Wobble

CallMeMrs

In the process of buying a house which is perfect for us and very unique in our area. It really is quite a find. 

It is in desperate need of work, but this was reflected in our offer. 

We’ve just had the survey back and seeing it all in black and white has made us think “what are we doing???”

We’re not going to pull out because we would be stupid to do so (the house really is quite a find and will be incredible once done), but the work is daunting with two young children. 

Does anyone have any top tips for living through a renovation with children please? 

AdrianC

CallMeMrs said:

It is in desperate need of work, but this was reflected in our offer. 

We’ve just had the survey back and seeing it all in black and white has made us think “what are we doing???”

Go on, how bad is it?
Is there anything you weren't expecting, or is it just seeing it written down?

We’re not going to pull out because we would be stupid to do so (the house really is quite a find and will be incredible once done), but the work is daunting with two young children. 

Does anyone have any top tips for living through a renovation with children please? 

How old are the kids, and what are they like?
Are they the type of kids who will see it as an adventure, and maybe even get involved in small ways?
If they're a bit older, could it even be a good start in a career in the trades for them?

How habitable will the place remain at the lowest of low points of work? Or will you be living elsewhere while it's going on?

Bonniepurple

AdrianC said:

CallMeMrs said:

It is in desperate need of work, but this was reflected in our offer. 

We’ve just had the survey back and seeing it all in black and white has made us think “what are we doing???”

Go on, how bad is it?
Is there anything you weren't expecting, or is it just seeing it written down?

We’re not going to pull out because we would be stupid to do so (the house really is quite a find and will be incredible once done), but the work is daunting with two young children. 

Does anyone have any top tips for living through a renovation with children please? 

How old are the kids, and what are they like?
Are they the type of kids who will see it as an adventure, and maybe even get involved in small ways?
If they're a bit older, could it even be a good start in a career in the trades for them?

How habitable will the place remain at the lowest of low points of work? Or will you be living elsewhere while it's going on?

Or are the kids teens who will only appear at irregular intervals (usually at the most awkward moments) for food, drink or money before retreating back to their caves (rooms) without a second glance at the chaos surrounding them?

OP, the survey is always daunting.  You’ve seen the house, you know that it needs work.  I always work on the basis that it has to be habitable and functional.  Dodgy decor? Fine.  Avocado bathroom?  So long as the loo flushes and the taps run, fine.  Electrics not up to modern standards?  Fine.  Ancient electrics which pre date the War (note, I am not specifying which war!) and have not been touched in decades- get a sparky to check them out before you plug the kettle in.

Good luck!

dimbo61

I have lived ( survived ) through a couple of renovations and it's not fun with 2 adults living on a building site never mind young children.
It depends on what needs doing and the size and layout of the property.
Last renovation involved digging up the kitchen floor, taking down walls and lifting floorboard for rewire.
Replastering of every wall and new kitchen fitted 6 weeks after digging up floor ! 
Not living in the property at the time thank goodness

CallMeMrs

Thanks all. I took a builder on the second viewing so we were well aware of most of the faults and built this into the price we offered. A couple of surprises (costly unfortunately) but not bad enough to make us pull out. It’s more seeing it all written down.

The kids are 4 and 9, but I think we’ll likely be able to get them involved in some bits. 

House is habitable, but we will be living with a lot of disruption. Some of the floorboards were flagged as sounding loose, but may just need a bit of TLC (hopefully). I don’t think we’ll necessarily need to move out for any of the work, but we’ll see. My mum is nearby if the worst comes to the worst. 

Suseka97

I have to admit I'm not one of those people who has ever considered buying a 'doer-upper' - but I love watching programs showing what can be achieved by people who do.  Just think to the future and how wonderful it will be and how much enjoyment you'll get from turning this into the house of your dreams.  I'm sure there will be ups and downs along the way - but hold on to your original vision and don't think about the whole bigger project.  You only need it to be habitable and if you did have to move out for a bit, with family close by that's a great fallback  

GDB2222

If there’s any heavy construction work going on (walls coming down beams going up) it would be incredibly dangerous to have young children on site. If it’s just that you won’t have a working bathroom for a week, the kids will be fine with having a wash at grandma’s.

 I’d try to get all the really, really dirty work done in one go. Rewiring usually involves channeling the plaster, for example. Take the floor up once and do all the plumbing and electrical work in one go. Even if there’s nothing for the plumbing to connect to yet. You really don’t want to be living in the property whilst this is happening.

CallMeMrs

Thanks, that’s really helpful. We are in rented at the moment so hoping to be able to stay in our rental for a month so that we can get the big stuff done with the kids out of the way. That will of course depend on timing and the availability of the people doing the work. 

wilfred30

That sounds like a very sensible plan.  You're lucky to be able to do that.  I hope it goes well for you 

Swri12345

can you can you afford to stay in your rental while the all the work is done?

CallMeMrs

We’re hoping to just need a month cross over. If the work takes longer than that then we’ll move to my mum’s.