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Definitely interested to hear more. Honestly I’m amazed that a big build project is cheaper than buying somewhere a bit dated but basically fine and just living in it. I realise it can be cheaper - obviously developers and builders do up and sell on for a profit all the time - but I didn’t think it worked out that way for retail customers.
brokenbetty-
Thnx all who commented. It's hard to summarise the past years of dancing with planners, banks and builders but below are 5 images.
We could only afford this because we bought it cheap; it was badly listed and there were legal issues with a freeholder. It also helped the costs were spread over so many years. And I did a lot myself: planning negotiations, daylight calculations, party wall, project management, design details (e.g. CNC cut spiral staircases)... We are very lucky to have a good architect, structural engineer and an amazing contractor. I learned a lot, much of which I'm hoping not to need again anytime soon. When it's over, I will probably write up a more detailed account of this.
edit: sorry, image order messed up.
meneer
Bought a shop with dilapidated outbuilding in Surrey Quays 5 years ago. Took a while to get planning and money to convert the outbuilding into a 2 bedroom house, the shop will be our studio (my partner and I are artists.) Contractor has been on site for exactly 1 year now and we’re moving next month. Never wanted such a big project but it’s the only way we could afford to own in London. May at some point write up some list of mistakes I made.