Bristol Living Feb - Mar 2020

LOOK BEFORE
YOU LEAP
While the SPAB warmly encourages people to
take the plunge and make an old building their
home, it’s easy to be swept away by romance. SPAB
Director Matthew Slocombe offers a checklist of
key considerations to help potential buyers make
the right choice – both for themselves and for the
building of their dreams.
THINK WITH HEAD AND HEART
Old buildings are more than a space in which to
live. If all that really interests you is location or floor
area, an old building is unlikely to be right for you.
If you appreciate style and character, and are keen
to embrace the quirks and idiosyncrasies of an old
building, the potential rewards are great.
COMPROMISE TO GET WHAT YOU WANT
For the majority of buyers, historic interest is a
desirable factor but not the key. If your number
one aim is to live in an interesting old building, but
your means are limited, compromising on other
requirements can sometimes help.
CONSIDER AUCTIONS
Many old buildings needing work are sold at auction.
This can be a way to find an interesting project, and
perhaps also a bargain. But the buyer must beware
and it is especially important to do your homework
seeking specialist help in advance.
GET GOOD ADVICE
The cost of professional advisers can seem offputting,
but sound advice is an investment. There
are accreditations schemes run by the RICS, RIBA
and AABC and the Society can offer suggestions via
its Technical Advice Line (0207 456 0916 weekday
mornings). The advice of a structural engineer,
conservator (see ICON’s accreditation list), quantity
surveyor or historian may also be invaluable.
ADJUST YOUR LIFESTYLE
Occupying an old building brings huge benefits
to your quality of life, but don’t expect it to be the
same as a perfectly level, hermetically sealed modern
box. Floors may slope, windows may be draughty,
and elaborate modern services may be difficult to
accommodate.
RESEARCH AND UNDERSTANDING
Understanding an old building includes knowing
how it’s put together and what it’s made from, as
well as the uses it’s had over time and the changes
previous owners have made. Combine this with
background research, advice from organisations like
the SPAB, and knowledge from neighbouring owners
and a rounded picture of the building should emerge.
DEAL WITH THE BORING THINGS FIRST
Kitchens, bathroom and decorative works may be
most fun, but they should be bottom of your list.
Fixing the roof and making sure the gutters, drains
and electrics work will provide you with a sound
basis from which to make other changes.
REPAIR IS GOOD
Building conservation is a branch of environmental
protection and sustainability: repair is better than
replacement. Decay is rarely uniform and repair
can allow the undamaged parts to remain. An
old window with 20% new timber is better for the
environment and our history than a new window
with 100% fresh timber.
MAKE SURE MATERIALS ARE COMPATIBLE
New, innovative building products can be valuable,
but historic buildings are not generally the place
where they should be tested. The potential for side
effects is great if incompatible materials are used.
KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS
The SPAB has always encouraged a hands-on
approach. There is no better way to get to know
your building than through practical work. However,
it is important to know the limitations of your
own skills, to consider safety issues, and to get
training if you are unsure. The SPAB and others run
practical conservation courses. If in doubt, call on an
experienced craftsperson.
ENJOY IT!
An old building deserves to respected and cared for,
but it should be enjoyed rather than revered.
Call the SPAB Technical Advice Line on:
020 7456 0916
36 | www.bristollivingmag.co.uk