How to buy a fixer-upper

Before

This contemporary bathroom is in a two-bedroom bungalow that the owners renovated over a period of two years. They tiled the bathroom themselves with the help of online tutorials and hired a plumber to fit the sanitaryware from the Big Bathroom Shop

Before

‘ We alway s re commend that home owner s who are planning improvement s make a contingenc y budget in case of une x pe c te d cost s, and this has be come par ticularly impor tant while we continue to se e such uncer taint y in the market. Inflation is really af fe c ting the price of home improvement and is a big contributing fac tor to the increase s we’re se eing as the cost of raw materials continue s to soar.’

Our expertsay s... Mike Fairman, CEO at Checkatrade

A tired two-bed flat became a functional, sophisticated home with a complete remodel and the creation of an openplan kitchen-diner. The transformation was so successful that it won Zaluga Developments the National 2021 Master Builder Award for London’s best small renovation project

R E S E A RC H C E I L I N G PR I C E S

Set a budget for the purchase and renovation and stick to it. Figure out a fair purchase price by checking what equivalent local properties, both requiring work and fully renovated, sold for on Rightmove and Zoopla. Also get an estate agent to give you an idea of the property’s ceiling price (the maximum it will sell for), as well as its predicted post-refurbishment value to figure out which jobs will get the best return on your investment. You’ll also need to determine how much the renovation work will cost. Labour and materials costs are rising and can change fast, so its more important than ever to ensure you don’t overspend. To avoid doing so, set aside a contingency fund to cover any unexpected costs or price rises.

A SS E SS T H E STATE O F TH E H O U S E

It’s vital to know what you’re getting into and whether structural or other major repairs will be required. On your first viewing, check for large cracks in plasterwork, missing roof tiles and signs of damp – flaking plaster, staining on walls and ceilings, and musty smells are all giveaways of damp. Once you’ve decided to buy, get a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Level 3 survey (previously called a full structural survey) done before exchanging contracts or the auction date. The survey contains detailed information on the property’s condition, risk and causes of potential or hidden defects, an estimate of costs and timescales for remedial work, and recommends further action to be taken.

C H EC K F O R TH E N O N N EG OTI A B L E S

Even if you’re happy taking on a property that requires complete refurbishment, there are some that should simply be avoided, however much of a bargain they appear to be. Anywhere with ongoing subsidence is unlikely to be granted a mortgage and could be impossible to sell at a future date. Steer clear of anything with Japanese knotweed as it can cause structural damage, and be wary of a house with private drainage – meaning it’s not connected to the mains drain – as you’ll be responsible for maintaining it. Avoid buying a non-standard construction property – such as a timber-framed building – as you may have problems getting a mortgage and reselling it.

‘ I b r o u g h t t h e C o t s w o l d s t o m y r e n o v a t e d L o n d o n f l a t ’ Emily revamped the tired décor in her city flat to re-create the soothing feel of the rambling countr yside

Emily was inspired by Instagram and her travels abroad. She believes originality is key when transforming a home

Like the rest of Emily’s home, the bedroom has had a full refurbishment and boasts new windows, carpet and a grey-painted tongue-and-groove wall

The flat had beautiful bones but a shortage of practical storage. Most of Emily’s clothes were previously stored on this built-in bookcase that came with the flat

A custom-made wardrobe with rattan panels provides plenty of storage, and incorporates a chest of drawers and an exterior rail

When Emily Champion bought her twobedroom, south-west London mansion flat in 2019, she fell for its size, character and quirks, but knew that it required extensive renovation. It had rotten wooden window frames, dodgy wiring, a leaking shower and lacked storage. ‘The flat was liveable and I loved all of its quirks. But it had become dated and a little unsafe, so a lot of work was done to remedy that,’ she says.

Her inspiration was the Cotswolds. ‘Lots of London flats are super modern and that’s gorgeous, but it’s just not me. I’m all about the Shaker kitchen cupboards and stripped-back, exposed woodwork,’ says Emily. She gutted the flat and decamped to her family’s home while it was being updated. The old kitchen was replaced with chic farmhouse-style painted units, an island, a pantry, a Belfast sink, a range, integrated appliances and rustic stone flooring. ‘A classic Cotswolds home always has a farmhouse sink, a beautiful AGA and muddy boots by the door, but you don’t really see that in London,’ Emma says. ‘I’ve got flagstone flooring that you don’t usually find at the top of a mansion block, which makes me love it even more!‘

One bathroom was given a complete rustic revamp, while the other went black and white. A teal media unit streamlines storage in the living room, but Emily is particularly proud of the tongue-andgroove wall behind her bed and her new bedroom wardrobe, which was inspired by one she saw in a Provencal château.

The building work and decoration were finished in five months. Although the kitchen and woodwork are bespoke, Emily kept within budget by reusing some of the original elements, including exposed wooden doors and shutters, and shopping for vintage, pre-loved furniture and accessories. ‘When you do a refurb, not everything has to be new,’ she says. ‘I wanted to keep the original quirkiness of the flat where possible. I tend to delve into vintage and charity shops – I love the sustainability of giving something old a new home. If you want to resell, you probably don’t want to go crazy as it will limit your buyer. Go room by room, do some DIY, be creative, have fun!’

Find out more about Emily’s home renovation at @championinteriors on Instagram.