Renovating a house from top to bottom is not for the faint-hearted, but if the property is listed, this comes with many added layers of red tape and expense. Just ask Claire Collins, who has spent two years restoring an elegant Georgian house in Lansdown, Bath.
“When I bought the house, it was so beautiful but hadn’t been touched in decades,” says Ms Collins, who has completely overhauled the five-bedroom, Grade II-listed townhouse…..
…Before you buy, it is crucial you get a full building survey from a surveyor who specialises in historic properties in your area. This will be more expensive, but will give you an important insight into the condition of the building and any potential issues – as well as give details on the building materials, and even possibly cover the extent of remedial work required.
Also, if you’re buying with a view to doing work, consult an architect and builder who specialise in listed buildings to look at it and advise what work could potentially be done (subject to consent) and at what cost, says Carol Peett, of West Wales Property Finders http://www.westwalespropertyfinders.co.uk
Note that work to listed buildings will often have to be done by specialist craftspeople in heritage materials, such as lime mortar. In some cases, this is extremely specific – Adam Lascelles, of By Design estate agency in Lincolnshire, once sold a listed property where the owners had to use a particular sheep’s wool from Wales for loft insulation, and specialised wood from Norfolk for their garden fences….
The Daily Telegraph 23rd October 2023 – https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/property/how-renovate-listed-home-avoid-red-flags/
If you are looking for a property in Pembrokeshire, West Carmarthenshire or South Ceredigion, give West Wales Property Finders a call on 01834 862816. We can find your perfect property for you whilst saving you time, stress and often money too.
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