How much money do you reckon this house needs?

[minceypie]

This dilapidated pile

We are not builders but I'm reasonably good at project management and we've done small-ish building projects in our own modest house and found them very stressful but ultimately very rewarding.

We have about €450,000 to spend so I wonder would we have any change left after buying this for €85,000 and renovating to a fairly high standard. There are no internal photographs so I'm assuming it's just a tumbledown shell that needs complete rebuilding.

First thing I'd be finding out is what "protected structure" means.

I'd go and look... You might find that the stairs, floors etc are okay. Do you know a surveyor who'd go with you and give you an idea?

You'll obviously factor in all the obvious stuff like rewiring, but don't forget things like woodworm treatment (probably be under a grand for a house that size, but probably more if you treat the outbuilding).

It could be stunning - in fact, it is stunning. If you get it, let us know how it goes!

It looks great, but it is under offer already. Assuming that's not to you, there might not be any point thinking about it? If it is to you, then being listed will have an impact on what you can do, but may be worth it!

There appears to be a huge crack down the side of the house? would it need re-pinning?

A protected structure is effectively a listed building. I know that would restrict us in terms of alterations but I love the style of the building and would want to preserve its character although appreciate that might operate to prevent us from having a lovely big family kitchen extending into the garden. We'd take proper planning advice before taking the plunge. This is all in the realms of fantasy for now.

Sliced, is it under offer? Where does it say that? [disappointed face]

If it's protected it will have restrictions on what you can do, materials etc. I was a build and design project manager/client. I would go view with a builder/architect who specializes in restoration. It looks solid but that sometimes covers a multitude of issues. Building indices are lower currently so if you are sensible and good at negotiating and stick to tight budget…ensure you have a contingency though.

It says under offer , in the blurb!

Ah, what a shame. I hadn't actually read the blurb on the link I posted above as had been looking at another agent's website where it doesn't show as under offer (yet).

Back to the drawing board.

It only says it's under offer; surely that's not as far along as 'sold subject to contract'? Worth asking the agents I would have thought.

True. I'll give them a call. At worst, they might put us on a waiting list.

is that Father Ted's house?

Take a couple of builders with you to have a look. See what they think and then add another 10% at least and double however long they say it will take.

You can build your own cheaper I should imagine. Always harder to fix something that is already in place than to start from scratch.

It does look lovely though!

Under offer doesn't mean that the seller isn't waiting for other offers... All your offer has to do is hit the sellers magic number...

I would assume that the lack of photos would mean the inside is a lot worse. Could be seriously beautiful though.

Pink Father Ted lived on Craggy Island, not in Limerick!

Also, you may want to check on the "receiver's sale" comment - could be problems with title etc., as a result.

If you're relying on mortgage rather than cash for the purchase/renovation that might hold up the sale slightly too - have friends trying to buy an old castle for next to nothing (due to a number of reasons - complete dilapidation and rights of ways needing to be purchased are the main issues though) and they have been unable to proceed past agreeing a price with the vendor due to the bank coming up with ever more requests for documents, assessments of one sort or another and so on - apparently four previous buyers got fed up with the headaches so backed out of the sale.

That said though - if that's the place you want, then go for it! (Sorry, probably not much help, I just love the air of possibility that hangs around old houses.)