Your Stress-Free Guide to Renovating a Period Property

Do you dream of living in a cosy cottage, or a stylish Victorian terrace? Period properties are a much-loved choice for home buyers and can attract a hefty price tag. For many people, the best way to own a period property is to buy one that requires refurbishment. 

Renovating a period property can be an exciting process, and you can find all kinds of treasures along the way. From fireplaces that have been covered over, to beautiful tiled floors hidden beneath carpets, you are sure to make some surprising discoveries. 

While there are many benefits of renovating a neglected property, there are drawbacks too. It is wise to get a full survey carried out so that any structural issues or major problems can be detected. If the house is in a particularly run-down condition, and missing vital functions such as a working bathroom or kitchen, you may struggle to get a traditional mortgage. In this situation, you may need to look into alternative finance options such as a bridging loan from Alternative Bridging Corporation.

Getting Started

The idea of transforming a derelict property into your dream home can be a daunting prospect. To prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed, it is useful to break the refurbishment down into stages. The first stage will focus on getting the basics sorted. Any issues that were picked up by the surveyor will need to be rectified at this stage. 

At the beginning of the refurbishment, it is essential to get tasks such as plumbing and drainage issues sorted and for a rewire to be carried out if required. It’s best to get these basic functions sorted out first so that you know everything is in good working order, and avoid future hassle.

Be Inspired

Once the basics are sorted, you should be able to breathe a sigh of relief and move onto the next exciting stage of your project. Creating your dream home requires a lot of imagination. Visualising a beautifully decorated house can be difficult when all that is in front of you is the shell of a building. This is your chance to get creative and let your imagination run wild. Take a look at interior design magazines and blogs to get some inspiration and see similar renovation projects.

If you want to create a truly vintage-inspired look for your home, then looking at examples of home design from that era can be useful. You can find examples in specialist interior design books, by shopping at flea markets and visiting exhibitions to help you create an authentic vintage look.

Stay Calm

While you are renovating, there are bound to be a few hiccups along the way. Try not to let these setbacks throw you off course. If you are feeling stressed, try to focus on how much you are going to enjoy living in the house once it is complete. The effort you put in now will be well worth it when you can sit back and enjoy your beautifully renovated home.