Advice for FTB viewing a victorian redbrick in need of full restoration

DanMc

Hi,

I'm going to view a 2 storey mid terrace Victorian redbrick circa 1400 sqft with return on Saturday. We're first time buyers and don't have a background in developing or restoring so we're looking for some advice.

Part 1.

The house hasn't been lived in for 4 years and hasn't had electricity since then. The windows appear to be aluminium, probably single glazed. The agent has told us that it needs to be completely refurbished but there's no internal photos so apart from this I've little other information. I'm trying to compile a checklist of things to look out for on a first viewing. Obviously we'll be going back with surveyors and builders if we go further and I know there's not a whole lot someone without any experience can gauge but I'd like to get as much info as possible from this viewing.

Check list so far is:

Roof - gauge condition, re-roof or just some tiles.
Fire block - check if there's a fire block between it and it's neighbours in the attic.
Damp - any obvious signs. I'd guess there's probably no damp proof membrane.
Woodworm or dryrot (assuming I can google some pointers on how to spot them)
Any other pointers (I'm sure there are lots)

Part 2.

Estimating potential costs

What is a rough cost per sqft for:
a) basics only i.e. what could we wire and plumb it for?
b) fully finished
I know there's a huge amount of things that will be factors in this, UFH, CAT6, type of finish etc. but again rough guides for now is fine.

A rough cost for an attic conversion in a house this size (I believe it's been done in neighbours houses)?

What other costs are involved in a house purchase:
House insurance
Life insurance
Solicitors fees
ESB connection costs
Mortgage repayment insurance?
Others?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

DanMc

DanMc

Forgot to say it's currently in 5 units.

Mellor

Check is it a protected structure.

DanMc

Mellor wrote: »

Check is it a protected structure.

Hi Mellor, thanks for the reply. Checked and it's not.

sinnerboy

DanMc wrote: »

Hi,

I'm going to view a 2 storey mid terrace Victorian redbrick circa 1400 sqft with return on Saturday. We're first time buyers and don't have a background in developing or restoring so we're looking for some advice.

DanMc

Get an architects condition report

DanMc wrote: »

Part 1.

The house hasn't been lived in for 4 years and hasn't had electricity since then. The windows appear to be aluminium, probably single glazed. The agent has told us that it needs to be completely refurbished but there's no internal photos so apart from this I've little other information. I'm trying to compile a checklist of things to look out for on a first viewing. Obviously we'll be going back with surveyors and builders if we go further and I know there's not a whole lot someone without any experience can gauge but I'd like to get as much info as possible from this viewing.

Check list so far is:

Roof - gauge condition, re-roof or just some tiles.
Fire block - check if there's a fire block between it and it's neighbours in the attic.
Damp - any obvious signs. I'd guess there's probably no damp proof membrane.
Woodworm or dryrot (assuming I can google some pointers on how to spot them)
Any other pointers (I'm sure there are lots)

Part 2.

Estimating potential costs

What is a rough cost per sqft for:
a) basics only i.e. what could we wire and plumb it for?
b) fully finished
I know there's a huge amount of things that will be factors in this, UFH, CAT6, type of finish etc. but again rough guides for now is fine.

A rough cost for an attic conversion in a house this size (I believe it's been done in neighbours houses)?


DanMc

look here

http://www.bidjob.ie/

DanMc wrote: »

Hi,

What other costs are involved in a house purchase:
House insurance
Life insurance
Solicitors fees
ESB connection costs
Mortgage repayment insurance?
Others?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

DanMc

look here

http://www.mortgages.ie/

ircoha

OP: be aware that if u convert the attic into habitable space, then the fire regs are much more onerous than for a 2 storey.

There is loads on this forum about attic conversions.

This link is just a start
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,1657,en.pdf

See this link for the full set of TGD's
http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/

Good luck with project: if u take it on, check for marriage insurance also:)

DanMc

ircoha wrote: »

OP: be aware that if u convert the attic into habitable space, then the fire regs are much more onerous than for a 2 storey.

There is loads on this forum about attic conversions.

This link is just a start
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,1657,en.pdf

See this link for the full set of TGD's
http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/

Good luck with project: if u take it on, check for marriage insurance also:)

Thanks to all for your replies. Some really useful information in there. That particular house was more of a knock and rebuild (almost) than a renovation so it's on to the next offering. Your replies will help though no matter what we end up going with so again a big thank you for them.

DanMc