Converting barns into living space has become very fashionable in the last decade. From creating an office to a holiday rental, there are many reasons to convert a barn. But, with your sights set on a barn conversion you may be missing the one thing you actually need. In this article we are going to look at the pros and cons of derelict barns for sale, and what you need to know before you buy.
Derelict Barns for Sale : What you Need to Consider
Converting a derelict barn into living space is a great opportunity. But, before you start, you need to do your homework. The same points need to be remembered whether you already own the barn or are thinking of investing in derelict barns for sale.
First things first. Is the barn a listed building? This may seem like a strange question, but all buildings built prior to 1700, and almost all prior to 1840 are automatically listed. This means that you will not be able to change the original features, and you will need planning permission to carry out any work at all. Now this may seem strange, as you are looking to upgrade and existing derelict site. But, it is the case, and something that BBN and our team of conservation builders can confirm for you.
Pros of Barn Conversion
There are many pros as well as cons of buying and converting a derelict barn. On the plus side, you will be able to achieve a healthy return on invest if done correctly. A passive income is another plus point, should you decide to rent out the barn instead of resell or use for your own purpose.
But, along with the advantages, there are also a lot of negative issues that you may need to deal with when converting a barn. Costs can spiral out of control, and depending on the size and location of the finished conversion, you may not make a profit. This of course does not matter if your conversion is for personal use.
Before you start with any barn conversion, it is important to order a survey. This will enable you to find out if the structure is actually worth resurrecting or not. A barn could have wet and dry rot, unstable foundations, and a lot more hidden problems. If there is no water or electrical supply nearby, this too needs to be added to the overall cost of your project.
Conclusion
Before you go ahead and purchase a barn for conversion, do your homework. With the help of BBN and our team of conservation builders, we can add up the real cost of your barn conversion for you. We can also help you calculate your return on investment, and ensure that your conversion will indeed bring in a profit and not a loss. Derelict barns are perfect for rental, for adding space to your home, or for a home from home office that will allow you to stop commuting to and from work once and for all.