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Updating an unloved property can be a more cost-effective route to a new home than buying a house that’s ready to move into, plus it means you’ll end up with a space that’s tailored to your household’s exact requirements.
However, in order for a project like this to make sense financially, you’ll want to be prepared in terms of knowing what work is needed and be vigilant in keeping on top of costs as the work progresses.
cOMPLETE RENOVATION GUIDE PART 1: FINDING POTENTIAL
The only way to budget for your project efficiently from the start is to thoroughly assess the property before you buy. This means getting experts in to survey the building to establish the extent of the works.
You could discuss the likely price with a builder, but some jobs are easier to estimate than others. Also, as discussed last month, you should always be wary of quick-fire quotes, because estimates could be generous purely to encourage you to go back to them when you put the project out to tender.
Armed with some kind of understanding of how much the project is likely to cost, you can add this to the house’s asking price to establish if the project is financially viable. Recognise the ceiling price of the street it’s on – this is important because it’s difficult to beat the value of the most expensive property.
So don’t spend more than this as you won’t recoup the money if you sell it once finished. If you use a main contractor for the whole project, you’ll be in a good position to secure an in-depth quote with some cost certainty, too.
But managing the project yourself means you’ll be saving the profit margin that the contractor is looking to make, plus you can negotiate directly with trades and suppliers yourself. However, bear in mind a building professional will have good contacts established and pre-negotiated discounts with suppliers already in place.
Doing things yourself takes time, too, and if you make mistakes you’ll be the one paying to put them right. Over the following pages I’ve pulled together some successful renovation projects completed by Build It readers.
For more inspiration, read our reader home renovation projects.
Reinstating period charm for £110,000Property style: Victorian terrace Property cost: £285,000 Bought: 2015 House size: 139m2 Project cost: £110,000 Project cost per m2: £791 Building work took: 17 months Current value: £650,000
Nicola O’Mara and John Merriman have renovated this three-bedroom Victorian cottage to bring it back to its former glory and give them an elegant new home. It had been empty for six years and required a significant amount of work. “Everything from the layout through to damp proofing needed considering,” says Nicola. “It felt like a damp cave, dripping water.” But their well-planned overhaul has more than doubled the property’s value.
Building materials £15,000 Building labour £50,000 Plumbing £8,000 Electrics £5,000 Windows £5,000 Bathrooms £10,000 Kitchen £5,000 Decoration £4,000 Fees and miscellaneous £8,000 |
Few people have the cash available to fund a major renovation solely through savings, or at least not enough to see them through the whole project. However, there are various options available to make sure you have the money when you need it.
The right route for you will depend on your personal circumstances, if the property is currently habitable and whether you’ve already got a mortgage on an existing house. Here are the main contenders:
Bungalow update for £275,000Property style: 1960s bungalow Property cost: £720,500 Bought: 2016 House size: 271m2 Project cost: £275,000 Project cost per m2: £1,015 Building work took: Six months Current value: £1,300,000
The high-end contemporary home of Mark and Stephanie Fernandez is completely unrecognisable from the dated bungalow they originally bought. The layout has been totally reworked, plus a new extension and a loft conversion have been added to maximise space. Mark kept finances under control with detailed spreadsheets to ensure a balanced cashflow – this was especially important as the family lived in the property while works took place. Fees (architect, surveyor, planning and engineer) £12,000 Foundations & drainage £11,000 |
Don’t forget that there are some extra things you’re required to pay for with a renovation project on top of simply the cost of updating the property. Here are some key elements you’re likely to need to budget for:
Energy efficient renovation completed for £310,000Property style: Victorian Property cost: £1.2m Bought: 2013 House size: 232m2 Project cost: £310,000 Project cost per m2: £1,336 Building work took: 48 weeks
This late Victorian terrace was previously a collection of flats, so owners George and Rosie Woods needed to drastically rethink the layout to turn it into the family home they were after. “We wanted a bright and roomy house,” says Rosie. “We followed the suggestions of an architect and a local estate agent, particularly paying close attention to creating a nice kitchen, bathrooms and a large master bedroom.”
Preliminaries £20,000 Strip out & repairs to building £13,000 Structural works £36,000 Glazing, external insulation & render £63,000 Interior dry-lining & plastering £21,000 External works £7,000 Finishes & kitchen £41,000 Equipment £36,000 Joinery & fitted furniture £38,000 Plumbing & electrics £35,000 |
Property style: 20th century semi-detached Property cost: £795,000 Bought: 2015 House size: 230m2 Project cost: £425,000 Project cost per m2: £1,848 Building work took: 18 months Current value: £1,250,000
Judith and Struan Mackenzie consulted an architect to establish what work was going to be involved in transforming this property into their dream home before making an offer to buy.
Certain that the project was worthwhile, the couple lived in the house for nine months to get an idea for what they wanted before changing it.
The project saw walls and a chimney stack removed, the loft converted and the heating system completely changed, amongst other things.
Architect, structural engineer, planning £12,000 Builders (plumbing, electrical,
roofing & painting) £300,000 Bathrooms £10,000 Kitchen £20,000 Windows & glazed doors £27,000 Tiles £7,000 Carpets £7,000 Shutters & blinds £5,000 Light fittings £4,000 Storage & rental of property £33,000
Farmstead overhaul for £560,600Property style: Historic farm buildings Property cost: £1,015,000 Bought: 2011 House size: 687m2 Project cost: £560,600 Project cost per m2: £828 Building work took: Three years
Keen to invest their inheritance wisely, Lou and Shaun Renwick decided to buy a collection of sorry-looking buildings that were part of a dilapidated farm. “We were determined to restore it,” says Shaun. “We were working to a very strict budget, though, so it was a huge gamble.” The work was extensive – timber barn structures were replaced, RSJ beams fitted, floors dug out and asbestos removed. “It was a major juggling act,” says Lou.
Planning, reports & survey fees £33,000 Windows & doors £36,800 Electrics (including digging trenches & laying new cables) £19,300 Lighting plans & fittings £14,000 Wood fired boiler, plumbing & heating system £51,000 Kitchen £40,000 Conservation rooflights & roof vents £10,000 Bathroom fittings & tiles £16,500 Flooring £12,000 Labour £328,000 |
cOMPLETE RENOVATION GUIDE Part 3: Designing a house renovation
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