Renovating my 1890's House

renovation_man

You will always find unforseen work somewhere during the renovation, I could mention a few nightmares that various clients have had once the walls and timbers have been exposed.

Big_Hairy_Spider

Great thread.

Am currently renovating an 1854 Victorian (stone) cottage and doing the work largely by myself. Itinerary is pretty pretty much the same as discussed above, and am also living in it as the works progress. The three main issues I've found are;

Firstly, the amount of dirt, dust generated. Unbelievable is an under statement. For every hour spent working another is spent cleaning, and that is a conservative estimate.

Secondly, it's been a constant battle to avoid the need of going down the planning permission / builders regs route. I've been very lucky so far. The Victorians built to last. I also think I'm my structual engineers best customer as we work on solutions to keep the council at bay.

Thirdly, time. There wasn't a straight edge in the house. Every job has had to be meticulously planned and executed.

Scariest moment was tanking the cellar. In the floor foundations was a pile of clothes, boots, and the ground covered in lime in an oval shape about 8" in length. I was half expecting to call the authorities as I excavated. Given the age and the habit of rural burials that way for the poor, needed a stiff whiskey afterwards.

On the plus the skills developed have been invaluable. Currently well under budget financially but well over running in time elapsed. Tradesmen employed as and when necessary. The original features have been largely kept and added to from scouring reclamation yards and ebay. The house has kept it's original Victorian feel.

About six months to go. Currently restoring a cast iron four poster.

1trainer1

Today was a major day as we have finally got the trees removed from our back garden, also got all weeds that were growing onto our walls.

front and side garden was also cleaned making the house tree free.

when I go home tonight we will start cleaning the garden up and there will be light in our living room now....:j

essexman77

If your doing the windows next i think quickslide are the chepest iv installed them all over my 1890s cottage they look as close to the orignals windows as you can get.I bought my house needing all the work you say im still doing work today although it was finished to liable standard many years ago always more work pops up on these old houses.