4 Tips For Renovating A Period Property
Renovating a period property brings the reward of a characterful and unique home, which can be a joy to live in. However, often these properties have not been well treated over the years, and it may take a lot of hard work to bring them up to a decent standard. Here are a few of the major points to consider when renovating an older building.
Always check if you need planning permission
Listed buildings, whether Grade I or II, will need planning permission and Listed Building Consent before even seemly essential and minor alterations, both inside and outside the property. For example, you cannot replace the windows in a listed building without consent, and in some cases, you may be asked to refurbish rather than replace them.
Even if the building is not listed, you may well need planning permission for certain alternations or extensions. Furthermore, it is advisable to check if the building is within a conservation area. These are areas of particular historical and architectural interest, which are subject to extra planning controls and restrictions.
Have a full survey carried out
It is definitely worth investing in a full structural house survey, rather than a more basic investigation, to get a thorough picture of the condition of the property. They are more expensive than regular surveys, but could save you thousands of pounds in the future, when unwelcome problems can unexpectedly rear their head.
A full structural survey will uncover any hidden defects, and recommend the most appropriate course of action for remedial work.
Check if you need to serve a Party Wall Notice
If you are planning to carry out work near or on a shared boundary, either internally or externally, you will need planning permission, and you will also need to let your neighbours know. It’s best practice to do this during an informal chat if possible, but you are legally obliged to back it up with a Party Wall Notice.
A party wall notice tells your neighbour about plans to work on the existing party wall or structure, or near to the foundation level of their property. You must give your neighbour at least two month’s notice, and obtain their written consent in the form of a Party Wall Agreement.
Even if you are not working on the party wall, it is advisable to build up good relations with your neighbours, especially if they will have a lot of dust, noise, and disruption going on during the works.
Maintain the original features of the property
Part of the charm of an older building are period features such as fireplaces, cornices, and floorboards. Where possible, it is far better to restore rather than replace them, even in a non-listed building.
Statement features, such as dado rails, ceiling coving, high skirting boards, period fireplaces, and architraves around windows and doors, are highly sought after in houses of Georgian, Edwardian, or Victorian vintage. If you want a second opinion as to whether they can be salvaged, it’s worth talking to a company which specialises in cornice restoration in London.