House of Horror - The Challenge (How Much To Put It All Right??)

Wickedkitten

TomsMom wrote: »

OK, so they need to let you take builders, or anyone, into the property to get an idea of cost of any works you want done. Not unreasonable on your part. I can't see why the agents are being obstructive. If they want to sell the property they should let you do this.

As for the survey - you could commission one if you want to, before an offer is made, to help you decide what amount to offer. But that would be down to you to arrange it, no-one else at this stage.

I bet they are probably wanting to know if she is actually serious about buying it before dragging a builder in. Backwards I know, but it seems like estate agents won't actually bend a bit until they know you are actually serious about buying (ie, have put an offer in)

TomsMom

Wickedkitten wrote: »

I bet they are probably wanting to know if she is actually serious about buying it before dragging a builder in. Backwards I know, but it seems like estate agents won't actually bend a bit until they know you are actually serious about buying (ie, have put an offer in)

I'm probably a bit out of touch. I live in a small, rural-ish community where most people know each other and the two estate agents here are nice and helpful. I suppose I'm expecting it to be the same everywhere and would have a shock if I moved back to a big town!

The agent selling the property we bought last year probably couldn't believe their luck - two viewings in two years and we were the second (the first was a nosey local :rolleyes: ). The house was pretty dismal and vastly overpriced (at vendor's insistence against the agent's advice) so they were probably relieved to have anyone interested!

I would still have thought that if they want to sell the property then the agent would be a bit more obliging in the current climate, unless there's a rush of people interested in the property. And bringing in a builder to look at it ought to tell them the person is interested in the property anyway.

slummymummyof3

The property may also need damp proof works, rewiring etc. Have you seen whether it has a fuse box or a consumer unit?
Windows you can buy from a company such as dunsterhouse.co.uk on a made to measure basis where they are supply only - so if you are handy or know someone who is, there are quite a lot of savings you can make here.
We renovate each of the properties we have ever purchased and tend to be 'on the look out' for discontinued ranges etc in advance of when they will be needed which can save a lot of money. A lot also depends on how much work you are prepared/able to do yourself. You are probably looking at around 20k

georgieschinchilla

hi am in same boat but we found similar sort of house/condition in dec and are moving in next month, once the kitchen is in. Some points - found it difficult to get a mortgage - had to out down a huge deposit ( 40%) which leaves very little to work with. But estate agent was farily obliging in letting us take workmen round prior to exchange (or even offer) to measure up and quote. Kitchen - you can start at £500 ex appliances and go upwards frm there - ours is working out at £3500 plus instal (which is being done by a friend at a dialy rate). Workmen - have found th daily rate works out at £100 - £120 per day but may be more. Now looking at windows so if anyone has any tips/hints, please advise - need a small 3 panel bay and a pair of french doors with side panels. Once we have a kitchen we are moving in and doing the rest while we are here. Bets thing is to concentarte on what needs doing 1st and not get distracted e.g. we ended up in DFS looking at Sofas (????). We had the mid range survey but would go for full structural next time as was v wishy washy and also HIP of little use until you get into teh detial with the solicitors - a bit late by then!! GOOD LUCK!

Joannaclaire

I'd say allow a minimum of 20k at a guess. ALso depends where you live and whether you'll do any yourself or pay tradespeople. We bought a 3 bed terrace [strike]moneypit [/strike] house and so far have a list of things we've done or need to do:

5k -knock down wall and sort out dodgy building work done by previous owner
3-4k -new boiler and heating
3.5k plus installing (probably 1.8k) - new kitchen and installing
er keeps going up, but about 3.5k - rewire throughout
3k - remove woodchip from walls, skim where needed and paint and removing artex (skimming)
2.5k - new flooring throughout

We also discovered loads of dodgy things that needed fixing - things that won't show up on surveys and only appear once you start knocking walls down as they were hidden under/behind things, sigh. DO get a full structural that way you get less nasty surprises.

Every major thing seems to cost 3k plus in our case...

It also needs windows sorting (min 1k just to sort the condensing and replace all glass, not the whole windows) and a bathroom revamp (allowing 5k) but our budget won't allow for them at the moment, so we've had to prioritise.

Hope this helps.