Feasibility of DIY restore of an old stone cottage

Donatron

Wondering if anyone has any insight as to how possible it is for an average Joe to complete a restoration of a traditional stone build cottage.

Assuming a structural engineer has reviewed the property and planning is granted etc., would it be plausible to assume a DIYer with correct tools could:?

- Remove cement pointing / render
- Re-point in lime mortar
- External and internal lime plaster
- Erect metal corrugated roof
- Install roof insulation
- Install French drain

From some brief research I've done it looks doable, but I'd appreciate input from anyone with experience! I'd also be interested to hear what kind of ballpark costs could be expected from anyone who has completed similar.

I'd assume that anything relating to electrical, plumbing, foundations, chimneys etc. would need the services of a professional?

TopTec

Well, I think I am an 'average Joe', and I have just finished renovation of my 2 bed cottage, 1/2 is 1830's traditional stone building and the other half 1940's 9"block building. Full re-wire, re-plumb, roofs replaced with old slate, (5 of them), chimney relines, new floors, internal and roof insulation, new ceilings, heating system and slate floors. Every room gutted and rebuilt. Re-vamped/redirected the old drainage systems and new soakaways.

Apart from the roofs, I did everything, employing trades where necessary. Like plastering, new block work, connecting wiring to new consumer units, connecting up the range and oil boiler. I employed labourers, when needed, to help with the heavy lifting.

If in doubt I called an expert and asked for advice or got them to come for a few hour to show me how.

Took a few years but am now enjoying the benefits.

Your list is easily doable apart from the plastering and rendering which needs a proper trade to do. Give yourself time to complete and have a plan all the way avoiding unnecessary work. Set up an account with a couple of local building suppliers, which I regret I didn't do sooner.

All in all I reckon I spent north of 60k to finish. (The 5 slate roofs alone cost 25k).

TT

BrokenArrows

Obvious depends on your DIY ability.

Everything would be possible.
The only issue would be how good you want the plastering to be. If your happy with a not so professional finish then you could do the plastering, but I would advise you to get a professional in to do this as its going to be a main this people will see if you get it wrong and once the plaster is on the wall and dried the only way to fix is to plaster it again.

jmBuildExt

TopTec wrote: »

Took a few years

This is the main point to take note.... My fisrt house was a wreck (standard run of the mill 3 bed semi) and I hadn't the funds to get anyone in - so did most of it myself. But it takes time. Especially if you are working 9-5 ...

You will always get there eventually, but depends on how much you and your family value your time.

iano.p

My first house was a 1920 house. I am a carpenter but had feck all money and young at the time. I done almost all the work myself and I was the labour for the few trades I hired. It takes time because every free time you have something has to be done. It's hard going but the savings and satisfaction of doing it yourself is great.

BrokenArrows

Ya ive been renovating my house since we moved in last May.
I get home around 6:30-7pm every day, attempt to do a few bits and work at it most weekends.

I got the house to a comfortable condition in early November but not much has been done since them (except finish the tiling in the bathroom).

Its very hard to do anything in the evenings when its dark and wet outside. Outside is the only place i have left for cutting timber etc.

Im very disappointed that this long weekend is going to be a rainy one. I was hoping to get a lot done.