Renovating a heritage listed house can be a challenging project. In property terms listed house is one that has been recognised by the local government as a building with important heritage for the area. Because of this there are certain limitations and considerations to take into account when planning on renovating heritage listed houses.
In this article we give you our expert tips on how to plan and execute a listed property renovation, so your project goes as smoothly as possible.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN PLANNING A LISTED RENOVATION?
Oftentimes people don’t think about what the listed status means when it comes to renovating or extending a building before they buy a heritage property. Research is crucial before buying a listed property so you have an understanding of what you can and can’t do if you need to carry out renovation works.
Many people fall in love with the aesthetic of old heritage cottages, just to later face the tremendous disappointment of finding out that they can’t simply knock through an internal wall to create a modern open-plan living space.
For Grade 2* or Grade 1 listed properties even changing a door requires you to gain a listed building consent. As the homeowner it’s seen as your responsibility to protect the heritage, history and character of the property.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t carry out significant renovations to a listed property, you just have to be very thoughtful and sensitive of any changes you’re planning to make and grain the appropriate planning permission before you do any work.
OUR TOP TIPS FOR RENOVATING A HERITAGE LISTED HOUSE
1. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE PLANNING PERMISSION YOU NEED
Your first and biggest concern before renovating a heritage listed house is acquiring the appropriate planning permission or listed building consent from the correct government bodies. If you’re unsure whether you need a planning permission or the type of permission you need, the best course of action is contacting your local planning authority to find out.
2. PROTECT WHAT’S ALREADY THERE
Original features such as timber beams, thatched roofs, window frames or external brick walls are typically viewed as part of the building’s original character. If these features are in good condition in your building you should do your best to protect them during the renovation to preserve the heritage look of the property.
3. CONSULT A SPECIALIST BEFORE STARTING YOUR PROJECT
If this is your first time dealing with renovation work in a listed building and you’re unsure on what to do, it’s always best to speak with a specialist. There are a lot more precautions you need to take when renovating an old building compared to a new one, this way you can avoid any mistakes.
4. USE APPROPRIATE BUILDING MATERIALS
To preserve the heritage characteristics of your house it’s best to use building materials that would fit the aesthetic of the property. If your property is located in a conservation area you are required to take extra consideration of the materials you use to ensure the original look of your property is preserved. Here at Cawarden, we have the largest selection of reclaimed building materials and cna help you find the right materials you need for your listed building renovation.
5. PRESERVE YOUR BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Renovating a listed property doesn’t always have to be carried out with the idea to modernise the building, it can also be done to restore and protect it for future generations. Periodic renewals, such as re-covering roofs, or renovating the exterior of the building can be done to restore a building to its true potential.
FIND THE BEST MATERIALS FOR A LISTED PROPERTY RENOVATION
As experienced reclamation specialists, here at Cawarden we stock a fantastic range of building materials perfect for renovating a heritage listed house. Browse through our amazing selection of reclaimed materials including bricks, roof tiles, patterned floor tiles and much more. If you need extra help do not hesitate to get in touch with our team and we will be happy to assist you.