So.......... you want to renovate an old building?

5 Sep

There can be a lot of reasons to renovate or repurpose an old building.

For starters it can be easier to get a mortgage to renovate, and one can get more money than for a new build home.

That being said however, here are the pros and cons of renovating your new home.

Pros:

There is a very high chance that your home will be entirely unique with historical heritage.
Your home will be better for the environment. It's better to retain an existing structure than to build an entirely new home.
The site on which your home will sit will also be unique. One that you would probably not get should you go down the traditional route.

Cons

Cost is a big one. A listed building can restrict what you can do. The result may not always match your vision.
Thermal Efficiency. An older building will not be as good at retaining heat and may cost a lot more to keep ambient.
Structural issues: The foundations of a lot of repurposed building will not have had a dwelling in mind at the time of construction. The building may need to be underpinned, adding more cost to your dream home.

The best advice we can give however is to only use an experienced architect with knowledge in this area.

They will give you the best advice, and help you make your decision, before any large outlay.

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