I've decided to call it the money pit!

lessonlearned

My eldest son bought his first money pit in July.

The surveyor gave him some sound advice about which order to fix things.

Top priority - sort out anything which can kill you, so that would be gas and electrics.

2nd Priority - Make it watertight - so that might be roof, guttering etc.

3rd - anything that would cost substantially more if you neglected it now - ie damp, woodworm infestation etc, brickwork repointing.

After that just do one room at a time.

I would add a couple of provisos to that.

If it's going to take years then rather than live in squalor then make the place as comfortable and presentable as you can - just a cheap and cheerful quick fix - emulsion and cheap carpets - set yourself a tiny budget and stick to it. A few gallons of paint and a bit of cheap contract carpet can work wonders.

Also if you are thinking of revamping the garden or are having to start from scratch, start sooner rather than later, even if it's just a bit at a time. You can save money by buying smaller plants. shrubs, trees etc Mature shrubs and trees cost serious money.

I always have a small "nursery" garden, often just pots, where I start cuttings etc, then I can plant them on. I often share cuttings, divided perennials etc with friends and neighbours.

My son took possession of his house at the end of July.

Week 1 we scrapped the carpets (don't ask) and then scrubbed, bleached and disinfected the whole house from top to bottom - more than once:eek:.

Week 1 - gas and electrics checked - yes we had an up to date electrical certificate because it had been let out to tenants. Ha!! Not worth the paper it was written on. Damn good job I never take these things at face value and insisted on getting everything checked over by my own team of trusted trades.

(Surveys do not check gas and electrics).

Week 2 - New CU fitted, main earthing upgraded. Chimneys swept, multi fuel burner checked and serviced. Emergency repair/strengthening to a couple of floor joists.

After that, over the last couple of months, we've done some emergency pointing to brickwork - will continue after the winter.

2 new staircases fitted.

Dangerous greenhouse demolished, lopped 1/3rd of tree nearest house, 4 more to go - various shrubs and trees have had their first trim, some of the vegetation hacked back, several goes at tackling the weeds, ivy removed from side of house, drains cleaned, air-bricks to cellars unblocked ....some damn fool decided they let in too much air and blocked them up - duh that's what they are there for:rotfl:

Electrician coming next week - partial rewire and upgrade. New boiler at the end of the month.

Joiner back next week to replace and strengthen some floor joists, check and treat for any woodworm etc.

Awaiting roofer - hoping to get that done before the winter sets in but it's looking a bit late now.

Son has started upgrading insulation, laid one carpet and is now getting busy with the cream emulsion first room for a quick fix.

Good progress so far but it's going to be a long job.

This weekend I'm hoping to plant some spring bulbs etc, weed the courtyard, all depends on the weather.

Slow but sure wins the race.....

My second son is just in the process of buying his very own money pit - hoping to complete by the end of December.

The merry go round starts again.....

lessonlearned

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

You take the wrong approach.

Plan of attack, should be sympathetic renovation.

The biggest hassle is a rewire in my oppinion, as every room will need redecorating.

Lets say rewiring it is £2K. Saved £200 a month for 1 year. Then have it done. Do no Redecorate yet

Lets say new heating is £2K. Do this year 2

Lets say DIY kitchen is £2K Year 3

Then start with one room at a time, Redecorate, 1 room per season.

That's year 4 and 5.

Then the Bathroom Year 6.

You say it's just about livable in, so just prioritise and make a plan. In 6 years it will be perfect, and you'll have spent £12K.

Rewire and heating prices seem a bit low.

mysterywoman10

I think nearly all the houses built in the late 1980's were like this. Ours was we've lived in it since 1993! So it was pretty new when we bought it only had one young couple own it before us and they covered it in pink wall paper from top to bottom :rotfl:

We've done nearly everything to it, including a new boiler please see my comment on other thread re "power flushing", really need some advice on the small bore system if any could possibly help??

The electrics we have had a new consumer board fitted a while back and that didn't cost too much.

I daren't think or add up what we've spent on the house over the last 20 years from all new windows, to facias, decorating, changing rooms, converting the garage for our disabled daughter, small conservatory, kitchen etc. But I think with any house there will always be something that one might want to do but as you say we don't really need to do it unless it's safety or heating. The rest is cosmetic and it's because we want to live somewhere that pleases us.

I forgot the en-suite now that I hated from the day we moved in, it was horrible so badly designed and a revolting peach colour with a wall in the middle although it was tiny space to start with for the shower! Last year we finally had it done (it cost over £3000 in the end) and involved having to move a plasterboard wall 9" to get the shower in but I love it and it's my favourite room in the house .

Think of it as a labour of love and by the time you get it all finished it will be time to start again :eek:

And the garden well.......I dare not add it up probably not very MSE pc I know