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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to buy a fixer-upper with a 6month old...?

18 replies

Babypythagorus · 21/04/2015 19:11

I've seen a lovely house, in a great area, a bit under the maximum budget, a bit over what we'd like. Trouble is it needs a complete re-decoration (at the least painting/papering, maybe plastering) and could probably also do with a new kitchen and bathroom, and God knows what else (electrics? Plumbing? How do you know?!!?)

I'm quite rubbish at decoration and have a 6 month old baby, so would probably want to pay someone to do it...

AIBU to think about it? How much would this kind of thing cost? How long would it take? Aarghh...

OP posts:
dingit · 21/04/2015 19:16

Ds was born the week after we moved in. We've redone every room, new kitchen, bathroom, conservatory, and converted loft.
We've now been here 13 years. The answer is slowly, and try to keep a sense of humour!!

Original poster
Babypythagorus · 21/04/2015 19:18

It's so gross I don't think we could live in it and do it, would it be possible to get it all done quickly, while renting, then move in...??? Is that mad?? I really have no idea...

OP posts:
dingit · 21/04/2015 19:21

Not mad, if you have the money. When you mean gross, how gross? We lived with what we had. None of it was nice, but all of it functional. When the kitchen was done it took about 4/5 days, so not too bad. ( don't ask me about loft conversion, nightmare)

Original poster
Babypythagorus · 21/04/2015 19:25

Mould everywhere under the windows, wallpaper peeling off, stuff like that. Also wondered whether it would be quicker to do it all before moving furniture in...

How do ppl go about making a budget before buying? Can you take tradesmen to visits...?!?

OP posts:
DamnBamboo · 21/04/2015 19:27

We just did a whole house refurb! I have three children 9, 6/7 and 4/5 (during the works). It wasn't great... but now it's done! 8 months of mess and junk but it's done!

Big disruption as a one off is better than long-term disruption, where you'll never feel like your house is finished.

Littlef00t · 21/04/2015 19:29

If they're having trouble shifting it I'm sure they would be happy for one viewing to be with a professional, but only 1 viewing, not loads.

lertgush · 21/04/2015 19:35

Work done by someone else? If I was doing it cheap but fast I'd probably set aside...

Kitchen - 10k
Bathroom - 3k
Plastering - 2k
Wiring - 2k
Decorating throughout - 5k

That's if you don't need anything structural done.

Original poster
Babypythagorus · 21/04/2015 19:37

Thanks all, and lertgush - is that in London or somewhere up north where things might be less insane? And how fast would you plan for that to be?

OP posts:
YouCanButImNot · 21/04/2015 20:07

We moved with a 7 month old. The one we bought was disgusting and couldn't move into it so had to live elsewhere whilst it was decorated for us. We'd had to move out of ours on completion day, in snow! We just had ours decorated and new carpets and it took two weeks. We're having a new bathroom in next month and that's going to take 3 days. It was difficult moving twice with such a small baby but definitely worth it! Go for it!

geekymommy · 21/04/2015 20:14

How old is it? When did they stop using lead paint in houses in the UK? (Here in the US it was 1978) If the house is otherwise inhabitable for you, lead paint and old electrical wiring that could cause a fire would be the main things I'd be worried about right away. Stuff like new wallpaper can be done when you have the budget and time for it, ugly wallpaper isn't actually dangerous for you or your baby.

Crumbelina · 21/04/2015 20:21

I bought an absolute wreck in December - half the house needs knocking down and rebuilding, floorboards soaked in urine, not been decorated since the 1950s etc. Found in Feb that I'm pregnant and due in October!

I think we'll cope, lots of planning and taking it one room at a time. The good thing is that a baby can't crawl around for a while so we've got a bit time on our side. Good luck if you do take the plunge - I would! Smile

Crumbelina · 21/04/2015 20:23

Oh crap, sorry - thought you were due in 6 months! Lots of people cope and I'm sure if you do it in stages you'll be fine.

Kayakwonder · 21/04/2015 21:05

Had a similar situation and it REALLY tested my marriage- the daily stress of living in a building site was unbearable. If you can live elsewhere while work's being done I say go for it.

lertgush · 22/04/2015 01:55

I lived up north - I'd imagine prices would be higher down south. I honestly don't know how long it would take - it really depends on your contractors' availability, how picky you are about fittings, etc.

GladysTheGolem · 22/04/2015 02:38

We bought a wreck last year, We've 3 kids under 4 & living in it whilst renovating (moving out for big jobs).

We've spent the best part of 30k in 6 months (close to london). We budgeted for 20k, but more things crop up (rotten floorboards, blown plasterwork, crumbling walls)

I would only do it if you love the house, as it's horrible enough discovering new jobs needing doing!
It looks like a massive shithole and we're the ugliest house on the street but I love it,

How old is the house? Asbestos old?

AGrinWithoutACat · 22/04/2015 05:12

We are in the middle of buying our fixer upper and DC3 is only 3 months! I sometimes think we are mad but this is our chance to own a better forever home than we would otherwise be able to.

We need to fix some slipped tiles on the roof and cracks in rendering and then take care of the wet rot that they have caused plus the rising damp, kill off the woodworm and install central heating before we think about decorating. Fortunately the kitchen & bathroom are ok. Grin

We are in Scotland and had no issues with taking a builder and electrician to a 2nd viewing and arranging for a specialist timber and damp report to be done at a 3rd point. One thing I have checked with the various trades is can we live in the property while the work is going on and what impact might be to baby and pets.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 22/04/2015 05:27

We are part way through doing up our fixer upper and TTC. We are in the southeast.
So far our spends have been
Rewire, new rads and water tank 7000
Plastering and decorating downstairs, including shutters and flooring 1500 (we did the painting and removed the woodchip ourselves to save money)
New downstairs loo 1500
New front and back doors 1500 (ours didn't meet insurance standards)

We still have new bathroom, bedrooms, kitchen and landing to do, new internal doors to put in and french doors or bi folds out to the garden.

GloGirl · 22/04/2015 05:29

Sound like it needs new windows and about 30-40k spending on it.

You sound clueless so only buy if you can afford to live off site, you can't understand how awful it is to live in a building site unless you have some experience So plan to rent.

Put an offer in assuming around 40k renovations. If offer gets accepted do a full structural survey.

When you get a full structural survey (around £800) they will tell you in exact detail what needs to be done so it's easy to price work. Make sure you have an additional 10% extra cash for contingencies.

Renegotiate the price if you need to after that.

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