Soooo. Have found a lovely home which is in part cob built just on Somerset / Devon borders. My other half is nervous about the implications of a "non-conventional" build. We are not very "handy" with DIY. (House has a stunning garden, very wild and lots of different areas, which is a lot of the house's appeal.). We would get a Level 3 survey, and after two visits there are no obvious problems, apart from poorly installed bathrooms. (It is also quite remote, small hamlet, we currently live in the urban centre of a small city.) Are we mad to consider it?
- Thread starter Kate26
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Very conventional traditional build style in that region.
No reason it won’t be absolutely fine, unless… it’s been suffocated externally in cement render and plastic paint, and the same internally.
There are some horror stories of total failure of cob which has been subjected to that. It doesn’t fail slowly!
Removal of said inappropriate materials is a very specialist slow game, as the render has become structural.
Biggest areas to look at are the external finishes, cracking, bulging etc.
Don’t waste money on RICS - any level isn’t worth your spend. Find a local specialist who understand the build style. They will understand what they are looking at.
Lacan07
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Just a quick note about moving from urban areas to rural areas, partly from my experience and that of friends, the summers can be joyful but the winters can be a claustrophobic drudgery depending on your perspective. Do you have friends / social network nearby? I'm quite content in my own company, some of my friends however are driven up the walls in the middle of winter. Make sure theres a pub within walkable distance.
Driving around dark, fast country roads with no street lighting isn't much fun, especially in rush hour. I don't know how old you are but if you're approaching a certain age assess how good your eye site currently is. A modern car is imperative, partly so you can blind other people with your illegal LEDs as much as they blind you. The locals won't appreciate you much if you prevent them from whizzing about from A to B at 60mph. Even though an urban city is obviously more congested driving is way more comfortable imho.
Thanks - that's all good advice. Yes definitely using a specialist surveyor... if we get that far.
Hi. Thanks. No pub locally (our budget doesn't stretch to that setting) but it's only a short run to a main, properly lit road. I am in my 50's but my husband is older. We are visiting this week and did have the experience of driving down an unlit lane at night - and saw what you meant. We are moving without a local network and it is a concern, we will have to make alot of effort. Husband has a few friends in region and is transferring job to Exeter / Bath and will know people. It is something we are thinking about and a factor in our assessing this house. Where we live now I run a well known local charity and I am quite looking forward to being more anonymous. If I don't find a job quickly I plan to get a job in a shop or cafe, just to get connected. But yes, despite my natural tendency for optimism, it is a thing to think about.