Renovating a listed building is quite different from making repairs to a standard property. There are regulations to abide by that differ between England, Scotland, and Wales. In the past listing building renovations were VAT-exempt. Not anymore. So, if you are looking to purchase and renovate a listing building, how much will it cost? The answer to this question really is the same as asking how long a piece of string is, but below we will look at the main points as well as providing some tips that should keep your costs down.
Listing Building Renovations : How to Stay on Budget
Renovating a listed building requires a certain set of skills. It is also require specific materials. A listed building renovation is something that should be carried out by specialists, like those you find here. If you are yet to purchase your listed property, you must realise now that it doesn’t really make good financial sense. You will own or are thinking of owning a listed property because you have fallen in love with its unique history and charm.
Many people dream of buying a listed property and renovating it to make it their family home. The property you have bought or are in the process of buying will of course need more than just a little tlc. So, how can you carry out the necessary repairs without breaking the bank? Building costs are around 30 to 50% higher for listed buildings than for general building work. This is due to the need for specialist tradesmen and highly qualified professionals with very specific skill sets, and materials.
When you are going to renovate a listed building, you will need to apply for consent. This will be in addition to the usual planning consent that you need. You will need to apply for listed building consent for all alterations, both internal and external. Also, you need to understand that repairing a listed building takes time. The renovation works will not be carried out with cheap plasterboard. You will need to consult your local authority about what materials can be used.
They will have guidelines as well as rules that you will need to adhere to for exterior areas. So, before you order any materials, ensure they are the right ones. You will not be picking up your supplies at your local DIY store or garden centre. When you use a qualified listed building renovations expert for the job, the sourcing of materials will also be taken care of for you.
Skills
The skills necessary for repairs to listed buildings are special. Take for example, re-plastering a lime wall. This will take several visits from your tradesmen, and the whole process may take as much as a month. You could take a course in lime plastering to try and speed things up, but do you really want to?
If you are on a tight budget, enquire about grants available from your local authorities for the repair works. Also, visit your local auctions for items you may like for furnishing your new home, at a fraction of the price your antique dealer would charge.