negotiable column

The full worksheet adds six more line items and the region multiplier (0.8-1.3x).

The evidence · Free preview

Built on real projects, not theory

  • 3 case studies — tracked before & after, real invoices.
  • 14 companies & preservation experts — every price range checked against real bids.
  • 100+ owner survey — 93% said this Kit saves money and keeps them ahead of the contractor.
Get the Kit — $9.90

Field data · 3 case studies · 14 companies & experts · 100+ owner survey — 93% say it saves money.

Members only

Unlock the Full Kit

The free preview is over. All 13 paid chapters — the complete audit, budget math, 90-day sequence, style guide, salvage plan and contractor playbook — are behind one password.

Enter the password from your purchase email.

Get the Kit — $9.90

One-time payment · lifetime access · real 2025-26 US market data

Chapter 1 · Do this first

Where to Start: The Three Questions

Chapter 2 · The 30-Minute Old-House Audit

Part I — Exterior & Systems

Chapter 2 · The 30-Minute Old-House Audit

Part II — Windows, Hazards & Paperwork

Chapter 3 · Budget & Reserve Math

The Worksheet — 1,800 sq ft Century Home

Chapter 3 · Budget & Reserve Math

The Five Budget Rules

Chapter 4 · The 90-Day Sequence

Days 1-30 — Secure, Inspect, Stop the Water

Chapter 4 · The 90-Day Sequence

Days 30-90 — Walls, Paint, Floors, Trim

Chapter 5 · The Style Guide

Keep the Bones

Chapter 5 · The Style Guide

Style the Skin

Chapter 6 · Furnish, Salvage & Room Priority

Six Hunting Grounds

Chapter 6 · Furnish, Salvage & Room Priority

Room Priority — Where Money Goes First

Bonus · Contractor Playbook

Ten Interview Questions (1-5)

Bonus · Contractor Playbook

Questions 6-10 & the 13 Pitfalls