Renovating G-Rated 1930s Cottages Demands Bare-Shell Stripping, Surveyor Warns

Upgrading a G-rated 1930s cottage with no central heating effectively requires stripping the property back to a bare shell, a quantity surveyor has warned.

Shay Lally, a quantity surveyor from Houses to Restore, outlined the structural realities of bringing a typical 1930s cottage up to modern standards. For properties featuring no central heating, a G-grade Building Energy Rating (BER), and a roof comprised of wood panels covered with tiles, the required works are extensive.

According to Lally, addressing a G-grade BER rating means the structure must be stripped back entirely to its bare walls. Additionally, resolving issues with a wood-panel roof requires complete removal of the existing roof structure. For projects involving extensions, connecting the existing dwelling with a new build involves knocking through walls.

Lally noted that while a precise cost cannot be determined without an in-person assessment, buyers of such properties are effectively purchasing a structural shell rather than a ready-to-occupy home. However, he added that starting with a blank canvas can often make the renovation process easier for builders to execute.