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[Closed] Tell me I am mad or give me some advice please - house renovation...

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Got a viewing on this tomorrow

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-35010169.html

Now I know it will be a big job but HOW big? From what I can see of it so far it is a definite new roof, possible subsidence (downloaded the brochure that has more pics of the back and there seems to be areas of pointing repair, new lintels etc), new windows and doors, completely decorate and furnish, rewire...

I have done a partial renovation before but it was structurally sound, had already been rewired and plastered etc so it was more cosmetic.

Any thoughts?


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 10:42 am
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That's a lovely looking house.

Subsidence doesn't sound too clever - I guess there are many different levels of how bad this is. Over a mineshaft, say, versus something like a tree-root growing under a wall. You would need all the info available here.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 10:54 am
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Nice house, I like Knaresborough 🙂


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 10:56 am
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whats your budget?


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 10:59 am
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It's got its own Apple Loft and Dairy - bollocks to the subsisdence, I'd find a way.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:02 am
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Nice looking house, but I don't think you'd get much change from £100k to renovate that.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:09 am
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whats your budget?

Baked beans and learning lots of DIY over the next 20 years.

Seriously, probably about £50k initial budget and I really would have to make this a 'bit by bit' project for many years - certainly there would be no splashing £££££££££s on it to make it perfect in 6 months.

I'd find a way.

Is my wife's attitude right now.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:09 am
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Subsidence the only real issue, but as said above, there are degrees of severity. If you've got the money to pay others to do the bits you can't do yourself, then it's all good.

As above, what's your budget for repairs? How much can you do, or will you be paying trades? £40-50k?

Roof first to get it watertight. Then rewiring - which pretty much wrecks the place, so do that next. Then plastering and redecoration to follow, bathroom/s, kitchen. etc etc

It's a lovely house - oh to find something at that price down here!


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:23 am
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johndoh - just saw you last reply after I posted. I reckon you've got it about right for that strategy.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:24 am
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Forgot to add, my uncle (who I am very close to) is a retired builder so will be able to help (and point me to others for bits he can't help with). And my father-in-law is VERY competent too (they were given an equally/more dilapidated old farmhouse many years ago and he renovated it almost by himself over many years). so I do have people around to help point me in the right direction when I get out of my depth.

The garage seems fine though - and I think we would be living in that for the first 5 years 🙂

It's a lovely house - oh to find something at that price down here!

There isn't many like that around Harrogate either.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:28 am
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Seriously, probably about £50k initial budget and I really would have to make this a 'bit by bit' project for many years - certainly there would be no splashing £££££££££s on it to make it perfect in 6 months.

So assuming you do roof+subsidence first, you'll be stuck with that barbieprincesstastic interior decorating for the next few years???

Nice looking house from the outside, though!


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:28 am
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When you are the star of a TV show for the renovation, let us know.

I'd not want to tackle that part time / DIY and live in it at the same time. You need some proper reports done on it. That is an awful lot of money to pay for something that might take 6 figures to make right.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:29 am
 Drac
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Lovely property, that.

As said do the essentials and then spend many years with rest for what's a lovely home.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:30 am
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Gardens big enough for a Static.

Get it bought


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:32 am
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Not sure about that pink carpet. Other than that if you have the time and funds go for it!


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:34 am
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I reckon the roof alone could easily cost between £60k and £80k depending on the state of the supporting structure.

If there is subsidence then who knows? You need to get a proper survey done.

Are you going to do all the work yourself or use tradesmen?

We renovated this over a few years using tradesmen for the big stuff:
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/7948886382_3dd85df24e.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/7948886382_3dd85df24e.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/manoirdelourde/7948886382/ ]36791_1319146709239_1664124_n[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/manoirdelourde/ ]manoirdelourde[/url], on Flickr

Come up with a reasonable estimate of what you think it will cost, then double it. And if you live in the house while the work is being done expect to be miserable for a long time . . .


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:35 am
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Lovely village. Not sure where else that's nice and near Harrogate you'd get the prospect of four/five beds for that price, as long as renovation costs aren't vast. It's a long way from being a shell, either.

Just don't fall in love with it until you're sure, and make sure the missus doesn't either. If the numbers don't stack up, you've got to walk.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:42 am
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£50k and 6 months does not sound enough – in my opinion and based on a quick look at the photos.

There are a number of things you would want to do as quickly as possible as they will be messy jobs. You would assume a new roof but also under pinning and maybe some structural work if there has been subsistence. I would also assume that the damp has been getting in for years so you need to look at all the wood (floor joists etc).

Windows look tired but might be saveable? The beams visible in the ceiling look like some one has knocked this about a bit – you could find all sorts going on once you get into it!

I am not a builder but work with developers, a similar project I am involved with (barn conversion) has a 90k budget and that is without any builders mark up on materials and labour at cost.

Good luck if you go for it.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:49 am
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£50k and 6 months

I said I would have £50k and that I *wouldn't* expect to make it perfect in 6 months. I am not so daft as to think that!


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:54 am
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Clearly there's a minimum that needs doing - but that's not the problem - it's where you choose to take it to after you've got the basics sorted.

For instance, in a large and expensive house like that a kitchen budget might be 30 to 40k.

I'd do some homework on what the house might be worth once it's done.

Having lived in a 600year old thatched cottage that needed doing up, I know one thing. Me, personally, I would never do it again. It all cost a lot more than we thought it would and living through the renovations was hideous.

In the end I hated the place and it was sold (at a loss).


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 11:57 am
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I guess the question is how far would £50k take you and how long it would take to get it into a decent state after that.

As others have said I think you could blow £50k on the roof alone. I would guess £100k will get you most of the way there and would build that in to the price you offer.

Good luck with it.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 12:05 pm
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Part of me hopes I don't fall in love with it...


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 12:11 pm
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I think the key is to make the decision based on a cold hard look at the numbers. Make any bid knowing you have enough cash to get you through it without to much stress and with some very prudent assumptions (estimated cost x2 is a good one) and also ensure all the hard work is worth it i.e. you can sell it for a good chunk more than it will have cost you.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 12:19 pm
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Paying cash or will you need some kinda mortgage - if so budget for cashflow 'issues' - and £50k will probably sort the roof out properly...


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 12:22 pm
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Can you get either your uncle or your F-i-L to view it with you and see what they say?

I'd be worried about the possible subsidence, as there's no sign of trees nearby; to me that says if there is subsidence it's probably something pretty serious...


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 12:23 pm
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F-I-L coming with us tomorrow, Uncle can't make it.

It may not be subsidence, it could just be bad work in the past - I was just going from the pictures I have seen. The more I think about it, the less I think it could be - I am not aware of any history of it in that area and there isn't anything close to cause it (other than a duck pond).

I woud be paying circa. £250k cash (inheritance all but paid off current mortgage before you think I am flash) but can probably borrow another £50k. Would need a mortgage/loan/credit card/beg/steal/sell wife for anything else on top.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 1:20 pm
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Apple loft == cinema 😀


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 1:43 pm
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Have you looked at the house in Google Earth?

There is a small development just to the side of the house, and if you look at the road (Avenue House Court) it just ends at the field to the rear . . . that looks to me like the developer might intend or even have permission to carry on building into the field behind, which would spoil your view somewhat at some point . . . the search should bring that out.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 1:51 pm
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Yeah, from what we understand the barmy garage plonked in the middle of the back garden was done by the developer at the time of those houses being built - probably their way of buying the owner's silence then the planning went in.

Not *too* worried about developments, being party to the long term LDF - in the next 10 years at least there are no plans to allow building to be considered there (unlike my current house that stands to lose it's open aspect).


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 2:00 pm
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Listen to manoirdelourde, the images of his gaff, are of something similar in size, albeit in France or something, but sounds like he has been there & done it.

His estimate of the work to fix it looked a lot more like it than the 50k mentioned elswhere.

Only my opinion, but 50k did not pop to mind when I looked.

Be lovely done though.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 2:34 pm
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Yeah I am in *NO* illusion that £50k will complete the work, it is just my estimate (dependant on what I could sell my house for) of what I would have to play with initially.

I know I would be living on a building site for a long time.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 2:36 pm
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That was what I meant too, 60-80 for initial make it comfy works.

I obviously dont know how strong your family ties are, but its not quite can you pop around & help me paint the door frames while I do the skirting is it.

It is really nice, will be fantastic done, you just need to as has been said and look into it very closely & get the estimates in.

I would much rather you do it than 1 of the 30 builders looking at it!

If you have 50k to play with then at least you know your budget, now get it looked at, I hope I am wrong & you get to make it happen. 🙂


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 2:50 pm
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Estimate what it would be worth done up, subtract £50k or so, then subtract the purchase price.

To me that looks like a nice house but the plot isn't all that great for the standard of house which could affect its value and determine if it's economically sound to attempt the refurb. What's the rest of the location like?

I've never heard anyone report that a rennovation project was easy, quick and stress free, even those with tons of money. I would not want to take on that much stress for what is, after all, only a building. Life's too short.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 2:52 pm
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Absolutely no chance for £50k!


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 3:00 pm
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No subsidence at ours, but needed a new roof, wiring, heating (including radiators), fosse septique, lots of bathrooms, kitchen, third floor conversion, lighting, decorating etc. etc.
Loads of work over a few years, probably spent over £130k in total, and there are still a few bits to do (like sanding and varnishing 200 square metres of wooden floor).
I reckon a similar amount should see yours looking good.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 3:18 pm
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What's the rest of the location like?

A nice village away from any main roads, school, pub and cricket team. One of the more desirable locations around where we live. Agree about garden size though.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 3:22 pm
 csb
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The Local Plan counts for nothing in the brave new world of building anywhere - if it isn't in an AONB or National Park, and whoever owns the neighbouring land has an eye to making money from it, they'll be able to build houses there regardless of what the plan says.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 3:46 pm
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Yeah I do know - our current property adjoins a site of 'Special Scientific Interest' and has been turned down for development many times in the past then suddenly last year it was fine - plan away - it is now (or was, until the Government U-turn late last year putting things into confusion) the preferred option. I have no illusion that I would be buying a view. It *will* always be a nice village location though. With riding quite literally on the doorstep.

And a dogging site at the other side of the village apparently.

🙂


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 3:50 pm
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Think of a number then double it.

We undertook (are still undertaking) a renovation on a Grade 2 listed cottage. Not as big, or without structural issues but everything else needed doing (new roof too).

Given the choice, I wouldn't be doing it again. What I would say is it's amazing how you & your wife can adapt to the circumstances though, despite the adversity!


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 3:51 pm
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One of the more desirable locations around where we live.

Really? Well that's fair enough, but from what's on Google Streetview it looks like a dormitory with nothing in it!


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 4:07 pm
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See, that's just 'some houses' to me. They're alright, but I don't see any shops or anything, or any features other than the houses. No green, no lovely riverbank, no cutsey church etc. Looks like a modern development, but admittedly Streetview doesn't cover the whole place.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 4:42 pm
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If it's practical for both of your jobs, has good schools should you need them and your wife wants it, buy it.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 4:48 pm
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Same thoughts as i have been having over [url= http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-33302344.html ]This[/url]

Would be ideal for a B&B to keep Mrs B busy but squirm at renovation costs


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 5:00 pm
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Looks like it would be lovely when finished, I know the area well as I work round there a lot and would love to live there, perfect for commuting to York/Leeds/Harrogate etc. Shops and stuff nearby in Knaresborough, but still rural enough to be very peaceful.

From past experience of doing up smaller (but similar condition) properties, I would reckon on £100k+ to renovate, if you do a lot yourself.

The + being how far you want to go with things like bathrooms and kitchen, as you could easily blow £100k on a Kitchen and a Bathroom if you felt the need. 🙂


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 5:01 pm
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bland - nice looking place. Converting back from apartments is likely to be more expensive than a "simple" renovation, it depends how good the conversion was in the first place.


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 5:34 pm
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http://www.uretek.co.uk/

You might need these people 🙂

Impossible to give a proper opinion without a proper look but I reckon you'll still be spending money in 10 years time.

Nice though, just depends what you want


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 6:07 pm
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Lovely looking place...
Couple of things...

Large rooms cost more to sort out than small rooms. suprisingly so.
Do you know local tradesmen? & can you call in favours to help you with your small budget?
Make sure you're not doing double work. made that mistake by sorting out plenty of rooms then knocking 7 bells out the house due to needing to sort out chimney flues.
I'm 11 years through a 10 year plan and 60% done 🙂
Love it!

That house could be a stonking home 🙂
Do it 🙂


 
Posted : 07/09/2012 7:04 pm
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So, you got an update on this for us?


 
Posted : 09/09/2012 6:47 pm
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Yeah...

Went to see it on Saturday morning and it is little more than a very overpriced building plot - the house is in a serious mess, there is dry rot and woodworm throughout, one side of the house is sinking, much of the stonework (it looks to be Tadcaster stone) is crumbling away and would need replacing, at the back the stone doesn't even match so I woud want to spend lots putting that right, the electrics (unsurprisingly) are in a mess.

But it IS a beautiful house and someone with serious money could do something amazing with it, especially at the end of the house with the dairy/apple store set of three floors - you could go up again into the roof and have exposed timbers and mezzanine levels etc.

It would comfortably be a £200k+ refurb project. Part of me thinks it would be best knocked down, whatever stone and wood that is usable reclaimed and build two smaller homes on the site as (just as was said above) the smallish garden doesn't befit such a large house so it might be best divided up.

And someone has already had a £300k offer rejected. Apparently it was on the market originally at £500k!!!!


 
Posted : 10/09/2012 9:30 am
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Heh, reminds me of the four bare walls that were visible from the A449 just after it joins the M4. Grass growing inside it, the works.

http://goo.gl/maps/Ghg0N

It has pointy arched windows all round, looks fantastic and also ecclesiastical. Interestingly the wood is labelled as Priory Wood on Google Maps so perhaps that's why. Amazing house and setting apart from the dirty great dual carriageway in the garden :/


 
Posted : 10/09/2012 10:07 am
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It's amazing how these properties fire your imagination to take it on and come out with a wonderful home at the end of it. One of the big problems when buyi g a property like this is the fact the you are up against other buyers who haven't done the homework and effectively bidding more than the house is worth.

Having designed and built my own home, I have some expierence in these matters. However s building of this age is not quite so simple for the average bloke to ascertain the full picture. Personally I would get a friendly Surveyor to look carefully at the issues and give me some professional advice. The other thing to bear in mInd is the £10k of your £50k will probably go on vat, which is pretty scary!


 
Posted : 10/09/2012 8:58 pm
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you are up against other buyers who haven't done the homework and effectively bidding more than the house is worth.

Yep - had that at an auction last year. Guide price of £160k, we budgeted for no more than £220k, bid to £224k (got a bit carried away in the heat of the moment) and it eventually went for £265k.

The property is next to my in-laws and they have got to know the new neighbours and they quickly admitted they had vastly overspent and found out they couldn't get the planning for the work they wanted to do. We knew we wouldn't get the planning because we did our homework, knew about the greenbelt status and knew what opposition there would be if we had tried. Their architect said they had bought no more than some double glazing (it had recently been re-done) and a building plot.


 
Posted : 11/09/2012 8:32 am
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yep i found one i liked - area looking back was pretty pish next to a main road and an industrial area on top of a hill(cove/loiriston for those that know the area)

3 bed requiring a new heating system and a superficial renovation , windows m dormer covering and internal redecorating , with 2 massive(28ft by 28ft x 15ft tall) workshop/garages on site.

guide price of 215 - i bit 220 - it went for 300k at closing(in february this year) my solicitor was shocked - we knew it would go over but by that much we didnt think - we were playing the ready to pay and move position. ITs still looking like a wreck to this day almost a year later.

The more i look back the more im glad i didnt get it. Ive now got a 3 bed in a peaceful country location in the west of the city limits on a quiet road with no throughfare traffic

always something better round the corner mate !


 
Posted : 11/09/2012 8:42 am
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I could re roof the whole lot for a lot less than 50k! Get some proper local advice and make your judgements from there and not on here.


 
Posted : 11/09/2012 9:04 am
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But it isn't just a roof - judging by the dry rot and woodworm throughout the rest of the house and the fact it has been badly leaking for some time, I assume all timbers need replacing AND the top two or three courses of stonework need replacing and all guttering and downpipes replacing.


 
Posted : 11/09/2012 9:23 am
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Then make a judgement using local tradedman and if in doubt walk away!
I've been in the building game for 20 yrs now and in that time worked on anything from plastering a wall to building a £7.5 million two storey factory/3 storey office block. The guy who had the factory built is a local businessman who we do a lot of work for, he bought an old farmhouse with the key being its location. Over the years I've been involved in doubling its size, converting the old cow sheds into a swimming pool/gym/games room, building a block (3doubles)of garages and a helicopter hanger with the worlds biggest sectional door!! In all that development money was never really an issue, he had it, and had a vision of how he wanted it spent. My point is, the two go massively hand in hand, and once you're "leg is in" so to speak the only thing holding you back on getting what you want will be the £££££'s.


 
Posted : 11/09/2012 9:44 am
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There you go JD.....the answer is to get someone who knows the pitfalls and can provide advice you can rely on.

Don't let the heart rule the head on matters like this.


 
Posted : 11/09/2012 12:29 pm
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We haven't done - we have walked away and will watch with interest to see what happens next. If they reduce the price by £150k we might be interested but otherwise, we’re oot.


 
Posted : 11/09/2012 1:19 pm

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