Willed a House That Needs Renovation - What Next?

[popster]

i was willed a 3 story terrace house (attics inc.)

it needs windows, heating, plumbing, ground level flooring replaced, damp proofing etc.

i also wish to extend the small kitchen into the backyard.

is my first step to engage a surveyor or other?

many thanks.

 

[^woody^]

Yes surveyor.

 

[Aeron Rees]

Or another building professional, architect, architectural technologist etc.

With regard to the extension, it’s worth having a read of the permitted development technical guidance and party wall guidance.

Links

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...der_Technical_Guidance__-April_2017_FINAL.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa..._Wall_etc__Act_1996_-_Explanatory_Booklet.pdf

 

[John D v2.0]

Just don't get a home buyers survey, you need a surveyor who is actually knowledgeable in detail about houses of a similar age and construction.
In some ways a local builder would have more knowledge about the construction and common issues, but they generally are running a business so they won't be focused on reporting.
An architect would be helpful if they are experienced in detailed design but you might need one surveyor and one architect afterwards

 

[foxhole]

If you can find a decent builder he will be able to do drawing for planning permission etc and deal with council etc. [will also save a lot in fees]

 

[^woody^]

If you can find a decent builder he will be able to do drawing for planning permission etc and deal with council etc. [will also save a lot in fees]

Cool. Do you have a number of the builder that will do drawings for free?

 

[^woody^]

Just don't get a home buyers survey, you need a surveyor who is actually knowledgeable in detail about houses of a similar age and construction.

Surveyors do other things to surveying. Drawing, specifying, project managing, inspecting, valuing and agreeing payments come to mind in the context of the OP.

 

[^woody^]

Or another building professional, architect, architectural technologist etc.

They tend not to know a lot about the practicalities of building and maintenance. Ok for extension drawing though.

 

[Aeron Rees]

If you can find a decent builder he will be able to do drawing for planning permission etc and deal with council etc. [will also save a lot in fees]

I’ve seen a lot of builders try this.

 

[Aeron Rees]

They tend not to know a lot about the practicalities of building and maintenance. Ok for extension drawing though.

I think a number of Architectural Technologists seem to have a fairly decent understanding of the practicalities of building, suppose it depends on experience. Would definitely get a Architect, or Architectural Technologist to draw up plans, usually better quality, not always, but usually.

 

[John D v2.0]

Surveyors do other things to surveying. Drawing, specifying, project managing, inspecting, valuing and agreeing payments come to mind in the context of the OP.

True surveyors in general would, but like with any job family, you get some people specialising in different areas. Not all are equal, and it matters what you ask them to do too. Although they are supposed to ensure that their services are suitable due to professional responsibility, it's helpful to get in informed.

 

[foxhole]

Cool. Do you have a number of the builder that will do drawings for free?

No , do you?

 

[davidpeters]

Surveyors do other things to surveying. Drawing, specifying, project managing, inspecting, valuing and agreeing payments come to mind in the context of the OP.

and some spend all day on an internet forum

 

[^woody^]

Multi tasking matey.

 

[Doggit]

Actually, I'd get an estate agent to have a look at it first. It could well be, that the amount of work required won't get a decent return, so you might want to just get rid of it without the hassle, but as always, get three quotes, and take an average of the sell now, and you might get such and such done up price. But by virtue of the extension, I assume that you're proposing to live in it.

Personally, I'd possibly ignore the surveyor route, as it'll give you an idea of the things you've got to deal with, but so would a good builder, and if there were more serious issues such as foundations, then they'd tell you to get one, otherwise, it'd be a technical architect to draw the plans, and then submit them to various builder to get them priced up. You can get quotes for the windows etc, and the builder would very likely handle or subcontract the rest.

But do you have the funds to do the job, or will you need a mortgage. That's when you'd be offered the option of a home buyers report (ignore it), but they might well hold back a retention until the properties been improved.