Winchester Lifestyle 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.
Authenticity can’t be re-created
If you want something genuine and
authentic, recreation of lost parts is unlikely
to act as a fitting or worthwhile substitute.
Look for genuine survivals. It may be that
fireplaces have been boarded up and plaster
overlaid with modern materials, but if the
originals survive behind this offers a much
better starting point than a gutted interior.
Choose something that will fit your
longer term needs
Look a few years ahead and try to consider
whether the building is likely to fit your plans.
If you think you might need more bedrooms
or a bigger kitchen, consider whether the
building is likely to be able to accommodate
this without major change. In a modern
house, adding extensions or knocking down
walls may be relatively straightforward. In an
historic building it may not.
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.
Purchase is not the only possibility
If living in an old building is your goal, but
prices are unaffordable, other options
may exist. The commercial rental sector
general lets buildings that have been heavily
updated, but estates, farms and some
private owners may offer old buildings to
rent in a more rustic state.
Distinguish between decorative and
structural needs
This is vital. Small cracks are normal in old
buildings and can be easily remedied as part
of the redecoration process; larger cracks
may hint at structural movement.
Get good advice
The cost of professional advisers can
seem off-putting, 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.
Put together the right team
If work is needed, the right team will be
crucial. Consider not just price, but the
expertise of team members. Listen to
craftspeople - good ones know exactly
what they’re doing and the expertise is often
under-appreciated.
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.
Don’t ignore consents and other statutory
requirements
Planning consents and building regulation
requirements should always be adhered
to. This is particularly so in the case of
listed buildings. If you buy a listed building
that has been altered without permission
you inherit the liability and enforcement
action could be taken against you. If you
alter or demolish a listed building without
permission you could be prosecuted.
Don’t count on grants
Grants for private owners were once
relatively common. They are now rare and
should not be counted on.
Settle in before making big changes
A vacant house offers an opportunity
to tackle problems without upheaval to
occupants, but avoid the temptation to do
too much, too fast. A period of occupation
ADVERTISING FEATURE
often brings realisation about what’s
necessary and what’s not important.
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.
Scratches and Witches
Loving the lumps and bumps is all part of
old building ownership. Appreciate them
as part of the building’s character and
history and avoid erasing them for the sake
of tidiness. Think too about witches! Old
surfaces often carry superstitious markings
designed to ward off bad spirits.
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.
Get involved but know your limitations
The SPAB has always encouraged a handson
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.
Good new design
Where a strong and justifiable case exists
for a change or addition, sympathetic
new design offers the best approach.
This requires good design advice and a
thoughtful choice of materials.
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
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