HELP I think i am crazy!

[ilona73]

View attachment 1Hi all,
I am a newbie... We have just got this place called "Simonswood Hall" its grade 2* listed and dates from 1687.... I am married with 4 children and about to undertake a massive renovation lol.... The previous owners of the house have pointed it with expandable foam and such.. Everything is such a mess i must be crazy! All in all we have 22 rooms to renovate and 1 acre of land to sort oh yes and we will be living in it while we do it!.
If any of you have any advice for a complete novice i would be eternally greatful,

 

[Penners]

Browse other threads from new period property owners on this forum, and you'll find a few themes recurring.

The first is - don't panic! OK, trite and obvious, but it's important nevertheless. Sit down and think through the project as carefully as you can. Try to consider which parts of it are the most important, and schedule those first.

For example, is the building weathertight? And is it stable? Those are always the first considerations. So long as it's standing firm, dry and (at least reasonably) warm, you can start to tackle the various stages of the interior work without worrying about the integrity of the building.

Next, Do you plan to live there while you work on the building? If so, then has it got the basic services that you'll need (particularly as you have children)? Have you got a toilet, washing facilities, a kitchen and bedrooms?

Once all those basic essentials are dealt with, you can then start to plan the schedule of works for the complete project. I've laboured this point many times before, but remember the old saying:-

Q: How do you eat an elephant?

A: A spoonful at a time.

Divide your project up into manageable chunks - perhaps a room at a time. As much as possible, start and finish each each chunk before you move on to the next. that way you'll have regular "reward" moments when you can step back and admire the end of a stage, and take a short, enjoyable break before you start the next one.

There's lots of useful information and expert advice to be had on this forum. Make full use of it - there's no ration on the number of questions you can ask. Threads tend to drift all over the place, with personal chit-chat and a fair bit of fun, but don't let that put you off. We're all pretty much like-minded people who enjoy each other's conversations and contributions. Despite the waffle, you'll still get plenty of nuggets of golden advice.

Finally, you have a very precious building there. I'm sure you'll treat it kindly and sensitively, as the important part of our architectural heritage that it is. Be sure to get to know your Conservation Officer, and to check with him/her as regards any requirement for Listed Building Consent at every stage of your project.

Good luck, and keep us in touch with progress.

PS: Have you seen this? http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41290

 

[ilona73]

Browse other threads from new period property owners on this forum, and you'll find a few themes recurring.

The first is - don't panic! OK, trite and obvious, but it's important nevertheless. Sit down and think through the project as carefully as you can. Try to consider which parts of it are the most important, and schedule those first.

For example, is the building weathertight? And is it stable? Those are always the first considerations. So long as it's standing firm, dry and (at least reasonably) warm, you can start to tackle the various stages of the interior work without worrying about the integrity of the building.

Next, Do you plan to live there while you work on the building? If so, then has it got the basic services that you'll need (particularly as you have children)? Have you got a toilet, washing facilities, a kitchen and bedrooms?

Once all those basic essentials are dealt with, you can then start to plan the schedule of works for the complete project. I've laboured this point many times before, but remember the old saying:-

Q: How do you eat an elephant?

A: A spoonful at a time.

Divide your project up into manageable chunks - perhaps a room at a time. As much as possible, start and finish each each chunk before you move on to the next. that way you'll have regular "reward" moments when you can step back and admire the end of a stage, and take a short, enjoyable break before you start the next one.

There's lots of useful information and expert advice to be had on this forum. Make full use of it - there's no ration on the number of questions you can ask. Threads tend to drift all over the place, with personal chit-chat and a fair bit of fun, but don't let that put you off. We're all pretty much like-minded people who enjoy each other's conversations and contributions. Despite the waffle, you'll still get plenty of nuggets of golden advice.

Finally, you have a very precious building there. I'm sure you'll treat it kindly and sensitively, as the important part of our architectural heritage that it is. Be sure to get to know your Conservation Officer, and to check with him/her as regards any requirement for Listed Building Consent at every stage of your project.

Good luck, and keep us in touch with progress.

PS: Have you seen this? http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=41290

Thanks for that i ahve seen the british History thing for the house and printed it off..
I am an interior designer and so am okay with the decorating etc... but its normally other peoples properties and not with so much of our own cash. To say its daunting is an understatement. Our first meeting with the CO is on thursday.... The house has just been wrecked internal walls added and just put in place with expandable foam and all sorts of horrors.. In fact i am surprised the previous owners have gotten away with so much . Good job they now live in Hong Kong!

I have so many ideas spinning around in my head but luckily the house is habitable

 

[Schoolmarm]

Good advice from Penners there. What a beautiful building.

Don't rush into anything. I did jobs here when we moved in before discovering the right way to do things. When I asked the builder about lime, he poo poo'ed me and I gave in.

I also redid the roof which armed with knowledge from here probably didn't need doing. 46 grand wasted


Don't panic, it has stood there a very long time.

Water ingress is one of your most important things, make sure roof doesn't leak and that all your rainwater goods work properly.

Don't give it a quick lick f modern paint ANYWHERE just to cheer yourselves up.

Live in it and enjoy discovering things for a bit.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Wow- what a beautiful house! I'm sure you will be very happy living there and little by little it will start to feel more and more like home as you clean and scrub and buy it presents.

Penners' advice, as usual, is spot on- try not to be too daunted, there's no deadline is there? Unfortunately I've not followed the advice to complete a room before starting the next, so there's unfinished stuff all over as I hit an obstacle (usually lack of cash) and come to a standstill. But 10 months from moving in and we have one finished, calm, and lovely music room where I can sit and imagine the whole house finished like that.

How wonderful that you are an interior designer, what a great project for you. I'm sure that like me you will be making list after list of ideas and filling drawers with samples but it really is a good idea to wait and see how the light behaves in different seasons and if there are trees and shrubs, what colours they bring in... who am I to tell you these things though, you're the designer!

And use this forum, it's great.

 

[ilona73]

Good advice from Penners there. What a beautiful building.

Don't rush into anything. I did jobs here when we moved in before discovering the right way to do things. When I asked the builder about lime, he poo poo'ed me and I gave in.

I also redid the roof which armed with knowledge from here probably didn't need doing. 46 grand wasted


Don't panic, it has stood there a very long time.

Water ingress is one of your most important things, make sure roof doesn't leak and that all your rainwater goods work properly.

Don't give it a quick lick f modern paint ANYWHERE just to cheer yourselves up.

Live in it and enjoy discovering things for a bit.

Thanks for that... we are moving in in about 5 weeks time.. at the moment we are just going over every weekend and cleaning it etc... luckily the roof etc was done 15 years ago.. and no damp etc anywhere so we are pretty much all set to go...The children however arent quite so enthusiastic, they think we have gone mad!

 

[Penners]

I am an interior designer

That'll be great when it comes to the final decorating and styling of your home. But - and please don't think I'm patronsing you - it sounds a though there's an awful lot of structural stuff that has to come first, before you even think about your special metier.

Schoolmarm has given you very important advice - get the structural basics sorted out properly and permanently before you even touch a paintbrush.

 

[ilona73]

I am an interior designer

That'll be great when it comes to the final decorating and styling of your home. But - and please don't think I'm patronsing you - it sounds a though there's an awful lot of structural stuff that has to come first, before you even think about your special metier.

Schoolmarm has given you very important advice - get the structural basics sorted out properly and permanently before you even touch a paintbrush.

Wow- what a beautiful house! I'm sure you will be very happy living there and little by little it will start to feel more and more like home as you clean and scrub and buy it presents.

Penners' advice, as usual, is spot on- try not to be too daunted, there's no deadline is there? Unfortunately I've not followed the advice to complete a room before starting the next, so there's unfinished stuff all over as I hit an obstacle (usually lack of cash) and come to a standstill. But 10 months from moving in and we have one finished, calm, and lovely music room where I can sit and imagine the whole house finished like that.

How wonderful that you are an interior designer, what a great project for you. I'm sure that like me you will be making list after list of ideas and filling drawers with samples but it really is a good idea to wait and see how the light behaves in different seasons and if there are trees and shrubs, what colours they bring in... who am I to tell you these things though, you're the designer!

And use this forum, it's great.

Awww thanks for the welcome... i have been loitering with intent on the board for a month or more now before joining last weekend...I agree though with the point about making sure everything is fine and dandy first... thought structurally we have been assured its sound... apart from obviously the pointing etc... and luckily my brother in law is a builder who refurbished renovated lots of listed building so i know this one will be i safe hands with him.and intend to take it slowly and methodically ..As for the light refractions through windows etc... i need to live and feel it for a while before i can really get to grips on it... having said that i have found the perfect spot for my drawing board and am clearing the next year or so entirely to make this our "forever home" My husband has to bring in lots of serious cash i have expensive tastes!

 

[JoceAndChris]

You sound like me... poor husbands!

But yes, listen to the people on here who know about structural stuff and damp before you go mad decorating; my above mentioned music room has £400 of F&B wallpaper on its rather damp walls, there's no way I'd have done that now. We'll see how long it lasts!

Re your acre, it's a pity you won't be there in spectacular May so as you're going over to visit make a note of what there is otherwise you might fall into the trap that I did and think your garden is dull and devoid of flowers. This forum is quite good for gardening help, although the balance is skewed the other way to PPUK with more questioners than answerers!

http://mygarden.rhs.org.uk/forums/

And do keep us posted, and good luck.

 

[Penners]

poor husbands

That simple, two-word phrase sums up a whole universe of pain, suffering and oppression.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Hmmm, I was just reading an old thread where you wax lyrical about Mrs P's amazing chocolate cake, you can't have it all, you know.

You would be lost without us!

 

[Schoolmarm]

Just to point out, the previous owners have now got away with any changes they made.

You are now liable for anything that has been done without consent since the listing.

You also need to speak to your CO before you do anything.....ANYTHING...inside or out or in the garden to see if you need listed building consent, and also to see what method/materials to use.

 

[skier-hughes]

Hmmm, I was just reading an old thread where you wax lyrical about Mrs P's amazing chocolate cake, you can't have it all, you know.

You would be lost without us!

I've just been eating some delicious home made strawberry ice cream. Can't wait for my own strawberries to come along to make more.
Cider ice cream went down well, that was with our own home made cider, and rhubarb ice cream, rhubarb sorbet.........

Jo doesn't think £250 on an ice cream maekr is good value.... tut tut

Only one year set aside.................... three years on and I'm still on first bedroom and kitchen, though I haven't set aside all of my time!!!!!!!!!

The place looks beautiful

Graham

 

[Flyfisher]

The previous owners of the house have pointed it with expandable foam and such..

Well that's the first time I've heard of that particular trick! :shock:

Where do people get these sorts of ideas from? I mean, cement mortar might be inappropriate for historical buildings but at least its use is fairly understandable, even if misguided. But pointing with expanding foam sounds like the result of experimentation with mind-expanding substances. Bizarre.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

A glorious house, in God's own county (I grew up about 4 miles away as the crow flies, and my grandparents lived in Rainford). Just don't take what's been done to every similar house within 20 miles as the epitome of how to conserve a period property.

 

[ilona73]

A glorious house, in God's own county (I grew up about 4 miles away as the crow flies, and my grandparents lived in Rainford). Just don't take what's been done to every similar house within 20 miles as the epitome of how to conserve a period property.

The previous owners of the house have pointed it with expandable foam and such..

Well that's the first time I've heard of that particular trick! :shock:

Where do people get these sorts of ideas from? I mean, cement mortar might be inappropriate for historical buildings but at least its use is fairly understandable, even if misguided. But pointing with expanding foam sounds like the result of experimentation with mind-expanding substances. Bizarre.

Well that was my first impression too.. honestly its all over the place... i was surprised to say the least ... also the main door has been sealed with expandable foam and silicone... i am guessing because the outside latch is broken and obviously no key?but even so ... i am surprised .The biggest question is how do we release the door without damaging it?
As for every other house in the area... we aren't from the area we are moving to.. at the moment we are 10 miles from lancaster and i am originally from cheshire so dont really know the area at all... we just saw the house.. knew it had masses of potential and went for it..after 3 months umming and arring ...we made our minds up.... now the fun starts.... Speaking to the neighbours though it was gutted by a fire about 20 years ago so as for preservation etc i have no idea although if that was the case it might explain why it has plastic piping?

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Given that this is what happens to Grade II buildings in the same district, I'm sure the local council (who looked at buying it in order to demolish) will be the least of your worries:
http://www.northmeols.com/history/greaveshall/

 

[Anita]

A tip for living in your property whilst renovations are ongoing. Try to keep a couple of rooms as a bit of a sanctuary from al the chaos that is going on around you. That way - you can simply close a door, ecape for a while and pretend that it's not happening!

We have repaired our house a room at a time - which is not the most time effective or cost effective way of doing it, but when you are living amonst the ongoing work, sometimes it's the only way it can be done.

After 9 years into what was set out to be a 2 year project I am please to report that we now have much less "chaos" and more "good bits" - and the end is very much in sight (if only we could just agree on what to put on the bathroom walls) :?

Good luck with your project. Would love to see some internal pics.

 

[ilona73]

View attachment 1

A tip for living in your property whilst renovations are ongoing. Try to keep a couple of rooms as a bit of a sanctuary from al the chaos that is going on around you. That way - you can simply close a door, ecape for a while and pretend that it's not happening!

We have repaired our house a room at a time - which is not the most time effective or cost effective way of doing it, but when you are living amonst the ongoing work, sometimes it's the only way it can be done.

After 9 years into what was set out to be a 2 year project I am please to report that we now have much less "chaos" and more "good bits" - and the end is very much in sight (if only we could just agree on what to put on the bathroom walls) :?

Good luck with your project. Would love to see some internal pics.

Thanks there is one of the lounges that isnt too bad for now.. so we are hoping to use that as our retreat room until we can get through the entire house...I have added a few internal pics these were taken when we first viewed the house before we fell in love with it..We thought we could take some pictures ... come home sleep on it... have a look at them later and then see if we still felt the same.. unfortunately we were both hooked by then and it was too late...

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Ooops

Aaaaargh!!!! My eyes!! it burns! it burns!