Edwardian houses - improving insulation & Maintenance issues
Discussion
Love the style of older properties and have seen an Edwardian detached house which is large but quite tempting.
The size doesn't worry me but the heating, general running costs and potential maintenance bills are a bit of an unknown for me.
I realise it will vary from house to house but does anyone have experience of an older 100+ year old house in terms of the potential big bills that could come up, things to look out for when viewing and specifically an idea of any ways to improve the insulation as I believe they have solid walls and no insulation. One house we have seen has double glazing but otherwise is original as far as i know.
Has anyone added internal/external insulation to an old property? Any advice and feedback on how it helped with bills?
The size doesn't worry me but the heating, general running costs and potential maintenance bills are a bit of an unknown for me.
I realise it will vary from house to house but does anyone have experience of an older 100+ year old house in terms of the potential big bills that could come up, things to look out for when viewing and specifically an idea of any ways to improve the insulation as I believe they have solid walls and no insulation. One house we have seen has double glazing but otherwise is original as far as i know.
Has anyone added internal/external insulation to an old property? Any advice and feedback on how it helped with bills?
Thanks for all the replies (especially the details yazar), good getting both for and against view points.
Would of course get a survey, but I know they like to cover themselves in case something does go wrong so I sometimes question how good some of them are! I know the house has had the lead pipes removed already and looks in good order so hopefully been well looked after,
It is a real difficult one of whether to get the character and difficulties that come with old places (although fortunately it is outside the conservation area/not listed if anything did need doing) or get a more dull 1960's on property with more usual modern construction!
Going to look around some more places at the weekend including 2nd viewing of the Edwardian place so can compare with a 1960's and 1990's place too.
The Edwardian place has garaging for 3 cars and parking for loads which does appeal! haha!
Would of course get a survey, but I know they like to cover themselves in case something does go wrong so I sometimes question how good some of them are! I know the house has had the lead pipes removed already and looks in good order so hopefully been well looked after,
It is a real difficult one of whether to get the character and difficulties that come with old places (although fortunately it is outside the conservation area/not listed if anything did need doing) or get a more dull 1960's on property with more usual modern construction!
Going to look around some more places at the weekend including 2nd viewing of the Edwardian place so can compare with a 1960's and 1990's place too.
The Edwardian place has garaging for 3 cars and parking for loads which does appeal! haha!
Looking around a selection of houses tomorrow so will be good to compare back to back. It's tricky when there is a not so nice looking 1970s house (albeit with smaller garden and room sizes, but plenty for us) just down the road for about £175k less than the Edwardian place and that is a lot of cash which could go towards an Aston!
Need to decide the premium between character and being sensible. It's our 1st family house so if we did go sensible in terms of price and age then plenty of years left to get a place with character. In fact, there is an amazing Georgian 2 bed cottage we could get for about £175k and have that as well!
Will see what we think/feel when we look around. Lots to weigh up but really love the character of older properties so trying to find reasons not to get the sensible/boring options!
Need to decide the premium between character and being sensible. It's our 1st family house so if we did go sensible in terms of price and age then plenty of years left to get a place with character. In fact, there is an amazing Georgian 2 bed cottage we could get for about £175k and have that as well!
Will see what we think/feel when we look around. Lots to weigh up but really love the character of older properties so trying to find reasons not to get the sensible/boring options!
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