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Original poster

200 year old property

13 replies

Slipslops · 04/10/2023 13:18

I’ve had 2 viewings on a 200 year old property in the west of the country and I love it! The location for us is fantastic and it has a bit of land with it BUT …

It needs total renovation and is not habitable as is. It has no DPC, needs new roof, RSJs, re-wiring, plumbing, new kitchen, bathrooms, 2700sqm, you name it it needs it. It is a huge project. Builder has been extremely vague in terms of estimate and won’t commit to anything, I’ve not had a structural engineer in. What would you budget for total renovation? I’ve never done a project on this scale before so am thinking with my head it’s too big to take on but my heart wants to …

Any advice from expert developers, please ?

OP posts:
Bleepbloopbluurp · 04/10/2023 13:43

Are you sure 2700 square metres? That is HUGE. I wouldn't touch that with a less than half mill budget (and I am mid renevation of my own 200 year old wreck)

Original poster
Slipslops · 04/10/2023 13:45

Sorry, meant feet! 😂

I was thinking £250k but feeling a bit clueless so all advice welcome!

OP posts:
OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 04/10/2023 13:47

When you say not habitable is someone currently living in it or is it a ruin?

I’m going to assume 2700 sqft so 250 m2, which is still a big property.

Finally, is it listed?

Madcats · 04/10/2023 13:53

What is it made of and is it listed?

I recommend that you find a surveyor with plenty of experience of renovating older buildings before you start asking builders to start injecting/adding damp proofing treatments.

Sommerled · 04/10/2023 13:54

How much would be done by you/family/mates in terms of labour, design, project management, decorating, landscaping?

What kind of renovation - high standard finishes? Slate roof? IKEA kitchen?

How difficult is it to ensure it meets current building regs? Can you future proof to ensure disabled access? How energy efficient can you make it/do you need it?

Is it listed or on a conservation area?

Where will you live while renovating (and for how long)? A caravan on the land (planning permission?), rental nearby (availability?), stay in your current home (distance?). How will you budget for that?

Basically, how long is a piece of string but you need to weigh up cost vs quality vs timescale and what is your priority.

Original poster
Slipslops · 04/10/2023 14:06

Thank you - all helpful thoughts.

So it’s not listed but is in an AONB. It doesn’t meet any current building regs at all. It is a wreck - but the potential is great.

All the work will be outsourced and will be middle of the range fittings. We’d stay in a caravan on-site and I reckon it would be 6-8 months of work.

Is £250k a realistic budget for total renovation of a 2700 sqft wreck?

OP posts:
Sommerled · 04/10/2023 14:10

Slipslops · 04/10/2023 14:06

Thank you - all helpful thoughts.

So it’s not listed but is in an AONB. It doesn’t meet any current building regs at all. It is a wreck - but the potential is great.

All the work will be outsourced and will be middle of the range fittings. We’d stay in a caravan on-site and I reckon it would be 6-8 months of work.

Is £250k a realistic budget for total renovation of a 2700 sqft wreck?

Budget sounds okay but 6-8 months is very ambitious! I would double that at least.

Do you need planning and building warrant for the work? How busy are trades in the area? We waited over 6 months for a builder. Get min 3 quotes for all trades.

Do you need planning permission to put a caravan on the site (you would in Scotland, don't know about England) - if so how long would that take?

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 04/10/2023 14:16

Old building don’t need to meet current buildings reg - trying to achieve that is impossible. Building finished a couple of years ago don’t meet current regs as they change frequently!

Definetly get a structural engineer in, the building has stood for 200 years with out structural steel - why does it need it now?

Budget wise 250 might be ok, but you should have access to a decent contingency of 100, as costs can spiral quickly.

Original poster
Slipslops · 04/10/2023 15:17

It needs RSJs because there’s only one bedroom upstairs and I want 3 and there are no load bearing joists.

I think realistically it’s too big a project for me and my budget isn’t healthy enough, Talking it through with you all has been really helpful, thank you everyone.

OP posts:
CircleWithin · 04/10/2023 18:30

Most old buildings will not benefit from a damp proof course - they need to breathe. If you take it on do your research re how to renovate a historic property.

I reckon you'll need about 3-400k

Madcats · 04/10/2023 20:16

Slipslops · 04/10/2023 15:17

It needs RSJs because there’s only one bedroom upstairs and I want 3 and there are no load bearing joists.

I think realistically it’s too big a project for me and my budget isn’t healthy enough, Talking it through with you all has been really helpful, thank you everyone.

You have probably made the right decision without a hefty budget.

Hope you find your doer-upper

BlueMongoose · 04/10/2023 21:05

Madcats · 04/10/2023 13:53

What is it made of and is it listed?

I recommend that you find a surveyor with plenty of experience of renovating older buildings before you start asking builders to start injecting/adding damp proofing treatments.

Definitely. A DPC could be a disaster. Yet another referral here to Hertitage House's website....

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 05/10/2023 06:59

I think it is too big a project you aren’t just renovating you are also extending / making significant alterations. It is a very large property and would be a major project. Given the new information I would say that a budget of 300-400 with 100 contingency.

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