Hello
First thanks for the forum, I've read a lot of interesting stuff already! Perhaps I can ramble on about our project then ask a couple of questions.
We've just bought a cottage in Norfolk. The front part was built in the 1750s and extended 1858 (plaster signature to prove it), finally a large vinery was added some time in the 1870s (we think) to the eastern side.
The previous owners had permission to chop it into 3 homes (2 in the older front, 1 at the back) but only renovated the front as a single house in the end. As a result we have two bathrooms next to each other, the larger blocking the access into the upper floor of the rear section of the house (doh!).
The back of the house has been empty for at least 15 years so has no working plumbing, heating or electrics. The lower floors were a kitchen adjoining bathroom and 6 large cold stores (5 outside and one inside). Next to that is the vinery. Upstairs was a bathroom and two bedrooms.
The previous owners have ripped out the old bathrooms, taken down some internal walls and cut new openings between the old kitchen and vinery and a very optimistic opening at first floor level into the vinery. That's currently the only way in via a ladder. We'd like to use the upstairs as one large bedroom and bathroom - basically reinstating without the internal wall between the 2 old bedrooms. We'll have to open through the newer bathroom taking out a toilet so I guess it's good we have two to start with.
The vinery is a lean to construction about 8m by 4m. >15 years back someone added a polycarbinate roof on top of the original wood and glass to waterproof it, but unfortunately failed to maintain it so the structure underneath has rotted + the extra weight has caused the outer wall to bow outwards and the rafters have spread. The wooden walls weren't maintained either and the sills are turning into what looks like (and has the structural integrity of) peat
. All in all it looks like it needs mending with a new one.
As the orchard has been a housing estate for 15 years we'd like to open all the cold stores into the old bathroom downstairs and go through to the kitchen & vinery as one open plan area. There is a partially demolished chimney stack between the kitchen and bathroom (roof closed above it a long time back).
I know what we're proposing isn't in the finest restoration tradition, but before you lambast me - the upper half of the building is being returned to more or less its original layout. the conversion of the cold stores and vinery is basically agricultural to residential. We can't afford to restore the vinery as a fancy greenhouse and it won't hold up much longer. The old bathroom and kitchen are (individually) too small to be of use so hopefully you'll understand knocking them into a nice family kitchen.
Our mortgage surveyor has recommended reroofing the rear section. The slates don't look too bad, but there is no underfelt at the moment and the flashing is only nailed on, not cut into the brickwork
Anyone know any dependable roofers in South Norfolk/North Suffolk?
The vinery is rotten and needs rebuilding if we're to use it as a room as I can't see how we could bring it up to FENSA and part L standards otherwise.
So far I have a quote from apropos for a replacement visually in keeping in aluminum and low e glass which meets part L at around £50K + associated building works. I'm interested in looking at hardwood
Can anyone recommend other vendors to try for a (non-uPVC) conservatory which will meet part L ?
Finally I'm hoping for some hints and tips on where & how to start the whole renovation. I've been doing some planning and I want to do as much as I can myself and manage the rest as much as possible. I've read a few web sites and a couple of books - but I'm sure there must be a 'how to begin a renovation' guide that someone could point me to that will help me with stuctural surveys, roofing, electrics, plumbing, budgeting etc.
Thanks for reading if you got this far.
First thanks for the forum, I've read a lot of interesting stuff already! Perhaps I can ramble on about our project then ask a couple of questions.
We've just bought a cottage in Norfolk. The front part was built in the 1750s and extended 1858 (plaster signature to prove it), finally a large vinery was added some time in the 1870s (we think) to the eastern side.
The previous owners had permission to chop it into 3 homes (2 in the older front, 1 at the back) but only renovated the front as a single house in the end. As a result we have two bathrooms next to each other, the larger blocking the access into the upper floor of the rear section of the house (doh!).
The back of the house has been empty for at least 15 years so has no working plumbing, heating or electrics. The lower floors were a kitchen adjoining bathroom and 6 large cold stores (5 outside and one inside). Next to that is the vinery. Upstairs was a bathroom and two bedrooms.
The previous owners have ripped out the old bathrooms, taken down some internal walls and cut new openings between the old kitchen and vinery and a very optimistic opening at first floor level into the vinery. That's currently the only way in via a ladder. We'd like to use the upstairs as one large bedroom and bathroom - basically reinstating without the internal wall between the 2 old bedrooms. We'll have to open through the newer bathroom taking out a toilet so I guess it's good we have two to start with.
The vinery is a lean to construction about 8m by 4m. >15 years back someone added a polycarbinate roof on top of the original wood and glass to waterproof it, but unfortunately failed to maintain it so the structure underneath has rotted + the extra weight has caused the outer wall to bow outwards and the rafters have spread. The wooden walls weren't maintained either and the sills are turning into what looks like (and has the structural integrity of) peat
As the orchard has been a housing estate for 15 years we'd like to open all the cold stores into the old bathroom downstairs and go through to the kitchen & vinery as one open plan area. There is a partially demolished chimney stack between the kitchen and bathroom (roof closed above it a long time back).
I know what we're proposing isn't in the finest restoration tradition, but before you lambast me - the upper half of the building is being returned to more or less its original layout. the conversion of the cold stores and vinery is basically agricultural to residential. We can't afford to restore the vinery as a fancy greenhouse and it won't hold up much longer. The old bathroom and kitchen are (individually) too small to be of use so hopefully you'll understand knocking them into a nice family kitchen.
Our mortgage surveyor has recommended reroofing the rear section. The slates don't look too bad, but there is no underfelt at the moment and the flashing is only nailed on, not cut into the brickwork
Anyone know any dependable roofers in South Norfolk/North Suffolk?
The vinery is rotten and needs rebuilding if we're to use it as a room as I can't see how we could bring it up to FENSA and part L standards otherwise.
So far I have a quote from apropos for a replacement visually in keeping in aluminum and low e glass which meets part L at around £50K + associated building works. I'm interested in looking at hardwood
Can anyone recommend other vendors to try for a (non-uPVC) conservatory which will meet part L ?
Finally I'm hoping for some hints and tips on where & how to start the whole renovation. I've been doing some planning and I want to do as much as I can myself and manage the rest as much as possible. I've read a few web sites and a couple of books - but I'm sure there must be a 'how to begin a renovation' guide that someone could point me to that will help me with stuctural surveys, roofing, electrics, plumbing, budgeting etc.
Thanks for reading if you got this far.