---
title: "Renovating an Old House: What to Expect in SWFL"
url: https://remodelbycuttingedge.com/renovating-older-home/
date: 2026-10-11
modified: 2026-10-11
lang: en
author: "Blane Perun"
description: "Renovating an old house in Florida: asbestos, cast-iron drains, polybutylene, electrical panels, wind code and the FEMA 50% rule explained by a local GC."
image: https://remodelbycuttingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Full-Home-Renovation-by-Cutting-Edge-Bonita-Springs-4-1024x572.webp
word_count: 870
---

# Renovating an Old House: What to Expect in SWFL

![Renovating an Old House What to Expect in SWFL by Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath](https://remodelbycuttingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Full-Home-Renovation-by-Cutting-Edge-Bonita-Springs-4-scaled.webp)Full Home Renovation · Bonita Springs & Naples
# Renovating an Old HouseWhat to Expect in SWFL
Design VisitFreeLiDAR scan and photo-real 3D renderPricingFixedOne contract before work startsBuilt ByOur CrewsLicensed Florida GC, 500+ SWFL remodels
By **Blane Perun**, Owner · Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath·20 years property management · 500+ SWFL remodels · Updated October 2026

The short answer
Renovating an older house means planning for what you cannot see as well as what you want to change. In Southwest Florida homes built from the 1970s through the 1990s, the usual surprises are popcorn ceilings that may contain asbestos, failing cast-iron drain lines, polybutylene water pipes, outdated electrical panels, and windows or roofs that no longer meet current wind code. A good renovation tests and inspects first, budgets for those systems, and then moves walls and updates finishes on a solid foundation.

[Part of our Full Home Renovation guide →](/home-renovations-bonita/)

![Older Bonita Springs home during full renovation by Cutting Edge](https://remodelbycuttingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Full-Home-Renovation-by-Cutting-Edge-Bonita-Springs-1-scaled.webp)Full Home Renovation · Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath

## What Hidden Issues Do Older Homes Have?
Popcorn ceilings applied before the mid-1980s can contain asbestos, so they should be tested before anyone scrapes them; if positive, removal is handled by a licensed abatement contractor. Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint under newer coats. Cast-iron drain lines, common in older slab homes, corrode from the inside and can crack under the floor, which shows up during a camera inspection. Polybutylene supply pipe, gray plastic used roughly from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, is known for failing and is often a concern for insurers.

Electrical systems deserve the same scrutiny. Some brands of older panels, including Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco, have well-documented reliability concerns, and many insurers ask about them. Homes from the late 1960s and early 1970s may have aluminum branch wiring that needs remediation. Older homes also tend to have undersized service for modern kitchens, air conditioning and EV chargers. Once these systems are sorted, the visible work can begin: opening walls, relocating the kitchen, enlarging the primary bath and updating flooring, doors and trim throughout.

| Issue | Typical era | What to do |
| ----- | ----------- | ---------- |
| Popcorn ceilings | Before the mid-1980s | Test for asbestos before removal |
| Lead paint | Before 1978 | Test and use lead-safe work practices |
| Cast-iron drain lines | Common in older slab homes | Camera inspection, line or replace |
| Polybutylene water pipe | About late 1970s to mid-1990s | Repipe with PEX or copper |
| Problem electrical panels | Federal Pacific, Zinsco eras | Replace panel, check service size |
| Aluminum branch wiring | About mid-1960s to mid-1970s | Remediate connections or rewire |

Plan Your *Renovation.*
See how we handle full home renovations, from structural changes and engineering to permits and final finishes.

[See Full Renovations →](/home-renovations-bonita/)[Set an Appointment](/contact/)

## What Changes in Southwest Florida Homes?
Florida's building code changed significantly after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and the statewide Florida Building Code took effect in 2002. Homes built before then often have roofs, windows, doors and connections that do not meet current wind requirements. Insurers commonly ask for a four-point inspection on older homes and a wind mitigation report can lower premiums when roof straps, impact openings and roof deck attachment are upgraded. Replacing openings with impact-rated windows and doors during a renovation is usually the best time to do it.

In flood zones, the FEMA 50 percent rule is the key constraint. If the cost of improvements or repairs reaches half the structure's market value, the entire home may need to be brought into compliance with current flood rules, which can mean elevating the house. Lee County, Collier County, the City of Bonita Springs and the City of Naples each enforce it, and we plan the scope with that threshold in mind. Condo renovations also require association approval, and many buildings restrict work hours during the season.

![Renovated open floor plan in a 1980s Southwest Florida home](https://remodelbycuttingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Full-Home-Renovation-by-Cutting-Edge-Bonita-Springs-2-scaled.webp)Full Home Renovation · Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath

## Old House Renovation Questions

### Should I test for asbestos before renovating?
Yes, if the home was built before the mid-1980s and you plan to disturb popcorn ceilings, old flooring, joint compound or other suspect materials. Testing is quick and inexpensive, and a positive result means a licensed abatement contractor handles removal before construction.

### What is the FEMA 50 percent rule?
In a flood zone, if the cost of improvements or repairs to a building equals or exceeds 50 percent of its market value, the whole building must meet current floodplain requirements, which can include elevating it. Local building departments track and enforce this threshold.

### Is it worth renovating an older Florida home?
Often, yes. Older homes in Bonita Springs and Naples tend to sit on established lots in desirable areas. Updating plumbing, electrical, windows and the roof alongside the floor plan creates a home that performs like new construction while keeping the location.

Inspect *Before You Build.*
We scan the home, flag older systems and code issues, and render the new plan in 3D.

[Start Your Renovation →](/home-renovations-bonita/)[Set an Appointment](/contact/)

## Why Older Homes Need Cutting Edge
Renovating an older Southwest Florida home rewards a contractor who expects surprises and prices them up front. Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath, a licensed Florida general contractor in Bonita Springs, plans testing, plumbing, electrical, wind upgrades and the FEMA threshold before finalizing the design. Owner Blane Perun brings 20 years of property management experience to how we sequence older-home work. With more than 500 Southwest Florida remodels and nine Best of Houzz awards, we deliver a free LiDAR scan, 3D render and one fixed-price contract built by our own crews.