Sturgess & Sturgess

Building Construction Specialists

Most of us have had a dream of owning a cottage in the country at one time or another. The reasons are many fold, to escape our normal lifestyle, the pressures of work, to be near family and friends, or simply to enjoy the country air and ways. Whatever the reasons a cottage is sought, purchased, worked upon and lived in.

When one starts the search for a suitable cottage it quickly becomes apparent after a survey or two that all that is pretty is not necessarily gold. What sometimes looks idyllic on the surface quickly turns out to be an expensive hobby underneath. However with the right help and guidance and many deep ventures into Estate Agents files a suitable cottage springs to light.

Initially one's choice is ruled from the heart, but if one can manage to distance oneself from the obvious attractions and look at the purchase from a future potential stance a lot of additional gains can be achieved.

In this, and subsequent issues, I am going to look at ways in which you can really capitalise on your purchase if you choose your property with vision.

Some buildings have a certain layout which although at first sight seems dull and boring can, with planning, really turn into a spacious and comfortable country home.

Sometimes one considers an extension as part of the future plan and with some properties this is the best move. Other properties only require the reorganising of existing space to acquire additional living facilities at a much reduced cost.

It is the latter that I am going to consider now as it is sometimes a much overlooked way forward.

A cottage is often added to very badly as it evolves. This addition, although at first sight may appear worthless, can be utilised wisely in a future scheme. Often the room layouts have been thoughtlessly altered over the years or the space has been badly managed. However with the help of a good builder and adviser a much better use of space can often be achieved. If this is done sympathetically, the character of the dwelling can not only be regained but improved upon.

To illustrate the vision of a property with hidden potential I am going to take a cottage purchased in Milborne Port, a Somerset village, as a good example.

A couple from the Home Counties spent several months scouring the West Country for a suitable cottage for their purposes. After much time spent viewing properties they found a cottage in a very tired condition which was due to go to auction. They spent a lot of time looking over the cottage. It was in a very sad state and little had altered since it was first built but it did have potential.

This potential was not obvious at first glance hence the fact it had not sold previously. This couple, however, saw something the others had not. To the rear the cottage was a lean to construction which ran full length of the building with the roof being at an unusual height. This height being a little low for additional use of space upstairs but too high for much use on the ground floor. However if the roof was raised 18 inches there would be sufficient height at first floor level for additional habitable space. The property was bought at auction and within a few weeks it was ready for work to begin.

Some of the work was to be carried out by the new owners but the bulk of the renovation was to be carried out by a builder, yet to be instructed. The couple spent a lot of time considering the ways to get the most out of the property and once the idea had jelled instructed a surveyor to produce some preliminary drawings.

Following the drawings a list of the other basic renovation work was drawn up and two builders were approached. Fortunately one of the builders genuinely specialised in the renovation and conversion of old buildings and had a wealth of knowledge and experience in such matters.

This was to prove invaluable as the project progressed. It was this builder who ultimately was asked to undertake the work.

The old roof was removed and the walls built up carefully with stone and a new roof built at the higher level. The same tiles were re-used and when the roof was cut three dormer windows were constructed to give the additional light required. The dormers were made in a style to match others in the vicinity and both the new owners and the local residents were pleased with the results. Inside the building a new bathroom was formed at first floor level along with an additional bedroom and work/studv area. In all a gain in floor area of some 35% was made at this level. All this had been possible because the purchases had seen the future potential of the cottage when others were looking only at the obvious state of the building as it was, not as it could be. In this case the cottage was not only larger after renovation and alterations but the property was worth more than the overall costs of purchase and building work.

THE FINISHED EFFECT

Providing more bedroom and bathroom accommodation and a much improved first floor

Send mail to paul@twinserve.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.