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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to say no to dh dream house?

168 replies

BakerBear · 29/09/2017 22:33

We are first time buyers. We currently rent and have viewed a house today.

Its £300,00 and needs around £60,000 spending on it.

Its a lot of money even though we could afford it. Dh really wants it as its been his dream to renovate his own home rather than buy a home thats already been renovated to someone elses tastes.

I feel that as first time buyers buying a house needing £60,000 on it is out of our depth.

I dont want to live in a bomb site whilst things are getting done and also once you start renovating you can find all sorts of hidden problems.

Dh wants to do some of the work himself but i feel hes too busy with work and then it wont get done but he assures me he will find time.

We will have to get trades people to do some of the work.

There is nothing in the area that needs work doing that is such a big house.

The area if great with very good local schools etc

AIBU?

OP posts:
Evelynismyspyname · 30/09/2017 14:41

My parents bought a dooer uper when I was 7.

They finished doing it up when I was about 27.

Lovely family house - kids long since moved out. Then they started changing the layout again to suit their new lifestyle as empty nesters. Took another 12 years :o But I guess they like building work!

On the other hand it didn't really matter... Its perfectly OK to live like that. Just know it may well not be completed til your kids are grown up and gone if you're living in it and doing it bit by bit.

Plumbers and other tradespeople are notorious for never finishing DIY in their own homes no matter how efficient and professional they are when working for clients :o Of course your DH may be different...

ScissorBow · 30/09/2017 14:44

Do it! It's his dream and he's prepared to do the hard graft. If it gets too much get more trades in and he cuts back on his non house spends to fund it.

happylittlevegemites · 30/09/2017 14:45

That seems pretty manageable to me. Nothing NEEDS to be done in order to keep you all safe.

Other than knocking down the extension and taking a wall down between the kitchen diner, there's no structural work?

Just do one room at a time. If you're renting, have a month's cross over and get someone in to decorate the bedrooms, make them FABULOUS. Maybe get the windows done before you move in, too. The rest can be done as and when. I think it seems realistic for amateurs.

Loopytiles · 30/09/2017 14:46

Your list will cost way more than £60k.

Loopytiles · 30/09/2017 14:47

Does it need wiring or boiler replaced?

deste · 30/09/2017 14:49

Would the conservatory be suitable for changing the roof to tiles. Friend had it done and it was brilliant, it only took three days and is now totally useable. Apart from that it looks not bad.

Original poster
BakerBear · 30/09/2017 14:56

Its totally liveable!!!

I didnt mean to mislead anyone when i said it needs work doing.

If you look at the front of the house you can see the black bricks and they feel very cold towards the rest of the brickwork.

I think im worried as we have never done any work on a house before and im worried that once we start on stuff then other problems will arise.

Also its also quite dark on the back due to the massive trees in the garden. They block alot of natural daylight in the kichen and two of the reception rooms.

The estate agent didnt know if a new boiler was needed or any re wiring etc.

And also im not sure whether im feeling 'it'

OP posts:
Original poster
BakerBear · 30/09/2017 14:57

The house was built in the 80s

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 30/09/2017 14:57

OP, I think that you need to keep looking.

Lovemusic33 · 30/09/2017 15:09

If your not feeling it then don't do it. You both need to be 'feeling it' for it to work.

I grew up in a old cottage which my dad was doing up, I don't think it was finished until I was 17, they then sold it. I do have great memories of sleeping in a mattress on the floor and having windows and doors missing.

Mummyoflittledragon · 30/09/2017 15:09

It's totally liveable. Only buy it for a good price. The worst house on the best road.

Mummyoflittledragon · 30/09/2017 15:13

Am I missing something? The house sold for £305 in 2006. It's still only got an asking price of £330. Unless greater Manchester has stayed static, it's very cheap.

thirtyplusone · 30/09/2017 15:29

The bricks are a damp proof course. They would have been installed during the build to prevent damp, not because of it.

It doesn't sound quite like the right thing to embark on at the moment. Do lots of research. Home building magazines are good and will arm you with knowledge for your viewings if you want to do some work. Knowledge is power in negotiating!!

Tealdeal747 · 30/09/2017 15:39

It doesn't need £60k spent on it.

You may want a new kitchen but it already has one!

When someone says 'it needs a new kitchen' I envisage a room with no sink, cooker or units!

Original poster
BakerBear · 30/09/2017 15:45

The estate agent said that the owner had de valued the house as he had not looked after it.

The kitchen is usable but i opened drawers and it is very poorly made so it would need replacing.

My hearts not in and i dont think we will be going for it.

OP posts:
GinnyBaker · 30/09/2017 15:51

There isn't anything obviously structurally wrong with this house. The shit conservatory will be freezing and boiling and pretty much unusable until you get a proper roof on it, but that isn't because its structurally knackered, its just a conservatory and they're crap.

Agree the dark bricks are a damp proof course.

It seems to me all the things you want to do to it will improve the property over time, but aren't essential (barring possibly the window replacements), and are cosmetic things that aren't to your taste or are dated etc.

FWIW I can see that this house could be lovely, but it seems from what you have written that it isn't the right house for you...I'd keep looking into you find a house you both love.

I have bought a complete do upper. I have a 3 year old. It is hard going. When DH isn't at work he is doing bits to the house himself, or getting people in to quote for work etc. This means, basically, I never have any help. I have done every bedtime, for example since we moved in a year ago. I have cooked every meal. I have washed every load of washing etc etc because DH needs to use all his free time to do things in the house. So if I hadn't have loved the house as well, I would be very resentful by now.

SquidgeyMidgey · 30/09/2017 16:01

Here is a link to the house...... wow, that's not what I was expecting. The 60k is just decorating to your taste rather than actual renovation. Its not rising damp, dry rot, missing floorboards and bakelite electrics! I would have no issue with that house, it's not going to be a building site.

coddiwomple · 30/09/2017 16:07

This house pretty much doesn't need any work done!
New front door is the existing one broken?
New windows as the double glazing as gone in most of them

but that's it. It's not renovating when you just don't like the colour of the walls! I would get the damp problem checked and get quotes, but the rest seems fine. If it's the biggest house you can afford, I wouldn't hesitate

Jux · 30/09/2017 16:09

I'd be happy to live in it as it is! It looks to be in better nick than my house Grin

Original poster
BakerBear · 30/09/2017 16:22

Its a wreak in my eyes! Grin

Maybe i havent lived!!

OP posts:
reetgood · 30/09/2017 16:22

You're not feeling it? A lot of work for not feeling it!

Garden is partially solved with lopping trees but that's an additional expense. Also, what are they blocking/ which way does the garden face. If north will always be a bit chilly.;

Keep looking. Sounds like it's optimistically priced so not going anywhere..

To be fair, our house was one of many we viewed and it wasn't an 'I love it' house. But it's got a good feel and I love bringing it out from under the crazy.

If you are interested, view with someone who can give you better quotes and structural context. My dads an architect so I got him to confirm any buildings stuff.

Original poster
BakerBear · 30/09/2017 16:22

Wreck*

OP posts:
Brunhildafair · 30/09/2017 16:27

I was expecting a wreck ! That is perfectly liveable,just needs a good clean and quick interior paint to brighten it up. In my opinion if its where you want to be,then go for it.. Its always a good idea to move in and give yourselves 6 months to get the feel of the place. Being too hasty and going in 'all guns blazing 'isn't always a good plan ...you may well find that thoughts change after a while and early mistakes are too expensive to rectify. Worth a twirl !

lozzylizzy · 30/09/2017 16:34

We are living in a semi detached building site. We have rewired, properly supported a chimney properly that was taken out and dangerously supported (think - a spirit level was involved!) New bolier etc then its plastering, removing walls, adding walls and new kitchen etc....my friend is properly renovating - all of the above but no gas to the house!!!!

We both have kids and have survived! Buy the dream house and do everything to your own spec! It is much more satisfying :)

Agree with pp that stripping woodchip etc is just decorating.

PickAChew · 30/09/2017 17:14

The only things that stand out to me as needing careful inspection on that house are the heating and electrics. Most of it is cosmetic, including the bright orange paint. The correct nservatory is crap, but a handy place to dry your laundry.

If you like a house with an ultra modern finish, then that one would suit it we'll, but it's a bit boxy if you prefer something with a little character.

I'd keep looking if it's not making your heart sing.