Considering purchasing a Grade II listed 8 bed house in a dire state. Help!

[litchipip]

We're looking at buying a magnificent (but badly neglected) grade II listed 8 bedroom home that was built in the arts and crafts movement. It still has many of the original features downstairs, beautiful wooden shutters, stained glass, staircase, bell tower (!), I found the original floor tiles under the (disgusting) carpet in the entrance hall, fireplaces, etc etc. You get the picture. But we've never owned a listed building before, and this one needs SO much work . Currently the basement is flooded, and the downstairs is pretty much uninhabitable, several windows are broken, and the current owner has used plyboard to barricade themselves into 5 upstairs rooms, putting a kitchen and utility room into two of what should be bedrooms! Even the bathrooms that are being used are pretty gross.

Basically, I'm looking for any advice, experience and help in thinking through how to tackle the project.

We know this is a huge project, and that we're facing an incredible amount of work, and cost. But we have really fallen in love with the place and we have decided that we are prepared to put in the 10-15 years and exorbitant amount of money it's going to take over that time to restore it. We're just waiting to hear if our offer has been accepted.

Thanks in advance!

 

[alexander]

although it sounds gross if its at least habitable Personally I would move in then deal with things on a need to be done basis starting with making it at least weather proof once its weather proof then any inside work can start heating would be my next concern but you may have to except it going to be a bit of a building site for a while.
good luck Alex

 

[Cubist]

Priority 1 = Weathertight - check and ensure that the roof is in good order and there are no leaks to the interior through broken/lost tiles or damaged lead work/gulleys. Also ensure that all rain goods, gutters, hoppers, and pipe work are in good condition and are blockage free and especially making sure rainwater from any of the is not cascading/running down the walls. Check and repair all the windows and door frames to ensure no missing or damaged glazing and that weather seals are working effectively.
Priority 2 = Set short term - 1-2 years - Goals (these should focus on what is needed to make the house a place where you can live comfortably rather than a finished home) and Develop Plan of action starting with key rooms such as bathroom and kitchen.
Priority 3 = Develop a joint vision for the HOME you want to produce and when you want to achieve it and then settle in for the long haul to deliver it - before you pop your clogs.

 

[LadyArowana]

This really comes down to how much time, money and determination you have and how strong your relationship is. The whole family ( even if that’s just two of you ) need to be prepared for what lies ahead, and willing to see it through. That may mean sacrificing holidays, meals out or other passtimes. I would also ask yourself whether you went house hunting looking for a project or whether this house in particular has made you consider one. I don’t mean to sound negative because there’s folks on here who have done epic things, or indeed are still going and getting superb results, but I also know of where it was a husband’s dream and a wife’s nightmare and ended with a decree absolute and a forced sale of a half finished farmhouse. If you do proceed then this is a brilliant forum for advice.

 

[litchipip]

This really comes down to how much time, money and determination you have and how strong your relationship is. The whole family ( even if that’s just two of you ) need to be prepared for what lies ahead, and willing to see it through. That may mean sacrificing holidays, meals out or other passtimes. I would also ask yourself whether you went house hunting looking for a project or whether this house in particular has made you consider one. I don’t mean to sound negative because there’s folks on here who have done epic things, or indeed are still going and getting superb results, but I also know of where it was a husband’s dream and a wife’s nightmare and ended with a decree absolute and a forced sale of a half finished farmhouse. If you do proceed then this is a brilliant forum for advice.

Thanks for this. We've done a couple of much smaller fixer upper projects - we've never bought a house that didn't need some work, so we're familiar with the stress that goes along with it. We've never done anything so big, or listed, so I think that's the real worry here. And we're very familiar with the skipping holidays and meals out life. We didn't specifically go looking for a project but we weren't opposed to one - we were specifically looking for something large with lots of rooms and lots of space, which this house definitely gives us. We're in 100% agreement with it, rather than one of us dragging the other into it. I don't think that'll necessarily make it easy but at least there won't be any "look what you've done" drama.

 

[litchipip]

Priority 1 = Weathertight - check and ensure that the roof is in good order and there are no leaks to the interior through broken/lost tiles or damaged lead work/gulleys. Also ensure that all rain goods, gutters, hoppers, and pipe work are in good condition and are blockage free and especially making sure rainwater from any of the is not cascading/running down the walls. Check and repair all the windows and door frames to ensure no missing or damaged glazing and that weather seals are working effectively.
Priority 2 = Set short term - 1-2 years - Goals (these should focus on what is needed to make the house a place where you can live comfortably rather than a finished home) and Develop Plan of action starting with key rooms such as bathroom and kitchen.
Priority 3 = Develop a joint vision for the HOME you want to produce and when you want to achieve it and then settle in for the long haul to deliver it - before you pop your clogs.

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. I've never even heard of a hopper . The fear is that we're biting off more than we can chew! Two external doors are missing/badly broken and several window panes are smashed so I think we'll have to start there (and I'm really, really hoping the survey says the roof is okay!)

 

[LadyArowana]

I've never even heard of a hopper .

It’s one of these, not one of those

 

[LadyArowana]

Good to hear you have some experience of projects. If it really is a bit dire you could always consider getting a static caravan to park on the land and use as a refuge while some of the grossness is tackled. I’m reliably told that they can be picked up relatively cheaply because the holiday parks only allow them to be a certain number of years old. My decorator had one for family trips and after it reached “end of life” as far as the park was concerned it went on to someone else for this purpose.

 

[litchipip]

It’s one of these, not one of thoseView attachment 17640View attachment 17641

Thanks, I will definitely consider this (if only for a clean shower!) I'm also hoping that the Conservation Officer is reasonable about Listed Building Consent. It was only recently listed, and none of the bathrooms have original features, so I'm hoping they'll let us just get stuck in with getting the bathrooms usable rather than getting funny about tile colours and the history of bath tubs.

 

[Cubist]

It’s one of these, not one of thoseView attachment 17640View attachment 17641

Thats the drain hopper, sort of, I meant but Lady As additional thought is better. But I would suggest two. They'll help to get around the place and keep your abs toned up for hoiking big bags of plaster and lumps of timber around.

 

[Cubist]

Come what may these old places can tend to become mini Forth Bridges - theres always something else that needs doing and it would be wise to consider buying some shares in say Farrow and Ball or another suchlike. As I said before, there are a lot of 'challenged' people here that will be happy to offer a little help or moral support as you go along.

but I also know of where it was a husband’s dream and a wife’s nightmare

And, oi, that's a two way street I'll have you know and... oh, its ok, I'm safe for the moment; the First Ladies somewhere mid Atlantic right now so I'd best make sure I log off before she gets home to take umbrage over the state of my To Do list. She still hasn't forgotten or forgiven that I've done nothing about her suggestion I search out a few thousand (10s of) for the Walled Garden she saw in @overlander matt 's current thread. Cheers Matt, thanks bunches pal.

 

[litchipip]

Lol! I think the hopper will be the least of my expenses. Not so helpful getting around - 5 acres is going to need a ride on mower with trailer attachment! But the ab workout would be useful. I'm heading over to check out the walled garden now... I'm definitely the spender in my marriage so @overlander matt might be in trouble with my hubby too when I'm done
F&B shares... now there's an idea...

 

[Cubist]

Careful with that mower idea. The First Lady often grumbles that I lavish far more attention on mine than I do on her. But then, she doesn't break down as often and nor would she be too happy if I approached with greasy hands and spanners.

 

[overlander matt]

I'm not taking any blame for the consequences of this year's wall building! Still ongoing... Like so many other projects on the house.

Welcome Litchipip and good luck with the new project!

 

[Kearn]

Good to hear you have some experience of projects. If it really is a bit dire you could always consider getting a static caravan to park on the land and use as a refuge while some of the grossness is tackled. I’m reliably told that they can be picked up relatively cheaply because the holiday parks only allow them to be a certain number of years old. My decorator had one for family trips and after it reached “end of life” as far as the park was concerned it went on to someone else for this purpose.

We didn’t find them to be great value sadly…. The cost was less in the unit, more the transport, potential wide load convoy, and finding a way to shift it after for a decent price… seemed like a great option initially.