BUYING A
RENOVATION
PROPERTY
Renovation:
an old property in need of restoration
work to make it habitable
Renovating a property requires a lot of time and
patience, so it suits people who are able to visit
the site regularly, or, even better, live close by
while the work is being done so that you can
easily be consulted or even project-manage the
work yourself.
Problems and delays can occur, so bear this
in mind if you have a specifi c deadline when you
need the work to be done by.
When you begin looking at renovation
properties, bear in mind that while many
properties can be transformed, some are simply
beyond economic repair. Take the builder you’re
planning to use to see the property before you
buy it so they can cast their expert eye over it.
Before you buy, make sure you get an
independent survey and valuation done. While an
estate agent may say that a barn can be converted
into living accommodation, don’t take their word for
it; get it checked out by independent professionals
fi rst. A survey will also give you an idea of what the
major renovation costs are going to be. Going over
budget is an occupational hazard with renovation
projects, as unforeseen costs can crop up while
the work is being done. Try to have a cash
cushion to allow for this.
Part of your initial research should involve
fi nding out what the local planning procedures
are, how long getting permission generally takes,
and if there are any restrictions in place. For
instance, while you may want to add a large
extension, planning restrictions may limit it to a
certain size, which may not fi t in with your plans.
Buying in Italy? You might think there’s plenty of
land to put a pool in, once you’ve got rid of the
olive trees. But be careful, in Puglia, for example,
olive trees are protected and cannot be removed.
And fi nally, make sure you’re aware of any new
regulations that may affect the work you’re doing.
For instance, from 1 January 2013 all septic tanks
in France have to be up to a certain standard.
Find out about these restrictions before buying,
and follow the correct procedures – otherwise you
might end up having to undo all your hard work at
a later date.
Mind the language barrier, too. If you need to
attend planning meetings it may be wise to take
an interpreter. You should also be aware that
permissions and so on can take longer than you
might expect.
When it comes to builders use tradesmen
who are fully registered and insured, and
preferably recommended by someone you trust.
And remember, an architect with knowledge of
the local planning regulations is as invaluable
as a good builder – often one can recommend
the other. If you can, it’s advisable to get legal
agreements – or at least an agreement letter
– drawn up detailing the cost of the work and the
start and fi nish dates.
AIPP CONSUMER GUIDE 17
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