Have the choice between a newer build and a Victorian terrace - help!

Sarahspangles

subjecttocontract said:

Presumably the running costs for a Victorian house could be much higher than a modern build because insulation will be less. Have you checked the EPCs for both......winter is coming.

But not higher than the comparator which is an 80s Barratt.

Having owned one, you just get used to wearing slippers and having a fleece or cardie in the winter for the rooms you don’t keep as cosy. 

ThisIsWeird

subjecttocontract said:

Presumably the running costs for a Victorian house could be much higher than a modern build because insulation will be less. Have you checked the EPCs for both......winter is coming.

It'll almost certainly be higher, yes, but I doubt by a significant amount. The external wall areas are quite small, and it's mid-terrace, which is always good.

ThisIsWeird

caprikid1 said:

That looks lovely. 

It shooo is. Imagine it with a proper timber door, and sash-style windows (doesn't have to be real 'sash', but a more sympathetic style).

That stonework will need sorting, tho', but I'm sure there are solutions to it.

AO911, I'd be contacting some stonemasons in the 'hood and asking them how this can be sorted, and for how much. Be as pre-informed as you can be.

Gorgeous.

ShinyStarlight1

I would go with the one that feels more like you.

The small niggles in the other one will mushroom over time.

A0911

ThisIsWeird said:

Hi AO911.
I don't see a link to the Barratt home, but I suspect I know what I'll see anyhoo.
Provided the roof is in decent order - it doesn't have to be perfect, just good for 10+ years with only light maintenance, and almost certainly it will be - then it looks as tho' all that house will demand of you is attention to the back and front walls as and when required, and these are pretty small areas in the scheme of things.

You should have your pick of highly experienced builders in your area for any repointing and making good it may require over time, and I bet they are reasonable too.

(Shame about the front window style, but I guess they'll need replacing at some point too...)

No idea how to sort that stone surround issue - perhaps Stuart will see this and comment.
Obvious drawback with the Viccy - the front door enters directly into your sitting room. Not good in winter when answering the door. But, that's the way it is!
The sitting room flooring is an interesting choice... Too frenetic to my eyes, and I think it would have a lot more character if replaced with a 'raw' wood finish, either pine (for originality) or a distressed oak. More cosy. (I'm not suggesting 'solid', but an equivalent LVT or similar.)
It shouldn't be difficult to heat that house, even tho it won't have modern insulation levels.

You are clearly doing well at your place of work, so imagine stepping off the train after a solid day, and how you'll feel the moment your toes touch the platform, and you know you'll be heading off in one of two directions to get to your new home. And how you'll feel when you insert the key in your door.
There you go - you've just decided

Thank you, your comment was so lovely to read first thing this morning  

I actually don't mind the front door issue too much, it's a compromise I can live with. I'll get a big curtain covering the window and door for warmth. 

I agree about the flooring! I'd definitely be replacing it with what you suggest. I don't hate it for now, but agree it needs to be more sympathetic to the house.

A0911

Sarahspangles said:

EssexHebridean said:

Buy the terrace for goodness sake - life is way too short to live in a house which, even at this stage, you have described as claustrophobic! 

Seconded (though at this point it’s more like tenthed)

Things I miss about an Edwardian town house I used to own:

Having a pulley airer.
You can have freestanding wardrobes and still put luggage or storage boxes on top.
There’s (possibly) an actual pantry.
If you fix something to a wall it takes forever to drill but forever is how long that thing is staying up.

A pulley airer is my actual dream. I love them. No pantry but good cupboards and a cellar. 

A0911

subjecttocontract said:

Presumably the running costs for a Victorian house could be much higher than a modern build because insulation will be less. Have you checked the EPCs for both......winter is coming.

They are both a C, so not too worried. Vicky T will be colder but does have a log burner too. 

Sarahspangles

A0911 said:

subjecttocontract said:

Presumably the running costs for a Victorian house could be much higher than a modern build because insulation will be less. Have you checked the EPCs for both......winter is coming.

They are both a C, so not too worried. Vicky T will be colder but does have a log burner too. 

You’ve already named it!!

A0911

Skiddaw1 said:

Go with the terrace. We lived in one for 20 years and it was a lovely wee house. Yes, an older property always needs maintanance, but Victorian terraced houses were built to last in our experience at least, and despite a whole list of things our survey threw up everything ticked over nicely and we did what needed doing when we'd saved up enough. Honestly, OP, I really don't think you'll regret it. I think the house is gorgeous.

Thanks Skiddaw, this is so helpful. I've been feeling so sad about the Barratt. I've never liked new builds, even older ones, but the ex-councils round here need loads of work in my price bracket. I've wanted a terrace all along but have been put off by the maintenance. I'm coming to the conclusion that I can't choose a home based off fear, and that any house will have issues, so best to pick one I like and go with it. 

A0911

ThisIsWeird said:

caprikid1 said:

That looks lovely. 

It shooo is. Imagine it with a proper timber door, and sash-style windows (doesn't have to be real 'sash', but a more sympathetic style).

That stonework will need sorting, tho', but I'm sure there are solutions to it.

AO911, I'd be contacting some stonemasons in the 'hood and asking them how this can be sorted, and for how much. Be as pre-informed as you can be.

Gorgeous.

Do you mean the stonework around the front door? I'll chat to some. The door is definitely getting replaced.