This Old House: Dorchester #1 (1Jan1979) A Tour of the House

The series premiere opens with Bob Vila welcoming the viewers to This Old House. The series will reveal the many steps involved in rehabbing an old house into a family home. Rehabbing is a combination of restoring and renovating, from demolition to decoration. This single-family residence was built around 1860 in a style that was very popular in the Victorian era. Real estate appraiser John Hewitt helps Bob appraise the house. They survey the condition of the exterior, including the mansard roof, clapboards, windows, gutters, garage, and foundation. They assess whether or not the features are worth repairing or replacing. The house is situated on a quarter acre of land next to Saint Peter's church, which was built in 1870, and across the street from the first meetinghouse of Boston. Thirty years ago, the owner, a doctor, built a new entrance, which is in good shape. Inside, they look at the condition of each room. The ceilings are in poor shape and will need to be replaced. The fireplaces can be cleaned and repaired. The woodwork all matches in the old entryway and can be kept. The kitchen is a good size but will need a complete makeover. The bedrooms on the second floor are large and sunny. The bathroom is a disaster. The third floor is partly redone, and a caretaker will occupy it while the home is being rehabbed. John appraises the home for $16,000 to $17,000 in its current condition. Real estate broker John Crosby describes the home's biggest selling points as well as the weaknesses. Down in the basement, John Hewett assesses the condition of the copper pipes and a crawl space under the kitchen. The electrical box needs a major update for safety. The heating system needs to be replaced.