If you were starting from scratch what would you do?

[movingtokent]

We are in the process of buying a house that needs to be completed gutted and start again - insulation, plumbing, heating, electrics, windows, bathrooms, kitchen. From all of your brilliant experience can you tell me what you would recommend or to avoid. We do want to make it as economical to run as possible but do have the problem that it is in the green belt and an area of Outstanding natural beauty so have a number of constraints to it. So any suggestions very welcome. Thanks

I would start with the roof and getting water tight, windows, insulation etc, then heating and electrics.

Kitchen, bathrooms and decoration are all done after this.

Good luck.

We are green belt and AONB - what constraints are you talking about? We only have no extensions beyond 50% of the 1948 footprint and a local design statement that is not binding. If you are not listed,you can do pretty much what you want. Believe me, some people around here have! I would, however, choose roofing, windows and external doors as close to the originals as possible so you have an attractive house. I would avoid upvc windows and doors but you can have these if you like them. I would then engage a builder and draw up a specification for the work. Or a quantity surveyor might be helpful. If you are planning an extension, have an architect who will then talk through your requirements with you. Even if you are doing the work yourselves, you need a detailed schedule of works so you know what you are going to do in each room. Rectifying mistakes and changing your mind is very expensive.

If you install underfloor heating in a bathroom make sure it reaches the edges.no fun if the patch you stand in when brushing teeth is freezing.

Consider a utility room if you can. Great for dogs, muddy boots, soaking stained things etc ;-)

Thanks everyone. We completely renovated our last house so are happy with the process more looking for the hits and mistakes that people feel they made and would change if they did it again. I wish we had not put the boiler into one of the bedrooms and if we were staying here would move it into the bathroom next door. I would love somewhere for the towels to dry during the day.
Milly-I have been told I could need permission to change the windows and there are different rules for what is allowed under permitted development.