Hello, we are new here. Thank you for having us!
We have been offered an old little house from the 1870s. The location and neighborhood are wonderfully beautiful and quiet. From our amateur perspective, the structure seems to be in fairly good condition. It has been unoccupied for about 50 years, but the owners have maintained it a little. It has electricity, but no water, sewer, gas, or phone connection. However, all the pipes run under the street. Of course, there is no heating system either. It also appears not to have a proper floor, as at least in one room the bare earth is visible.
What would be the best approach here? How can we find a professional who could assess what work would need to be done? We have some DIY skills but would need some guidance since we are not experts in construction. Thanks for any tips!
Yours, Holzauge
We have been offered an old little house from the 1870s. The location and neighborhood are wonderfully beautiful and quiet. From our amateur perspective, the structure seems to be in fairly good condition. It has been unoccupied for about 50 years, but the owners have maintained it a little. It has electricity, but no water, sewer, gas, or phone connection. However, all the pipes run under the street. Of course, there is no heating system either. It also appears not to have a proper floor, as at least in one room the bare earth is visible.
What would be the best approach here? How can we find a professional who could assess what work would need to be done? We have some DIY skills but would need some guidance since we are not experts in construction. Thanks for any tips!
Yours, Holzauge
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nordanney5 Nov 2014 11:28Holzauge schrieb:
I was actually hoping for answers like
"Fieldstone walls should definitely / only be insulated if... / never insulated on the exterior / interior" or
"Perimeter heating in fieldstone houses is nonsense / the best option available" or
"it is absolutely necessary to place a plastic vapor barrier on the ground"
Regarding the estimated price: about 15 months’ salary before any additional costs. 15 months’ salary = €15,000 or rather €150,000
B
Bauexperte5 Nov 2014 12:51Hello,
Only an expert on site can explain to you the best approach!
Okay – the average annual salary in early 2014 was €31,089 (of course, this may be more or less for you). That means €31,089 ÷ 12 × 15 = €38,861 for a good location. Plus demolition and rebuilding costs, absolutely recommendable if the location really matters that much to you.
If you want to carry out minimal renovation on the property, it is most likely doomed to fail since every job will trigger another. I understand the desire for a holiday home, but I don’t understand why you want to “rush” it? I personally wouldn’t want to move into a construction site that probably smells musty during my limited vacation.
There are cheaper alternatives
Regards, Bauexperte
Holzauge schrieb:Which once again proves that the HBF is not a wish-granting forum
I was actually hoping for answers like
"Rubble stone walls definitely / only if... / absolutely don’t insulate on the outside / inside" or
"Baseboard heating in rubble stone houses is nonsense / the best option available" or
"you absolutely have to put a plastic sheet on the ground"
Only an expert on site can explain to you the best approach!
Holzauge schrieb:What a mystery…
Regarding the estimated price: about 15 monthly salaries, all in.
Okay – the average annual salary in early 2014 was €31,089 (of course, this may be more or less for you). That means €31,089 ÷ 12 × 15 = €38,861 for a good location. Plus demolition and rebuilding costs, absolutely recommendable if the location really matters that much to you.
If you want to carry out minimal renovation on the property, it is most likely doomed to fail since every job will trigger another. I understand the desire for a holiday home, but I don’t understand why you want to “rush” it? I personally wouldn’t want to move into a construction site that probably smells musty during my limited vacation.
There are cheaper alternatives
Regards, Bauexperte