If you are considering a Grade 2 Listed Building renovation, there are things you will need to know from the offset. Undertaking such a project will never be easy. Old buildings need to be treated in a specific way, not unlike how we treat our elders. To ensure the whole project goes to plan, you must use reputable conservation builders for the job. Building techniques have evolved immensely over time, and you should never attempt a DIY project.
Grade 2 Listed Building Renovation : Misconceptions
It is common knowledge that you need to apply for permission to alter your build in any way. But, what is not so commonly known is that is not just the façade of the building that is listed. Your entire build is listed, including its internal features. This means that you will need permission to alter anything within the build, fireplaces being a common example. Listed building consent is required as you must preserve the special historic interest and character of your property. Failure to do so will result in you having to put back things the way they were, fines, and more.
It is also a misconception that if you apply for planning consent, you can then go on to carry out your Grade 2 Listed Building Renovation. Many applications are rejected, and this is something that you need to consider. You can appeal applications, and the chance of having a decision overturned is better if the application is made by an architect and not by yourself.
Be Prepared
Once your Grade 2 Listed Building Renovation plans have been accepted, you should next prepare yourself for surprises. Depending on whether your property has been in your family for generations or not, you may uncover some surprises. Once you remove an interior, you may find blocked doors, packages, and much more. Many fireplaces have been covered over without permission and many original features have been lost.
Listed buildings will have been made with very different materials to those of today. Be prepared for dry and wet rot, lime, and badly cemented-over walls. Only experts in listed buildings will know how to go about making renovations and what materials should be used for the job for best results. Where cement has covered over lime and plaster, damp can often be found. Lime and plaster allowed walls to breathe, and it is often advantageous to go back to using the original methods.
Cost
When renovating an average house, it is easy to work out how much things will cost. With listed buildings, it isn’t. As we said before, you never know what will be uncovered until work commences. So, it is important to be realistic about the cost, and have plenty of spare money set aside for additional work.
Timescale
Once again, it pays to be realistic. Before you can commence even interior changes, you will need to receive consent. Once your application has been submitted to the council this shouldn’t take long. But, once again, things are not always as simple as the first seem. When it comes to exterior changes, it is very common for permission to be rejected. This often means going back to the drawing board and coming up with more modest changes. You may need to be prepared to negotiate. You will have to show that any changes you make will be sympathetic to your original build.
Professional Conservation Builders
As we said before, it is extremely important that you use only the most professional of conservation builders. A normal builder will not understand lime and plaster any better than you! So, allow BBN to put you in touch with local tradesmen who are experienced in Grade 2 listed building renovations.
Remember, that investing in a listed building, or inheriting one, is a privilege. You should never abuse this privilege and you should never think about carrying out building work yourself. Be prepared for long waits, complications, surprises, and delays. A listed building needs taking care of in the same way that our elderly do; with a lot of care and attention to detail, and with only the very best resources and materials.