HELP! Need a good builder - period property - Sevenoaks

[r1cho]

Hi all,

Really need some help here. Can anyone recommend a builder in the Sevenoaks area (or who will work there anyway) who has proved their capability to work sympathetically on old properties. We've spotted a house we would like to buy asap, but it needs extensive work inside and we would also like to do an in-keeping extension using traditional materials/techniques etc. The building is a Georgian cottage under kent peg tiles with Bressamer fireplace etc... We basically need a rough order of cost to give us the confidence to go ahead and buy knowing we can afford to do the work..

Grateful for any recommendations you can give - ASAP please, so we dont miss out on our potential dream property!

Many thanks,

Rich

 

[AMc]

Can't recommend a builder but I can recommend a way to guestimate the costs.
If you buy one of the self build magazines - e.g. "Homebuilding and Renovation" they provide ready reckoners for the cost of new build and renovation based on floor area.
IIRC when I started mine they suggested £1500 m2 which I thought was high but turned out to be very close to the money - this was a while back and the prices vary by standard of fit and location.

I would strongly recommend you get a builder to give it a once over before you make an offer - even if you don't end up using them in the end a verbal estimate will be helpful - we did that and saved ourselves from buying what looked cosmetically OK but was a money pit of bad renovation.

You should try calling your local planning office - first to check if your extension is possible in principal.
If the house is listed or in a conservation area you should try to speak to the conservation officer about it, this may be chargeable but a few quid spent now could save you thousands, esp. if you can't change the house in the way you want to.

Finally the trades who work on churches are often worth speaking to, ask the local vicar

 

[r1cho]

Thanks v much, all good advice I will look into! If anyone else has any specific recommendations please fire away - time is running out )

 

[middi]

Try your local council offices, go to the planning dpt and ask a planning officer ( preferably listed building ) for names of builders that work in your local area that can specialise in period property restoration work. They can be quite helpful .

Middi