Last month, one of our Cotswolds surveyors, Chris Dunstan, visited an intriguing 19th-century house that had recently had more than its 15 minutes of fame…
Once a large property with a post office to the right and living space to the left and above, the owners of this Georgian, Grade II listed building had big plans. Following the closure of their business, they made the bold move to split it and create two separate houses. The extent of this renovation caught the attention of George Clarke, and it was featured on his Remarkable Renovations programme in July this year.
Peter and Julia, who ran a business on the premises for 20 years, drew up plans to divide the property, selling off the left-hand side (which we surveyed) and renovating the right-hand area (that was once the post office) to use as their home.
The renovations were complete by the time our surveyor arrived; as George Clarke said himself, “you would never in a million years imagine that this was a shop”.
The episode is well worth a watch. While the separation of the left-hand property was fairly straightforward, the couple had to overcome structural and design issues to successfully create their new home to the right. Pretty much every internal wall, aside from the party wall, had to be rebuilt, requiring work to the foundations as well. They even put a new extension on the back. What they achieved was well worth the hard work, with both new homes looking stunning, and retaining period features while incorporating modern fittings and services.
There are several things to consider when buying a property like this, aside from its structure and condition. It is crucial to obtain all heritage and listed building consents when purchasing any listed building; this is particularly pertinent if major building works have been carried out. Building regulation certificates, planning consents and warranties should also be examined before completing a purchase.
Our surveyors have specific expertise in listed buildings. A level 3 building survey report will contain recommendations on which warranties and consents your legal advisor needs to request. It will, of course, also include an assessment of the fabric and structure of a property, along with details on the required repairs and maintenance. Particular attention is paid to recommending materials and methods appropriate for the age of the property. Contact our friendly team for more information, or get an instant quote online.
