With hundreds and thousands of old, derelict properties available in the market today, it is no small wonder that people of moderate wealth are buying them with the sole purpose of renovating them and then selling them on for a profit. Whether you’ve recently come into some money, or you’ve had your eye on a property for some time and you have finally saved up enough for the deposit, purchasing a fixer-upper can be a whole lot of hard work, or it can be an extremely satisfying experience overall.
It is important that you have some idea of renovations, construction or at least you have the funds with which to hire people who know about renovations. A fixer-upper is not recommended for first time buyers, no matter how ambitious they may be, unless they have money to burn on bespoke contractors. If you have extensive DIY experience, or have a wide selection of friends that are willing to help, all the more luck to you.
Renovate or Re-build?
So you’ve made your purchase and are now the owner of a fixer-upper. What to do now? Well, one thing is for certain; you need to make a decision as to whether or not you are going to renovate the existing property, or tear down the whole building and start again from scratch. Both options have their benefits and disadvantages, depending on how much work you are willing to put into the project.
Renovations for example are good if you like the current structure and there are not too many repairs needed on the foundation of the building. For example, if you were looking to spruce up the exterior of the house with some siding installations, you could definitely do that with the help of professionals like this Raleigh Siding Sales & Installation Company. The same goes for the interiors! However, if the building is beyond repair, however, it might be better off to tear it down and start anew. It depends on what you plan on doing with the plot of land. Building from scratch is a great way to create your dream home, but you have to consider all the design stages and you might end up piling more money than you have into the project before it is even finished. Building a house is a big job!
Building Defect Reports
When renovating a property, it is important to know what areas of the property need the most attention, what areas should be re-built completely and what areas can be left alone for the time being. This can be anything from cosmetic damage to structural issues and support needed, for both new properties and historic properties. A building defect report consists of an in-depth look at the property in question, listing any and all major and immediate defects which should be brought to attention. Additionally, when renovating your property, always make sure to hire an accredited construction worker, otherwise, you may find yourself falling foul of even more construction defects. If this were to happen, click here for an example of a construction defect lawyer who may be able to help you.
A defect report meanwhile can cover a wide range of issues, from roof leaks to damp and timber defects, mortar pointing to individual cracking and distortion. The reports are normally commissioned before the sale of a building, but a report can be done at any time to determine the extent of potential repairs needed. This is a good starting point for any renovation and it is also a good way to determine whether or not it is more beneficial for you to start from scratch with a re-build. Sometimes, these problems are manageable. However, some roof problems, for example, can be a lot more problematic. Not only could they result in water coming inside the property, but any cracks in the roof could also attract pests in the house. Pests can cause numerous problems, so it’s important that people contact https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/pest-control/ for help removing these pests from the property. All of this needs to be considered before taking on an old house for renovation.
Planning Permissions
For a completely new build, you will need to get certain planning permissions from your local council in order to make sure that everything you want to build is properly sanctioned in that area. You might think that, because you own the plot of land, you are entitled to build whatever you like on that plot of land, but unfortunately this simply isn’t the case. You will need to take into account the wishes of your neighbours, whether or not any building works planned will encroach on the space and property of others, or if that property is not in keeping with the overall ‘theme’ of nearby properties. For example, several home owners have found themselves having to re-paint or redecorate the exterior of their properties entirely simply because the surrounding neighbourhood did not agree on their colour scheme.
Obtaining the correct planning permissions is essential before you start building, as you could spend money building something that is initially not approved by the council, leading to more time and money wasted rectifying the issue. It can be a lengthy process, but it is essential to make sure that everything goes through the proper channels before the project starts.
Project Management
You might be fairly good at organising the building contractors, interior designers, fitters and installers yourself, or you might need a little help. There are a number of companies available locally and internationally who will lend a hand with professional project management services. These people are specifically experienced in project management, ensuring that your construction project stays in keeping with its time and budget constraints to help reduce stress on your part. They are also able to offer their advice services on suggesting recommended contractors and installers for certain areas of the construction. If you haven’t taken on a project of this size before, hiring a project manager is always recommended.
So those are the basics of starting out your new build or renovation project for an old or run-down property. At the end of the day it is entirely up to you whether or not you choose to re-build or renovate, it is just important to consider all your options before jumping into one project or the other. A property is a massive investment, so it is essential that you take adequate steps to making sure that it is both a successful and a worthwhile investment in both the short and the long term.
Article provided by SSJ Surveyors, an independent firm of Chartered Building Surveyors and Chartered Valuation Surveyors based in Shrewsbury – but operating throughout Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, The West Midlands and Wales – for over 20 years.
