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Original poster

Advice !

20 replies

Esseyexxx · 30/01/2018 23:48

So we have been looking into buying a new build 3 bed semi detached for £239k but have seen a really run down detached that has been on the market for over a year at £200k so could defiantly negotiate an offer for cheaper, to do up exactly to how we want. My question is how much roughly do Home renovations cost? Eg new bathroom x2, new kicthen? Having a wall knocked through to make the kitchen/dining room one? What would your advice be, go for the small new build or this run down place and get it done? This is the property www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-47083428.html

OP posts:
BellMcEnd · 30/01/2018 23:49

Your link doesn’t work. Are you able to link the new build as well?

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Killerqueen2244 · 30/01/2018 23:55

It might have been stuck on the market for a year cause the owner won’t go below £200k and won’t listen to estate agent advice. What’s the ceiling price of the road that’s it on? What about neighbourhood/catchment area for schools? Are other houses on the road also run down? You don’t want the best looking house on the worst street!

Original poster
Esseyexxx · 31/01/2018 00:02

It’s on a really nice road just by the country side, it’s close to where we live now so the neighbourhood we’re familiar with and it’s a nice area. I think it was a care home as all of the doors are fire doors which you wouldn’t usually get in a normal house with a family and the downstairs bathroom for access maybe?

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BackforGood · 31/01/2018 00:12

I would go for the things you can't change. So, if location is good, and the space / size then I'd go for the one that needs work, even if you can't get it all done at once.
Does depend, of course on what needs doing - you need to find out what the wiring is like, how old the boiler is, what condition the roof is in etc. Decor is cheap, but some of those things come in more expensive.
Then it depends if you are able to do some of the work yourselves.
Kitchens are a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question.
Also, if you are a young couple, able to 'manage' for a bit in uncomfortable surroundings, or if you already have small dc or if you have a disability or illness, or if you are both already working 14 hours a day to make ends meet, etc.,etc.etc,

On the face of it, the one in need of doing up would seem a better buy. New builds always come at a Premium for the convenience. You will never make any money on a new build but would be able to on a doer-upper. Howver, the reason they come at a Premium is you don't have weeks or months of discomfort whilst you get work done on them, and a lot of people like that,

Killerqueen2244 · 31/01/2018 00:14

I did notice the fire door in the kitchen! Personally with what you’ve just written I’d go for the do-er upper, I’ve just moved from a new-ish build and there’s not much you can do to them that will increase their value radically. There will be snagging issues, the estate will be full of people parking on the roads, you’re paying for a new kitchen you perhaps wouldn’t have chosen, the garden might not have been turfed....

As for your original question, if you do really thorough research in sourcing the big stuff (kitchens/bathrooms) then I’m sure you could save a lot of money on the renovation. It looks cosmetic from the photos but there’s always something hidden that will surprise you. One thing that really bugs me in our do-er upper is the lack of ariel points (taken for granted in the newer house!) and will have to sort more internet connection points. In the scheme of things it’s not the most important job but just an example of an extra cost that you may not have thought of until you’re living in it.

BackforGood · 31/01/2018 00:18

Blimey, I've looked at the links now (yes, I know, I should have done that first Blush) - I wouldn't call that "really run down" - it looks good to move in to!
I'd go for that one without a shadow of doubt. In fact I'd go for it over a semi even if the prices were the same!

Original poster
Esseyexxx · 31/01/2018 00:18

Thanks for your advice! Definitely some food for thought there, OH is a electrician so will save a few pennies doing rewire if needs doing, luckily we are still young and in full health with no young ones on the cards which would make the work a lot easier Smile I agree with the new builds just for convenience, our current house we bought as someone else’s half finished project, we have finished it now and is up for £30k more what we bought it for and we haven’t spent that much on it which is a bonus. Think we may regret the new build as can’t put our own stamp on it so to say but thanks again good things to think about !

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Original poster
Esseyexxx · 31/01/2018 00:24

Maybe ‘really run down’ was a tad exaggeration Grin it’s the kitchen that bothers me most, id want to knock the wall though so kitchen and diner are one room, going to have a look and price some bits :)

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Killerqueen2244 · 31/01/2018 00:26

How long do you plan to live in it? It has loads of potential for you to go crazy in it but if it’s a steeping Stone (less than 5 years) it may be a bit too much?

Killerqueen2244 · 31/01/2018 00:27

Ps Plumbnation is really cheap for bathroom stuff! Wink

thisgirlrides · 31/01/2018 00:28

I'd be budgeting £5k/bathroom, £10k kitchen, £4-6k plumbing and electrics and same again for decorating. I'd say the doer upper looks most promising Grin

Original poster
Esseyexxx · 31/01/2018 00:37

We’d plan to make this our ‘forever home’ and won’t be looking to move out anytime soon if we got it exactly as we want! Thanks for the recommendation Smile, I’m trying to get OH to see it’s potential and switch from the new build Hmm

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innagazing · 31/01/2018 01:05

It may just be the way the photographs have been taken, but there aren't many radiators to be seen. Check that it extends throughout the house. Also, that the boiler is not too old and has the right capacity for the number of radiators you have.
Make sure you get a house buyers surveyors report before you buy. And make sure they comment on the state of the roof as repair work can be expensive!

Mamaohana · 31/01/2018 17:46

I would definitely prefer the older property. In a few years time the newness will wear off the other one and you’ll be left with a smaller house. With the older one everything you do to it will improve it and potentially add value. Plus it will mean that you won’t have to move again if you don’t want too, which will also save you money in the long run. it might add value to spend money improving the appearance from the outside, particularly by removing the ramp. however non urgent jobs might be best left for a year or two after moving in so that you can give them lots of consideration as you might change your mind after living in the space.

SkyIsTooHigh · 31/01/2018 20:36

It's not the prettiest house from the outside is it? I like that about it though. Is it an extension on the front?

Depending on your family plans you might outgrow the new build. The 3rd and 4th bedrooms are minute and the kitchen especially is staged with pretty small furniture.

If you are planning to stay for the foreseeable then kitchen and bathroom would prob need updating at some point anyway. Say 5k for a bathroom, kitchen 5-10k - it is highly dependent on how many units you have and what sort of worktop you go for - but even new builds will need decorating over the years.

The doer upper is the clear winner for me, I really value space. But mod cons and being ready to go appeal to lots of people too. And there's a whole bunch of people in the middle who would go for somewhere in between the two you've posted.

NurseryFightClub · 01/02/2018 11:35

The wall between kitchen and diner may be a supporting wall, which would need a steel, which can be expensive, you could consider putting the dining room and sitting room as one to make a big kitchen diner and then put big windows to the garden in current kitchen and have as a sun room? I prefer older houses, as new builds tend to have smaller room.

Orchardgreen · 01/02/2018 11:42

The front extension seems to have a flat roof.....could cause problems

KittyKK · 01/02/2018 12:15

I’d go for the fixer upper. You have a chance to add your own style to the house, will enjoy the finish and space and in the longer term improve the valuation/saleability of the property (over an already finished new build where you’ve already paid a premium for someone else’s spec/finish)

Almostthere15 · 01/02/2018 12:22

If it's a forever home home go for the doer upper. New builds rarely have potential to extend/alter dramatically and it sounds like you've got the time to get it right.

I couldn't get a sense of garden space, is that important to you? What is it that really appeals to your OH about the new build - I agree that it is cleverly staged with v small furniture. Snagging can be a pain but it is a relief having someone to come and fix things at no cost.

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