Pitfalls of a money pit

Ray Palmer wrote: »

I believe you have been mislead. While yes you would have to replace the windows with sash windows if replacing the original windows that is not the case if the originals are gone. The rule in that case is you can do what you like. The key part is conserve and you don't have anything to conserve if it already gone.

Are people sure they are talking about 100 year old houses? I have a georgian property and it doesn't have preservation order. Houses from 1910s very rarely have such such orders.

I've read the Statement of Character for the ACA and it's quite specific.

Our house was built in the 1910's/1920's as part of, what was at the time, the largest civic construction project undertaken in Ireland (St Ita's Asylum in Portrane) and the terrace we're in is, IIRC, the last example of it's type in the country which has it listed as an Architectural Conservation Area. So, while the house itself isn't a "listed" or "protected" structure, it's outwards appearance has to conform to that of our neighbours.

I'm sure I could challenge the council on it legally (and win) if I wanted to but there are other aspects of the ACA that work in our favour (large fields behind our house that can't be developed) so I'm not inclined to challenge them on it and quite frankly, architecturally speaking, they're right: the original windows look best in the properties.

I'll be using the leeway between an ACA and a listed building to justify installing double-glazed versions of the original sash though.

awec wrote: »

I am skeptical that this is possible, unless the work is very superficial.

If you're doing anything substantial, doing it room by room over time is going to cost a lot more in the long run (or not even make sense), as well as being incredibly irritating for years.

if its a money issue, which it usually is. its typically the kitchen and bathroom if they need renovating, that really suck up a huge amount. the other rooms arent usually too expensive.

awec wrote: »

I am skeptical that this is possible, unless the work is very superficial.

If you're doing anything substantial, doing it room by room over time is going to cost a lot more in the long run (or not even make sense), as well as being incredibly irritating for years.

You do the large scale, messy stuff first, but then you can "decorate" room by room over years if necessary.

I got wiring and plumbing and all rooms skimmed, new windows but then painted, floored etc over a couple of years.

Doing 1 bathroom rather than 2 or 3 is a significant saving.

awec wrote: »

Yes, but painting and flooring is purely superficial stuff, which is kind of my point.

You're not going to re-wire, re-plumb, re-plaster or whatever a house one room at a time. You're not going to upgrade the heating one room at a time, or change the windows one room at a time etc. That would be absolutely daft.

Yep...but I dont think anyone advised doing that....

Ray Palmer wrote: »

I believe you have been mislead. While yes you would have to replace the windows with sash windows if replacing the original windows that is not the case if the originals are gone. The rule in that case is you can do what you like. The key part is conserve and you don't have anything to conserve if it already gone.

Are people sure they are talking about 100 year old houses? I have a georgian property and it doesn't have preservation order. Houses from 1910s very rarely have such such orders.

Absolutely incorrect as far as DCC are concerned( mine has original late Victorian windows but a number of neighbours have 70s/80s pvc/aluminium. If they want to remove those, the only option is to commission bespoke wooden sash windows consistent with what the originals would have been. Undoubtedly some break this rule but that’s the exception.

Mine is 1880s and the whole street is protected. Adjacent streets are more mixed and, in my opinion, those which are not entirely protected have a higher proportion of lawyers who’ve successfully lobbied against. Orwell Park (if you know it) is a classic example of a street with few protected strucutures despite many fine examples which should be protected. Rathgar Road, on the other hand, is a hodge lodge and almost 100% protected to the extent that DCC objected to the removal of mid 20th century pebble dash on a much older house.

smokingman wrote: »

House is good to move into already but windows are single pane and need replacing. There's a whole new kitchen needed and possible chimney work. 70s extension is rough but could do that while living there. It's in Kildare

Are you sure the windows need replacing? Its a myth that single glazing makes a house uncomfortable. Maybe they can be repaired. Sashs can normally be repaired.