We're considering offering on a bungalow but would really like to garner opinions on whether we should just run in the opposite direction.
The bungalow isn't pretty, is made up of 15 hexagons but is on a nice plot with good views and is not overlooked.
Our plan was to open up the living space to make a big living/kitchen/diner, convert the garage to a hall at the front and workroom at the back. We've hit a snag because we can't find plans for it. The build was a self build in 1974 - our Council has shredded everything. It's non-standard (built on a concrete raft) and has 15 conical felt roof sections.
Our problem is that all walls are stud, so probably has steels within it to support the roof (felt) but we can't find out unless we buy it, so it feels like a big risk. Additionally, our builder said if the supports are steel they're probably surrounded by asbestos (most homes from this era are, apparently). We've had a sample of the roof lining sent off for asbestos checking, waiting for the result to come back, but we'd have to factor in asbestos removal.
If we knew how many supports there were it would be easier to make the decision, but without even basic plans it feels like we can't really work out what would be a reasonable offer. We don't need a mortgage (retirement purchase - we downsized last January) and this is the first property that's come up where we've both thought we could happily live there.
Does anyone know if self builders would lodge plans with the conveyancing documents? Or is it possible to 'reverse engineer' and work out the plans that way? Unfortunately the lady who owns the property is elderly and has no idea about the construction, or the plans as they bought it in 1984.