Thoughts on this house

[Allisnotlost1]

I’m looking to relocate and open to a project. This one looks like a fair bit of work but with good bones. I’d want a proper roof (at least) on the conservatory and possibly to extend, and a second bathroom (so maybe sacrificing the smallest bedroom for an en suite).

Interested in any experiences of similar, and a rough idea of cost if you’ve done work recently in the SE.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/160563857

All your drainage is around the kitchen side so using the smaller bedroom for an en-suite will be expensive
Suggest you look and see where the manholes are to find the drainage run. you’ll need new underground drainage pipes to join with the existing manhole

Generally the house just needs decorating. If u do it yourself it’s the cost of paint and sandpaper and some trips to the tip with those carpets 🥴

Check how old the boiler is and when it was last serviced ( I’d move or box it out )
Refurb the bathrooms. If you leave the fittings approx in same location it’s just the price of those plus fitting and wall finishes

How much you spend on a kitchen is entirely dependent on taste
IKEA £8000 then others !!!!
Bathroom fittings a bath £100 Wc the same etc. About £5000 / bathroom but if you’re going for Grohe taps etc again it gets pricier

Buy the fittings yourself ( find a trade dealer, there’s one on Chatham hill in Chatham ) and get a plumber to fit them.
Roof no idea.
I just finished a property in Rochester and our prices were as above.

This could be made really nice if you have the money its a decent size. Sorry no actual helpful just wanted to say it has a lot of potential

Definitely good bones to it. We did one but I was pregnant and had a toddler at the time and so regretted the useless plumber who the project manager appointed. Make sure you get an excellent one. You will probably need to change the pipes to plastic ones and rewire the place - check when last done.
Definitely make the extension a more solid structure. Work out how the shared drive is used too first before you go for this.

Ooh that's quite a project! Looks like pretty much everything needs refurbishment.

You'll probably need to have it rewired and maybe replumbed as well. It'll need a new kitchen and new bathrooms and redecorating throughout.

I would consider ditching the conservatory and building an extension, similar to what the neighbouring properties have. You could then have a big open-plan kitchen/diner/sitting area overlooking the garden.

Needs a lot doing to it. Is your budget going to be worth it?

Ps. Your average simple extension in the SE is about £3000/m2 (2024)

I think there are many other far nicer properties on the market in Margate for the same price, what's the appeal of this one? I doubt you'd be able to make a profit on it if your plan is to flip it.

What's the ceiling price for that road? It's going to cost a fair amount to get it up to scratch, what's the boiler/wiring etc like? You don't want to end up trapped because you've spent more in total than the top value. We bought a project but nearly ten years ago, work/trades/materials have gone up a lot. Our kitchen cost 30k could've probably got it in for about 25k, bathroom 10k, full re plaster after taking off all the wood chip ourselves, some rewiring. Luckily we discovered original doors under 70s laminate and good original floorboards downstairs which we sanded back, it's a lot of work. An old house especially will always cost you more to do than you expect (ours is Edwardian)

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/162178274?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

This one could be a much more minor project (decorative) already has 2 bathrooms is just up the road and only 15k more

The sell for me would be the garden. It’s a good size and not overlooked from houses at the rear

It’s all finished and a good price
but
the garden is North facing

My main concern would be Aspestos. We bought a project house and budgeted £10000 for a proper survey and removal. Our final bill was a little less.

Thanks for all your replies. Helpful to have recent-ish prices so thanks @DrPrunesqualer and @TheCurious0range .

The appeal of this one is the garden, and the location. Most other houses of similar sizes there are out of my price range. Not looking to flip it but to live in it so not so worried about a profit, but do need to have a budget in mind. The ceiling price for the road is 550k I think. This is currently for sale https://www.your-move.co.uk/property/semi-detached-house-for-sale-grove-gardens-margate-ct9-id-qcl250155

I saw the other one and there are good things about that too - same size garden for example - but it somehow looked smaller and poky. Maybe just the way it was photographed.

Go and visit them both. Walk around them in real life.

Your house is livable.

You have option of completing a more sturdy extension replacing the conservatory.
Your extra bathroom upstairs might be better in the small back bedroom, plumbing wise, and you could make better use of space in small front bedroom by changing the door to be flush with the passage and by moving the internal wall, taking 12 inches from the bedroom beside it.

I really like the house, it’s got loads of potential. Great garden and good sized rooms.
Ask the neighbours if you could have a look at what they’ve done to their house - they might be able to give you an idea on costs too.
Looks like you’ll need a re wire, poss replastering, new kitchen, new bathroom, poss new boiler. All of that may end up costing well over £60k (obvs depends on materials/labour but to give you an idea our new bathroom cost £10k)

It’s a great house. I think a lot depends on what you find when you start building work.

What is under those ceiling tiles in the kitchen? Are the chimney breasts solid? Does it need new electrics and plumbing once you dig deep?

You need to walk around and get a feel of it.

It would be easier to take a little bit from the front bedroom (and maybe the bathroom?) to make an ensuite there than to lose a bedroom.

It looks like it has been well maintained and would hopefully just need redecorating, new bathrooms and kitchen and consumer boards update.

Our bathroom put in during covid, 4 years ago in the SE cost just over £10k and was particularly high end except for the Porcelanosa tiles (all walls).

Looks expensive for Margate. Will likely be a money pit.

Keep looking. Wild horses would not entice me to do a major refurb these days with costs rising so much. You don't know what lurks underneath, although I suppose you'll get a good survey - I hope!

I like the second one you posted. Ready to go, and you can change the things you want bit by bit.

But hey, that's just me - I couldn't see myself undertaking any refurb at all. I'd wait for one that just needs decoration of my choice. It's a bit of a buyer's market out there so you may be lucky soon.

This one didn’t just feel smaller it is smaller

its 21.3m2 smaller than the one you are looking at

As an aside OP
Many posters are mentioning new plumbing
I don’t know why. Plumbing rarely needs upgrading. The only plumbing you’ll need is whats quite obvious ie plumbing in new sanitary and kitchen goods.

To me your house just needs redecoration, kitchen and bathrooms upgraded to your choice
Then the extension if you want.

Having done many properties from moving ourselves and as an Architect I’m surprised this house would worry people.

Thank you, this is really helpful. I’ll call the estate agent and book a viewing.

Thank you, this is really helpful. I’ll call the estate agent and book a viewing.

2nd one for me. It's £100k was well spent.
The first one is too dreary and needs ££££££s spent on it. Very stressful indeed.