Renovators unite!

[OrchidFlakes]

We're seriously considering a monster move from a 4 bed to a 2 bed then renovating internally to make it a 3 bed and hope to extend.

It's in a conservation area so any extension will be prickly with the parish council and district council and I plan to speak to the planning department before we offer.

We only moved to our current house 2.5 years ago and did a full renovation so we know what we're in for but this is a bigger project. We're moving for location and can't afford what we would really want/need in the new area so this is our compromise (and pleasure - I adore renovating and property) plus we could add value and would have a budget of 30-60k to bring it up to spec. We have a team of trusted tradespeople and I'd do a reasonable amount myself too.

Anyone else undertaken big renovations which felt more like a leap of faith madness ? Anything we might not have thought of or advice?

[HooraySunshine]

I have a post about my experience with a recent move/renovation/planning application to extend.
A conservation area will be very tricky in terms of renovations/extension, but it's not totally impossible. Also, keep in mind that other than the parish and district councils you will also have neighbours to contend with. (and in my case, the neighbour's family, who live miles away, have become involved)
We spoke to the council before we made an offer and all seemed ok, but now that we've bought, moved and actually made the application it seems their les a fair attitude has changed! So beware, talking through a potential application with the council/planning department is VERY different to actually submitting a planning application.
I can totally understanding wanting to move to a desirable area, but not being able to afford your ideal home in that area. However, my advice to you would be, keep in the back of your mind that you may not get planning permission to make the changes you want. If that were to be the case, do you still want to buy the house?
Good Luck to you!

[OrchidFlakes]

Thank you sunshine! It's hard work being an adult sometimes, so much easier when it's someone else making all the decisions.

We're going back to see it again on Tuesday to be hugely critical of it and see what we think, particularly to your point of if we have to live in it as it stands, can we...

I hope your renovation gets approval