Buying A Fixer Upper In London – How To Turn Any Relic Into A Unique Home?

Purchasing a property that’s in need of repair can be an ideal way to craft your dream home and get everything you’ve always wanted.

While buying a fixer-upper might seem like an ideal way to create a bespoke home, it’s also a major project that’s definitely not for the faint-hearted.

The average cost of modernising a property is 15.8% of its original value, and it often takes months or even years to complete a full remodel.

In London, where housing is extremely expensive, buying a cheaper, older home that needs extensive repairs could be a more affordable way to get on the property ladder and live in this bustling and vibrant city.

House prices in London are currently falling slightly, but average prices remain high, and so buying a fixer-upper could be the only way many individuals will be able to buy in the capital.

If you’re looking to buy a home for a renovation project in London, then you’ve got a major challenge ahead of you. These tips should help you get started and find ways to create the perfect property that meets your unique needs and expectations, however high they might be.

Buying A Fixer Upper In London

Focus On Location When Buying

When you’re looking for the property of your dreams, remember that the location is the most important factor. Almost every other aspect of the property can, and probably will be, changed, but unless you buy a boat or a caravan, you can’t relocate it. So, you need to choose a property in the right location. Consider local schools and the community around you when selecting a property.

The purpose of the project will dictate your dream location: if you’re planning on flipping the home or keeping it as a rental property, then you’ll need to consider the most popular neighbourhoods and areas that have plenty of amenities. If you want to move into it and transform your property into your dream home, then you can think about your preferences and requirements.

Do A Deep Clean

Any empty property for some time or has been neglected by its previous owners will probably be dirty and might be exhibiting signs of damp or mould. There may also be a pest issue if the property has been left empty for months or longer, as insects and other vermin often occupy old homes. So, before you begin your renovation project and start putting in new features and décor, you need to deep clean your property.

This work can be difficult and disgusting, so you might want to consider working with professional cleaners and pest control experts. While this will increase the cost of your project, it’ll be worth it as you can make the most of their expertise and cutting-edge cleaning equipment. You’ll then have the perfect blank canvas and can see what improvements need to be made and how you can design the interiors for your dream home.

Check The Wiring And Electrical System

Wiring and electrical fixtures can deteriorate over time, leading to potentially deadly faults. As such, one of the highest priorities for anyone who’s just bought a fixer-upper is getting the wiring and electrics checked by a professional. That’s especially true for very old houses or abandoned homes that haven’t been lived in.

An EICR test from London-based specialists like Hexo Electrical Testing can help you to ensure that you know how safe the property is and if it needs full rewiring or any additional work. If you do need to rewire the property, you can get a domestic EICR once the work is done to ensure that it is safe for the property’s future inhabitants.

Decide On Structural And Exterior Changes

Before you get down to the fun part and start designing the look and ambience for your property, you need to consider the structural changes you need or want to make. Some of these might include fixing serious problems, such as underpinning the property to stop subsidence, fixing the roof or having damp proofing done to get rid of moisture rising from the ground. These repairs will take more time than decorating and designing the space and will account for a significant portion of your renovation budget.

Still, fixing any major structural issues is vital for ensuring that your property is safe for everyone who lives there in the future. Additionally, structural changes can also help you to design the right space for you and your household by adding extra bathrooms or changing the size of rooms. Take the time to make a plan after you’ve done your initial cleaning and safety checks of the electrics so that you can get the bulk of the work done quickly and efficiently.

Enhance Original Features Where Possible

Many fixer-uppers are older homes that haven’t been modernised, which brings advantages as well as disadvantages. While you might have to spend more time and money adding modern conveniences, you’ll be able to make the most of original features such as traditional tiles, stained glass and beautiful vintage fireplaces.

Make the most of these features by cleaning them and enhancing them so that you can incorporate the property’s original look into its new design. Other homeowners who want a vintage look have to spend thousands to get replica items made, so you should count yourself lucky that these features are already available.

Find Plenty Of Design Inspiration

Now you’ve cleaned and renovated the structure of your fixer-upper, you can get started on the fun part: designing the interior! Décor and furniture buying are perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of fixing up an old property, especially if you’re creating your dream home for you and your family to live in. Before you start buying everything you see, you need to get ideas and inspiration. That means finding colour schemes, design themes and rough ideas. Check out the best interior design magazines and blogs to find inspiration and see what other people are doing with their homes. You can then start shopping for everything you need to turn your fixer-upper into a comfortable home where you can make amazing memories.

Measure Twice For Furniture And Installations

When you’re searching for furniture and in-built fixtures for your new home, you need to make sure that you have accurate measurements. Most property listings come with rough measurements in their floorplans, but these aren’t always 100% accurate.

Also, if you’ve adapted the property and changed the size of the rooms, then you’ll need to measure them to make sure that you know how much space you have. Measure everything twice and write down the details in multiple units of measurement, as some furniture suppliers use metric or imperial interchangeably. With accurate measurements, you can ensure that you buy the right size décor and furnishings the first time around and don’t have to return any items, which can take time and effort.

Buying A Fixer-Upper: A Quick Summary

For ambitious individuals who love a challenge, buying a fixer-upper in London and renovating it could be an exciting and potentially lucrative project. However, that only works if you’re prepared and vigilant. If you’re not, then it could be an expensive and stressful endeavour. In some cases, buying a fixer-upper could be more expensive than purchasing a property that’s ready to live in and enjoy. However, crafting your dream home can be fun if you take the time to plan your home improvement project. Use these tips to make the process easier and get inspiration for your remodelling project so that you can create your dream home.