The Dos And Don’ts Of Listed Building Restoration

Restoring a listed building can be fraught with issues and a number of hops through with you will be expected to jump. But with a little preparation and a few calls to the right people, you can help make the process go much smoother and complete your project with minimal delays.

It’s easy to get inspired watching the many TV shows about restoring homes and buildings, but unlike Dick Strawbridge and his Escape to the Chateau series, it’s important to know what to and what not to do when restoring a listed building. Here are five dos and three don’ts to keep in mind.

The Do's of Listed Building Restoration

1. Know your VAT rights. Energy performance improvements within a renovation project will only trigger 5 per cent VAT, so be sure to check before you pay bills, as VAT cannot be reclaimed after.

2. Ensure you have listed building insurance. Seek out a specialist insurance company that deals with listed buildings, who will be able to reinstate you for the right materials to match the house if disaster strikes.

3. Get to know your local conservation officer. They can become a great ally, and will know other listed building owners, who may have encountered similar problems as you, and have solutions.

4. Ensure building consent has been granted before you buy. Any unapproved works carried out by previous owners will become your liability otherwise.

5. Stay organised! Keep all permissions and plans after work is completed, you will need these if you sell your home in the future

The Don'ts of Listed Building Restoration

1. Don’t combine modern with traditional repair methods. Using cement in buildings likely made with Lime Mortar can cause irreparable damage.

2. Don’t remove or alter original architectural features, as they are often integral to the building’s listed status.

3. Don’t rush! Carefully consider any changes you wish to make, and ensure you get advice from professionals and speak to the Conservation office and Historic England. The building will have stood doer many years, so a few months of consideration will be well spent.

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration, talk to us today.