Do people in real life actually ask estate agents

[WasteOfSky]

For pre and post renovation valuation/appraisal?

Or is this just in property shows?

I’m n Scotland if that makes a difference to answers?(lots of property stuff is different!)

Additional question - I would willingly pay for a rough estimate of costs/ feasibility from architect/builders/structural engineers, do trades people typically offer this? Don’t want to waste anyone’s time if we’re so far away from actually carrying on any work.

I’ve only just discovered ‘my home made perfect’ this would’ve been ideal to enter, despite not having much of a backstory (unless muddy MAMIL and we need a downstairs shower close to the back door to save our marriage works?)

We have done this several years ago, rang and were honest with two local agents that we were asking for general info. I think they are usually happy to come and have a nosy around as it helps to benchmark their valuations the more properties they see in a particular street, get intel about neighbouring properties that may come on the market in future, and also did a bit of a sales pitch about other properties for sale nearby that we might want to consider if we decided not to have the hassle of renovation!

Both came out to visit and looked around and gave us a verbal estimate, they also guided us on which renovation options would add most value/make house more saleable. It was worth their time as when we came to sell a couple of years later we went with one of the agents as we had liked them so much.

Thank you, this is reassuring to read it’s not just a tv made up thing. They can always say no!

I have done similar, I was completely honest that I was not looking to sell my house but having bought it a few years earlier and renovated, I wanted an updated valuation for divorce purposes.
I was happy to pay for this service but birth estate agents said they would come for free.

If you are willing to pay I'm sure an architect would come out and give advise and draw up plans for you (if you wanted them to). Then you could ask local builders for an approximate price for the work based on the drawings. You can say you are not ready to proceed yet, but they may be less keen to spend time on it, if they are busy.

I found that I’m far more clued up about pre and post renovation prices by doing a bit of research. I went with an agent to look at a property that was very dated and hadn’t been extended. I asked him if I did xyz what would it be worth? He hedged and pulled a figure out of thin air. It was a test really to see if he knew his business, as I had already seen the sold prices on the street and it had do happened that two houses had recently sold (though other agents) that had the work I was talking about done. So I knew the answer. He did not.
But I do think agents will come and do the valuations as you suggest. They would have to know the market well - not just what they’ve sold but what their competitors have too. They will always have it in mind that if they do this you may eventually sell through them.
As for builders, it depends how busy they are. Individual trades I feel are more reluctant, and may come give an estimate for a fee that they then knock off the eventual cost if you use them to do the job. Fair enough really.

Some of the houses on our street have gone for silly money recently, but one in particular has been done to a very high standard.
One of our old neighbours sold recently for a more normal price, but it needed a lot of modernization. So I’ve no idea really. We’re not fancy people so we’re never going to go for that premium look regardless.