What You Need to Know About Renovating a Period Property in East Sussex

Here at Paul Stripp Estate Agent in Battle, East Sussex, we have regular conversations about ‘dream homes’, and for many people, owning a period home is the ultimate property ambition. 

Whether you’re a fan of country cottages, rustic farmhouses, stately homes or Victorian terraces, there’s nothing quite like owning a piece of British heritage. However, a potential drawback with this kind of property purchase is that they often need a touch of TLC before they are ready for a modern lifestyle.

Renovating a period property requires planning and a respectful approach to modernisation, so here is our guide to help you with your next project, whether that is in Battle, Sedlescombe, Ninfield, Catsfield, Etchingham, Robertsbridge, Brede, Crowhurst or other beautiful locations in East Sussex.

Consult an Architect First 

Before you make any changes to your property, you need to ensure that they don’t conflict with any planning restrictions. With a period property, it’s often best to consult an architect and/or a planning consultant as they will be able to advise you on the materials, costs, design and processes involved. While you can research the regulations yourself, engaging a professional will often save you money, time and stress in the long run. 

Use the Property as Your Guide

In our experience, the most successful renovations of period properties are those which take inspiration from the property itself. If the property is Victorian, for example, can you pay tribute to the period in your furnishings or décor? When you’re replacing windows and doors, they should be as energy-efficient and strong as possible, but consider choosing a more traditional style to maintain the external look of the property. Traditionally, windows had timber frames, but these can be costly and require a lot of maintenance, so you might want to opt for aluminium or composite frames with a timber effect finish.

Keep As Many Existing Features as Possible

When stripping away contemporary décor, you’ll likely expose some treasures beneath. You may find original features that have been forgotten, such as timbers, tiling, brickwork or boarded up fireplaces. You can use these original features while modernising other areas of the property to achieve a charming mix of the past and the present.

Conversely, the renovation process is supposed to help mould the property to your lifestyle, so don’t feel you have to keep an original element of the home if it doesn’t work for you. If you find features that you don’t want to keep, you may be able to relocate them or use them as materials in another area. Wood, for example, could be used to create furniture.

Maximise Natural Light

Older properties tend to have lower roofs and smaller windows, limiting the natural light you enjoy. A great way to maximise the light in your home is to add new windows or even to add bi-fold doors. These doors can replace an entire wall with glass panels that fold back in a concertina fashion to remove the barrier between the inside and outside. 

If you are adding new windows or bifold doors, you should also consider installing period style shutters. The shutters will not only look great with the rest of the property’s period features but will also make your home more private and provide an extra layer of protection against heat loss.

Don’t Fall Foul of Common Mistakes 

If you are a new homeowner wishing to renovate your first property, there are several common mistakes you’d be wise to avoid. These range from underestimating the cost of the work to expecting every aspect to run according to plan. Unfortunately, with any renovation task, unexpected issues will arise, and while you can’t prepare for all of them, you can help reduce their effect on your project. Here are a couple of other common mistakes to be aware of:

• Failing to get the correct planning permissions. 
• Tackling too much at once. 
• Failing to have a reserve budget.
• Focusing too heavily on aesthetics over practicality. 
• Forgetting to include the garden and exterior in your budget.  

While renovating a period property most certainly has its challenges, it can also be extremely rewarding, both in terms of your enjoyment of the space and the resale value of your home. If you’re looking for a period project in the TN33 area, drop Paul Stripp Estate Agency a message and we'll help you find it.