Found a house but it needs work .... is it still worth it?

suebfg

I didn't think replacing the wooden windows with UPVC would add value or devalue (unless out of character with the house)

pleasedelete

My house is worth about 50k less because it has upvc windows!

Replacing them back to wood will be 75k (but we are doing it). The upvc are 15 years old and leaking. The rest of the road are 120 year old wood and going strong.

Ours were changed because last owner wanted to modernise the house- a decision that cost him twice- once for the windows and once when he wanted to sell.

Wood doesn't need regular painting. With modern paints they last for years and years.

halfone

For me, a well-done replacement would add some value, as I'd see it as updating.
(Except if it's not appropriate for the house, as you say, suebfg)

hcb42

75K is excessive for returning them to wood surely?

We would never get away with upvc in our house, and I think we paid about £13K for 12 sash windows in wood, but that involved them all being hand restored, guy was here for weeks

pleasedelete

hcb42 wrote: »

75K is excessive for returning them to wood surely?

We would never get away with upvc in our house, and I think we paid about £13K for 12 sash windows in wood, but that involved them all being hand restored, guy was here for weeks

Not really. A lot of very big windows- many are shaped. 33 windows- 1 full door- 3 part doors - most at least 6 foot high.

My brother has a Bryant house about 15 years old. Nice estate. He built an extension and at same time changed wood windows to upvc. When he came to sell 3 different agents told him that he had devalued the house by changing the windows. Generally wood is associated with better quality modern builds.

casper_g

There are uPVC Windows and uPVC windows. Cheap-and-nasty ones on a character property, especially one with a lot of shaped "feature" windows would certainly reduce the price you'd get - and the ease with which you could sell - but there are good ones available. I was concerned when I heard my neighbours planned to get uPVC Windows (house was built c. 1930) but actually they did a great job of matching the original proportions, incorporated the original stained glass lights and used black frames with white beading to match our adjoining property very closely. I was very impressed!

Decent uPVC windows would be fine on a property built in the late 80s/early 90s I'm sure.

sashman

completely agree with casper_g

The windows you describe are appropriate. Coloured frames, lead lights, attention to detail etc, it is ALL about good design and style.

"Double glazing" (PVC or timber) can destroy character and devalue homes, however buying better quality products that have the appropriate design, style and character wont.

sashman

BettiePage

shirlgirl2004 wrote: »

The downstairs wc was about £1,500 but was done on a budget.

Wow, you must have expensive taste (and a lovely looking home I might add). :eek: