Maintenance and running costs for a larger, older house

Bramble194

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82114645#Comment_82114645

No, thankfully it's not listed

stuart45

Have you checked the total rebuild cost, as this effects the price of your home insurance. Older properties often cost more, but luckily it's not listed as 5 grand a year insurance costs are not unknown.

Bigphil1474

Our old house was solid brick front and back, but was a mid terrace so a bit different. We did have issues with damp on the front wall which we sorted by improving the insulation. Even so, the damp wasn't that bad. I would say your bigger problem is the high ceilings as you are heating a good third of the room that you don't use. Our old house had quite low ceilings until we had some work done. Turned out there were 2 ceilings that had been added over the years and we ended up going back to the original height. Stupid idea. We eventually had to get a bigger radiator and the curtains had to be specially made which cost us a fortune (all relative, but I've bought cars for less money, not good cars mind).

Hopefully that's been done already but bear that in mind for any future changes. Re external wood, if it's well looked after should last years. Better to keep up with it than have to replace it all. Personally, I'd see painting that as a DIY job, depending on any height issues.

Bramble194

Thanks all for responses so far.

The estate agent has provided us with a summary document they have prepared of a previous survey (a couple of previous sales on the property fell through due to personal issues of the buyers, and one of them shared their survey with the sellers).

It's a 5-page document written by the agent which the agent framed as them trying to be extra helpful, but doing some research on the internet, am I right in thinking that if previous surveys uncovered issues then the agent is actually obliged to inform us of them?

I've copied an expert about the roof below, and am finding it hard to tell if that suggests there's not much to worry about and it's just the surveyor/agent covering their own back or if, given this is the agents' own (perhaps optimistic) wording, and that there are further similar comments about various other areas of the property, this summary report hints at underlying issues we should be more concerned about?

The clay-tiled roof is an older covering and requires a programme of maintenance. Items identifed include some slipped or weathered tiles. localised moss growth and repairs to ridge/verge mortar and flashing details. Evidence of active internal leakage at the time of inspection and complete replacement of the main roof is not presently considered necessary. Localised repairs and regular maintenance are recommended, with the usual expectation that a roof of this age will eventually require more substantial renewal as part of longer-term ownership.

Albermarle

Unless I missed it, I do not think it has actually been stated what the heating system is ( in new or old house).

I guess everybody has presumed it is gas central heating in both. Also it will matter if the whole house has to be warm, or some rooms can be left cold some of the time.

The new tariffs for Q4, have a typical cost for a high usage home at around £2,700 . However 240 M2 is pretty large and with it being an older property, I would imagine the bills would be in excess of £3000 pa.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82114100#Comment_82114100

Just had our 4 bed 1920's painted. No windows though ( all UPVC) but cast iron gutters and downpipes and wood soffits etc Had not been done for 10 years, so lots of prep needed. SE England - £4400.

Bramble194

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82115175#Comment_82115175

Yes that's right - gas central heating in both the old and new house.

Having done a bit of research we're also presuming we will need to keep the house warmer than we currently do (normally only have the thermostat set to 17) to avoid the risk of damp given the solid brick walls and that the wooden floor, originally being a stable, is set directly on the ground rather than suspended floorboards. Again any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82115533#Comment_82115533

Well 17 is a bit on the low side generally. OK for bedrooms and hallways, but most people will prefer around 20 for a lounge or similar.

I would not necessarily equate solid walls with damp, so I would not say that would be a determining factor for the house temperature. Hopefully as well there is some decent insulation under that wood floor.

Hopefully the boiler in the new house is not very old ( say > 20 years old) as it will be inefficient compared to a modern condensing gas boiler. Plus it might be on its last legs.

FreeBear

17°C is enough to keep condensation at bay with solid brick walls - I used to heat *this place to a similar temperature. But have since replace the windows/doors & heating system (and plugged a few draughts), so have been going a little warmer. Having a stove in the lounge also helps to keep the place toasty on a cold winter day.

RelievedSheff

What does the EPC reckon the average consumption will be?

On our last two properties they have been there or there abouts with what we have actually consumed.