"Woolaway" Construction

stator

If you own a bungalow, it would be cheaper just to build new walls on the outside of the existing ones, and put a new roof on. In effect just having a huge extension. You don't have to worry about supporting the upstairs whilst you live in it.

Davesnave

stator wrote: »

If you own a bungalow, it would be cheaper just to build new walls on the outside of the existing ones, and put a new roof on. In effect just having a huge extension. You don't have to worry about supporting the upstairs whilst you live in it.

Having lived in a bungalow whilst major structural was in progress, I can tell you there's quite a lot to worry about, but yes, it's possible.

When a Woolaway bungalow was re-skinned near me, the outside walls were removed/replaced progressively rather than all at once and the missing sections were supported with acrow props. The original roof was retained.

MR_M_P

I'm going to look at one in next few days, it has brick walls right around the exterior, am I correct thinking it has been already repaired/upgraded?

Davesnave

All the Woolaways I've seen have been rendered, so it sounds plausible that the one you describe has had this sort of thing done:


http://www.valley-developments.co.uk/woolawaybungalow.html

stator

MR_M_P wrote: »

I'm going to look at one in next few days, it has brick walls right around the exterior, am I correct thinking it has been already repaired/upgraded?

It means something has been done to it.
Whether it was a proper repair with certificate or a complete bodge job by some guy called Dave who has disappeared is something you will have to ask the vendor about.
If you want a mortgage they will want the PRC Certificate otherwise walk away

mick1111

OP, I was wondering if you went ahead with the purchase in the end, and what your decision-making was either way? We're in the process of buying a bungalow with a huge garden in a lovely village, and our surveyor said it's concrete panel and suggested replacing the external skin if we buy it. The lender's valuation survey has the walls as "LPS: Woolaway bungalow", so I guess it's similar to what you looked at.

It's been extended on both sides with cavity blocks and we plan to do a big extension at the rear in a few years time, which would replace the original panels anyway, so re-skinning would "only" involve the original section of the front wall (~10m). Apart from the concrete panels (I've been Googling furiously for a few days), we love the place so we're not sure if the LPS walls should be a deal-breaker or not...

Davesnave

mick1111 wrote: »

It's been extended on both sides with cavity blocks and we plan to do a big extension at the rear in a few years time....

If it's been extended at both ends already, you should ascertain the local authority's attitude towards such an extension at an early stage.



Ours were fine, but it's as well to check.

LandyAndy

stator wrote: »

Whether it was a proper repair with certificate or a complete bodge job by some guy called Dave

Davesnave wrote: »

If it's been extended at both ends already, you should ascertain the local authority's attitude towards such an extension at an early stage.



Ours were fine, but it's as well to check.

Did they know your name? :cool:

Davesnave

LandyAndy wrote: »

Did they know your name? :cool:

Not at that stage. It was a year or two later when I started the "bodge job!" :rotfl:

mick1111

Davesnave wrote: »

If it's been extended at both ends already, you should ascertain the local authority's attitude towards such an extension at an early stage.



Ours were fine, but it's as well to check.

Ah yes, good point. Would this normally just be a quick email to the planning department?