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Georgian/listed building renovators - gather here!

8 replies

bertandmarble · 05/10/2013 21:27

We are hopefully just about to complete on a georgian house that needs quite a bit of work doing to it. Needs an rsj to hold up the ceiling, all big sash windows are rotten, needs new kitchen, bathroom, flooring, decorating. Anyone else in this position? Have never owned a listing building using plaster and lath etc...

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OliviaBenson · 06/10/2013 10:33

I'm not renovating, but work with old buildings. You need to befriend your conservation officer- they will advise on what will need listed building consent etc.

Windows, you might be able to repair (and this will avoid the need for permission) - I've seen miracles worked on sash windows that were written off but a surveyor.

There's loads of stuff online- SPAB, The Georgian Society, Listed Building Owners Club.

Good luck! It sounds very exciting!

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bertandmarble · 06/10/2013 12:38

Hi Olivia, thanks for your help! So no need to ask permission to repair? Only to replace? I can see its going to be a money pit but I just love old buildings and their history. Someone has put some awful cement render on some of the Inside walls so that might have to come off too..

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OliviaBenson · 06/10/2013 13:19

If it is a like for like repair, you don't normally need permission, but you need to check with the Conservation Officer to be sure. You might need consent for the rsj.

Cement render- lovely!!! If you can restore it properly, I'm sure it will be lovely! Sounds like a good project!

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bertandmarble · 06/10/2013 14:03

Thanks Olivia, I will get in touch with my new best friend Keith the conservation officer!

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wigglybeezer · 06/10/2013 19:53

We are in the process of buying the flat below us in a listed building, we plan to turn it back into one house by putting back an internal stair ( it has an outside stair ATM). We decided to do it no matter what but I am a bit daunted about listed building consent issues, like a lot of period buildings it has some odd little interconnecting rooms and I would like to remove one wall! I have a plan b if I can't but would prefer to do it. There are very few period features left downstairs as it wa modernised by a DIY fiend in the seventies, I am hoping that means they will not mind me making some changes.

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bertandmarble · 06/10/2013 19:58

Hi wiggly, what area are you in? What period is the building? Sounds great! My local conservation officer says he will pop in and have a look and give me some pre application advice. Maybe you could do the same?

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wigglybeezer · 06/10/2013 20:24

I am hoping he will do that, don't want to waste money on architects drawings for something with no chance. Building is 1850, village in central Scotland. It is going to be tricky doing the conversion without going over the value of the rejoined house. We have had our offer accepted but haven't sorted the mortgage out yet, to complicate matters we are self employed. It is a bit unusual buying a house in instalments.

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bertandmarble · 06/10/2013 21:30

Ours has been complicated too... Can't wait to be in and just to have time to look at everything and think about the best way forward