Costs for refurbishing a big house in London?

[Wiifitmama]

We have refurbed a couple of times in our lives, but only flats. We now have the opportunity to move to a big house. It's 5 bedrooms upstairs (4 big and one tiny), plus kitchen, dining room, living room downstairs as well as two other rooms (one large will be bedroom and the other small one a music room. The house is 1890's and had had the same owner for 50 years who just died. So the whole place needs redoing.

We don't know but are assuming rewording will be needed. Then refurb of existing kitchen, upstairs and downstairs bathrooms plus adding two ensuites where none exists. New floors throughout, build in some cupboards, complete redecorating plus changing all radiators.

I am thinking £50000 with a mid range spec? Am I way out?

Hm I'd budget £100k if you're talking not touched for 50 years

I'd say min £5k per bathroom.

More if you want Catchpole and Rye baths etc

Kitchen, depends on appliances costs and whether you use a designer or buy off shelf - plain English for eg start at £40k but Howdens etc are much cheaper.

It depends on the finish you want and your budget. Sounds like a lot of work but great if you don't have to live in it while it's being done

We did a 3 bed terrace in South London and have spent £60k+ including garden. If I had a 5 bed then I would be budgeting £100k, people are naive to how much trades cost in London.

I don't really get the OP's train of thought here.

The budget has increased 20% (from £50k to £60k) already on the back of a few comments which she doesn't fully believe anyway .

The reality is home improvements cost way more than you plan and, until you actually ask a builder from your area how much it will cost, you don't have a clue.

A 5 bed house which hasn't been touched for 50 years will gave a multitude of gremlins.

Make a budget- double it- then you won't be in for any nasty surprises.

As for the 'I think you can do it and I'm excited for you' viewpoint- marvellous- but it won't pay for the nasty surprises that will envitably crop up.

Wiifiare you thinking of buying this house?

IF so I think you are really in danger of overpaying by underestimating the cost of the refurb.