Any property developers here? Especially in the uk.

[Tony-GB]

Can anyone give me some pointers here? I've been offered a 17th century grade 2 listed house and it's for free. Absolutley free of charge, I kid you not. The owner wants to use the land it's on but as it's listed cannot knock it down. He said I can have it as long a I pay all the legal fees etc, but the house would have to be moved brick by brick to another location & then rebuilt exactly as it is. Because of it's listing, is this possible & anyone know a company that does this sort of thing?

I know it's going to be massively expensive, but reckon it will be worth it. I have sourced a good sized rural plot in the countryside already overlooking rolling fields, but I haven't a clue where to start with regard to moving the house.

The house is made from a brick & wood construction. The owner tells me the wood is from old battleships & he believes it to be oak.

[Jimbits76]

I deal with a lot of listed buildings Tony....I wouldn't touch the deal with a bargepole personally. I always advise clients that are looking into listed buildings to have at least 50% of the original prurchase price in liquid capital as quite often once work begins, costs start to escalate.

I have never heard of a listed building being moved. Usually the listing will take into account the historical and geographical context.

I'd be really careful. Talk to a local architect, mmost should offer advioce for free and under no obligation.

If you need any more advice PM me and I'll have a word with a few contacts to see what loopholes etc you can look at.

Cheers

Jim

[ob1]

Hi Tony, I've been a developer for the last 6/7 years. I specialise in old properties. For the last two years I have been converting a victorian chapel into a house. Old buildings are a lot of trouble, but worth it. You have to assume that everything will need replacing when budgeting (re wire re plumb, re roof, re plaster everywhere, you get the idea). That way if it doesn't end up needing to be done you've saved money! Don't get too excited, it'll be swallowed up else where. I know this from expensive experience. I generally try to stay clear of listed buildings, because of the massive hassles involved. The one I'm working on at the moment is just in a conservation area, and has a local listing ( can't change the outside too much, but can do what you like inside).
I would echo entirely, Jim's great advise from above..... That said, this does sound brilliant!
Even if you are allowed to do it, taking the building apart, moving it and then re assembling it will be titanically expensive. Unless you are dead set on something like this, I would build from new. It is so much cheaper in the long run, and you get to have everything how you like it. There are always compromises with old buildings. Once your building is designed, you get your quotes and off you go. You will always change your mind about stuff along the way but old buildings have a way of smacking you in the wallet when you least expect it.
If you have any photos Tony I'd love to see them, and I may be able to give you some further help. My email is [email protected] if you don't want to show it publicly

Cheers mate

Mark

[Tony-GB]

Thanks for the advice Jim & Mark. Sounds like it would be a nightmare. I'm not doing it for profit, but for a home. I'm a qualified plasterer so can do that myself & wifey's doing an electrical part P course. I can also get kitchens & things trade. No wonder the guy wants to get shot of this property, already it's complicated.

The house has already been vandalised & fire damaged, so I think the owner would rather someone burn it down & save him the trouble of getting rid of it. He's desperate to free the land it's on.

Thanks for the number Mark, but I think this needs Sarah Beeney to mother this one!

[ratae1950]

From my distant memories of dealing with planning issues in England I would say that Jim's words of caution are wise. There never seemed to be a 'concrete' set of rules/regulations. If you like your plot of land, why not consider having someone develop a design with you that captures the qualities you like in vernacular buildings--scale, materials, details, form etc., As Jim said, context is important to the nature of any structure. A sensitively designed home could not only respond to the list above, but also to the site and your specific lifesyle.

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by ratae1950

From my distant memories of dealing with planning issues in England I would say that Jim's words of caution are wise. There never seemed to be a 'concrete' set of rules/regulations. If you like your plot of land, why not consider having someone develop a design with you that captures the qualities you like in vernacular buildings--scale, materials, details, form etc., As Jim said, context is important to the nature of any structure. A sensitively designed home could not only respond to the list above, but also to the site and your specific lifesyle.

Listen to the propoer architect!!!!!!!! He's like Yoda with a Rotring

I was going to say, if you've found the perfect plot Tony, why not get an archy to design you something similar?

This would work out much cheaper in the long run. Sounds weird but the right design and the correct bricks, tiles and joinery can be perfect and really represent something that could be grade II listed for a percentage of the price.

Thinking further than the planning aspects, once you've moved it you never know what the land conditions or structural requirements are going to be once you've been permitted and the relocation has begun. If you move an existing building that was perhaps on a toed broick footing and the new plot requires plies and a suspended beam and block floor, it's going to be an issue with existing materials bearing new technology. This could be a problem with underspanned joists, roof members and beams etc...If the current regs require it (as they probably would also with joinery U Values etc) the conservation officer will have a hard time persuading the building regs officers and inspectors which will mean you will have to shell out more hard earned for "sympathetic and contextual" technologies.

I hope that makes sense...remember I didn't give you any professional advice, just a case of friendly urging in a certain direction.

J