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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Where would you even START with this one?

24 replies

OtraCosaMariposa · 10/08/2019 11:13

We're not actively house hunting but keep an eye on the property market out of sheer nosiness.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-63613836.html

This one popped up on a search. Ridiculously cheap for a 3 bed detached in that particular area. But on closer inspection it's practically derelict. No central heating. No insulation. Needs new kitchen and new bathroom. Replace all windows. Complete rewire. Appears to have damp.

However, there's the potential for an extension and it's a great area. DH thinks you wouldn't see much change out of £100k once you'd done everything you needed to and wanted to. And you wouldn't be able to live there when the work is being done.

Anyone ever taken on such a project??

OP posts:

Alliumlove · 10/08/2019 11:19

Have you read the home report to see what it says about the damp? It could be a fab house though once the work was done!

Hundredacrewoods · 10/08/2019 11:22

Knock down rebuild might be cheaper

Cyberworrier · 10/08/2019 11:22

Looks like a good project. I agree you probably wouldn’t want to live there while work being done as it would be freezing, if it’s got damp and with Scottish weather. Our house is fairly similar level of wreck but without damp and is 1920s. We have even living in two most habitable rooms, after having ripped out carpets And stripped wallpaper. Getting windows restored. Builder will re-wire, do plumbing and replace kitchen and bathroom eventually and we will have to move out. We have basically camped in the wreck for six months! No children yet so do able.

Cyberworrier · 10/08/2019 11:23

Ps have you had a structural survey done?

bridgetjonesmassivepants · 10/08/2019 11:29

Have you considered these two - they are within a mile of the other house but don't need anywhere near as much work.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-63987591.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64271940.html

KnobJockey · 10/08/2019 11:46

I don't think you could live there either, and depending on your extension, 100k could be right. For the work that needs doing, in this area, I would be expecting 60k-70k before extension- new damp proof course, electrics, boiler, radiators, windows, walls replastering, basic decoration, basic kitchen and bathroom. This is in Yorkshire, so prices probably better than most.

Original poster

OtraCosaMariposa · 10/08/2019 12:11

I've written it off as "too much of a project"!!

Will be interesting to see what the person who buys it does with it though.

OP posts:

flirtygirl · 10/08/2019 15:03

Get each trade in and not a main builder and that can be done for 35 to 40k. Not even priced up with a basic kitchen and bathroom but good brands from a plumbing trade supplier and a diy kitchen.

However if you have not done so before, a project this big will be hard for you to handle. You also need to factor in somewhere to stay.

Hawkmoth · 10/08/2019 18:48

It's under offer now!

WBWIFE · 10/08/2019 23:04

We have just bought. Abingalow similar to this.

No extension though but the reno has cost us 20k doing it all ourselves. New kitchen new bathroom with free standing bath and walk in shower. Plastering throughout. Salvaging what we could as in removing paint from doors and architraves and sanding staining and varnishing. Knocked 2 walls through and built another wall to extend bathroom. New flooring throughout. Paint throughout. New gas and water pipe molrd beneath driveway and connected to. Inside property as both were lead. New boiler. New radiators new pipework for radiators. New skirting. Etc

beanaseireann · 11/08/2019 09:19

Get George Clarke from Channel 4 to help you.
Mind you, your budget might double or triple but you'll have a great house.

ShirleyPhallus · 11/08/2019 09:21

Gosh those houses just look so sad. Not even nice enough from the outside for me to want to touch.

DonPablo · 11/08/2019 09:22

Looks like our house when we bought it!

Total fucking mission.... Never again, although we do love it (now!)

MoobaaMoobaa · 11/08/2019 09:27

that house really does have seroius damp issues.

whataboutbob · 11/08/2019 12:59

Damp damp damp. But I love the 1960s kitchen. It’s probably under offer by a builder.

Fuma · 11/08/2019 13:06

Housing really is crazy when people are asking for, and getting, close to quarter of a million for a wreck.

TurtlePinky · 11/08/2019 13:18

That house is a true shithole. The worst I've seen in ages. I'd only think about considering it if the area was nice.

Original poster

OtraCosaMariposa · 11/08/2019 18:13

It's in a very desirable area, excellent schools close by, and as you're in Scotland if you buy that house you are guaranteed places for your children in then. Whoever lives there eventually will be a family with children moving into the area for the schools.

The houses were build I think around 1965, so I'd wager that was the original kitchen. I don't think the previous occupants decorated or did any maintenance for 50 odd years either...

OP posts:

PickAChew · 11/08/2019 19:58

Looks like there's nothing salvageable in there and I should imagine that it needs more than decorating and a new kitchen. The plasterboard and floorboards, if not the joists, are likely to be rotten, the electrics will be ancient and I'd be surprised if the roof is watertight. Built in 1965, I'd suspect asbestos, too.

There's a house near us in a similar state and the guy who bought it has taken it right back to the brick.

Walking away was a good move.

TheCanyon · 11/08/2019 20:29

The gardens not in bad nick though, think the first thing I would do is cut the grass

Then enter the house and burst out greeting. It's a total shitshow. I just couldn't.

Bluntness100 · 11/08/2019 21:06

Yeah that's a big job.

On a seperate note I can't believe they painted the ceilings in the green and yellow rooms the same colour as the ceiling.

Do you know if it's been empty long? It's sad to think of someone living there with it in that condition.

Solina · 11/08/2019 22:31

We offered on a house in similar state a low (but fair) amount but someone else offered more to our surprise. We didn't want to raise our offer.

Ended up buying a 70s house, well maintained etc but since getting keys have found various things to sort out and what was going to be a bit of painting and new floors laid has now turned into getting electrician, plumber and a plasterer involved. Feeling very happy we did not end up going with a project house. We would have been broke for years to come.

Imicola · 12/08/2019 08:03

I agree it will probably take about 100k or more. Ours was in much better condition than this one, but needed much of the work you mentioned (only a tiny extension though) and it came to about 70k. Totally doable though if you can bear it! Not sure if want to do it again!

InfiniteSheldon · 12/08/2019 10:52

Thats the sort of house we buy and return to a family home. That would take us around six montgs doing majority of work ourselves and around 40k depending on survey. Obviously not living in it. Your dh is right upwards of 100k if you were paying and a lot of project managing and not living there obv

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