the paradox of period properties

[plasticpigeon]

My partner and I have recently had a child together. This means that my partner is at home these days, and I am fortunate to work from home much of the time as the office of the company that I work for is a long way from my house. However, she has got into the habit of watching homes under the hammer, and I sometimes watch parts of it when I pop in to say hello (although she has banned me watching any of it now as I get too angry apparently). I have realised that generally this is a program about how to add value to a property by destoying it. Everyone is a property developer. People who wouldn't even know how to adjust the brake blocks on a pedal bike think they can renovate a house, and somehow magically add £50,000 to its value. I can't think of any other object that can be increased in value by such ill informed decision making and poor workmanship.

 

[LadyArowana]

I can't think of any other object that can be increased in value by such ill informed decision making and poor workmanship.

I take it you are not familiar with Katie Price a.k.a Jordan ? Much extra silicon seems to have added to her wealth considerably.

 

[Lime]

The paradox is why so many people want a home of any age to be a look-a-like barratt box inside.
Most modern and modernised interiors are uninspiring and uninteresting.
Perhaps a reflection of their owners?

 

[Flyfisher]

That's the trouble with freedom. People do what they like with it.

 

[MatthewC]

[rant] I stopped watching "Homes under the Hammer" after a couple bought a "character cottage" and proceeded to rip all the character out of it, at one stage reducing the structure to a shell with no plaster and no floors. I don't think they added much value either.

What really galls me is that most of the presenters do know about breathability and lime etc, but they never say to their participants what the consequences of their actions will be: "the dpc will not work as it's stone built and having plastered the inside with gypsum and repointed outside with OPC then you will be chasing dampness for ever as the walls will hold the water which will inevitably get in when the pointing cracks as it's rigid".

Basically, if people want to live in a Barrett box with nice right angles, smooth plaster and no draughts they should just go and buy one rather than convert something old. [/rant]

 

[88v8]

[rant] I... if people want to live in a Barrett box with nice right angles, smooth plaster and no draughts they should just go and buy one rather than convert something old.

no draughts and modern levels of insulation.... Hear Hear.
Ivor

 

[Flyfisher]

Basically, if people want to live in a Barrett box with nice right angles, smooth plaster and no draughts they should just go and buy one rather than convert something old.

That's a fair point, but the reality of the situation is that if old houses cannot attract enough people willing to live in them then they will inevitably decay and be lost through neglect. And, quite clearly, there are a great many people who do wish to live in 'Barratt boxes', which is their choice in a free country isn't it?

Presumably, the listing process should help to protect enough of the nation's building stock and provide enough examples of our heritage in a sort of distributed living museum. I can't see how old houses can be preserved without willing occupants, so it's all about numbers and compromise.

 

[MatthewC]

And, quite clearly, there are a great many people who do wish to live in 'Barratt boxes', which is their choice in a free country isn't it?

Of course; I have lived in two in particular which were awful houses - even though they were quite new, they were cold and just never warmed up, even in summer. Also, the more recent one seemed to have lost a foot off every dimension so you could hardly get a double bed in the bedrooms! It also had rubbish uPVC doors and windows which had gaps!! Then in winter the hot water supply to upstairs froze overnight. I could go on.

At least with an old house I feel I know where I am, and although it can be draughty that's what I expected! More than that, this one feels like HOME as no other house (other than my parents house where my mother have lived for 85 years) has ever done for me.

 

[Flyfisher]

I don't need convincing, I was just looking at the wider picture. Your description of new houses entirely agrees with some of the stories a friend tells me. He works for a large new homes builder as part of a team that sorts out build and quality problems in the first year or so of people moving it. He told me that many internal dividing walls are not even built with wood carcassing these days. Apparently, they use a thin metal framework to support the plasterboard sheets instead. Not my idea of proper building, but it obviously suits some.

 

[Feltwell]

Apparently, they use a thin metal framework to support the plasterboard sheets instead

Yep - metal stud walling. I was shown how to put it up about 20 years ago at a British Gypsum training day, it is ridiculously quick & easy to do. It was intended then just for office partitions but I guess it's use has spread. It doesn't exactly feel permanent - OK for an office partition but for your house......

You start to wonder if in many new houses if you slam the doors will the walls wobble, like the set of a cheap soap opera!