Would you?

[1manwenttomow]

Would you buy somewhere that needed everything doing if you had young children and dogs and be living in it from the start? Is it a totally crazy idea? By everything I mean damp proof, new carpets plastering, kitchen and bathroom etc.

I would but I’ve already renovated before and haven’t had children. Currently 23 weeks. I would do it with young children and am currently doing with 2 dogs.

Depends on the house. We’re living with a child (puppy joining us in spring) in a doer-upper with a VERY primitive kitchen, and that needs dry lining, insulating, rewiring, a new kitchen that will involve knocking walls and extending, and complete redecoration. We’ve been in just under a month and have done a few things, but are also living in a fair degree of dust and confusion, and will be for the foreseeable future. But we’re ok with that. You might not be.

God no. We just renovated childfree and with somewhere else to live until right at the end and it was still a nightmare because even though the work is more or less complete the dust literally still hasn’t fully settled. I can’t imagine having to live and have furniture and belongs out amid the grime and debris and brickdust, let alone living alongside a building site.

We did in January - well, a baby, a toddler and a cat (no dogs!) we have lived here throughout. Currently having the kitchen extension and it's starting to take a toll - our downstairs has been knocked through so everything is muddy, dusty and cold. We couldn't have afforded a property which didn't need work in this location though so to us it's worth it. Don't think I'd do it again though.

I’ve done it and wouldn’t do it again. Everything’s cold, everything’s dirty, a lot of it’s dangerous.. can you get a caravan in the garden? There’s a point when you can’t really live in it, plastering etc, if it’s all done at once

Nope. Not a chance.

Yes, we are right now. Three kids Inc a toddler plus a dog.

We have done it gradually though to be fair, damp proofing,plastering first. Then new bathroom. Now on the massive extension. It is annoying and a bit cramped right now, and there will be about a month when we have to move out as they knock through etc. But it is and will be worth it.

When we started the kids were home educated so we were all around all day, that was worse.

100% no for me. Kids are exhausting, all of my time & brain power goes into looking after my two young children. We moved on Monday & that was bad enough. We are into a modern house & its been fab to just unpack & begin living. Decorating to do but otherwise!

I think some people are a whole lot more hardy than us & can suck up mess and cold and things not being very ideal/hard going for a while. We are both the type of people who like things to be as easy as possible throughout life. I think it all depends on your personality!

done it a few times, wasn’t a big deal , young kids and pets don’t mind as long as the heating is working I can live in anything.

We started this time last year with three primary aged children plus various animals. We fully intended to buy somewhere fully done but it was a case of heart over head. We've done most things ourselves and learnt all sorts. I'd happily do it again if it weren't for the fact that I'm never moving from here! The children very quickly learnt not to go through a closed door without asking.

Yes. I was pregnant with my first when we moved in and pregnant with my second during the works.

Tbh it's fine. Make your peace with it before you start. Accept that it's going to be a mess. Find a small corner that can be tidy as it will be your place of peace and sanctuary!

We had walls out, ceilings down, whole new floor built and no washing machine for a couple of weeks. I got them to temp plumb my machine back in as I had w new born!

If I had the finances to go right at it straight away, ticking off jobs quickly, then I'd do it. If I had to slowly trickle my way through jobs, doing them myself, saving up for things for months and years... I'd probably not do it. Too much long term stress. I don't mind it in the short term though.