Old Town Property were engaged to undertake a full house renovation for a client based in Hackney, London to their parent’s property in Broadstairs, Kent.  

The brief: A complete refurbishment, rip-out through to helping find a tenant for long-term let.  

With Old Town Property’s extensive knowledge of the South East Kent rea and links with local estate agencies, we began the job of tailoring the refurbishment with a mind on letting the property from the outset, establishing budget, scope and time-scales.  

This refurbishment in Broadstairs involved the supply of a new roof, a mid-range kitchen, two new bathrooms, re-wire, re-plumb, new flooring, some minor structural alterations and decorations throughout to attract a rental in keeping with current seaside towns values.  

All works undertaken in 5 months, and with a client who visited sunny Broadstairs twice during the whole refurbishment process.

All communication was done remotely or by the power of Facetime! This saved the client huge amounts of time.  

Tenants are now settled into the Broadstairs property on a long term lettings agreement and the rent is coming in!  

If you would like to discuss your upcoming refurbishment or redevelopment project with Neil, get in touch today.

Pricing a renovation project is always tricky. There is the drive to meet client expectations on budget and affordability, whilst ensuring every last detail of the scope of works is covered and of course, making a profit to ensure the quality and speed of progress are sustainable not just on the project in question, but for the business as a whole.  

What we have found at Old Town Property Services is that there can be a huge discrepancy between what a client thinks the cost of a renovation will or should be, and where the actual cost lies. This can drive an end decision not based on quality, project delivery and programme but cost, and cost alone.  

This should be carefully considered and whilst understanding that everyone has a budget, to expect a top quality job, top quality trades, aftercare and delivery on programme for a price that is significantly below other quotes received just doesn’t add up.  

Advice from Neil at Old Town Property…

Get your quotation itemised as far as possible, discuss it with Old Town Property and make an informed decision not one based on pure cost, it could come back to bite you.. 

The final part of the decision making process is to speak to recent clients, look at recent projects completed and do your research. You’re about to spend large sums of money on your most valuable asset in many cases, take your time and get it right!! 

If you would like advice or guidance for your upcoming renovation or redevelopment contact Neil today.

In these changing times, there has been a huge influx of people investing in properties the East Kent area.

We have identified that our clients are seeking a less-stressful way of life, they are adapting to working from home or are investing in a property for lettings purposes on Airbnb or similar, yet time remains precious, and they are uncertain as to who could undertake this work for them in an area that may not be entirely family.

We’ve summarised the three main reasons our clients are refurbishing their property:

1. To increase the home’s value

Our clients often want to maximise the value of where they live; for some it’s a loft conversion or other structural change and others a new kitchen or general modernisation, both reap immediate returns and a step to getting the most you can when your property goes on the market.

You can read more about on the commercial benefits of a refurbishment in our recent blog post.

2. To increase your comfort or enjoyment

Many of our clients are spending a lot more time at home, living rooms have become workspaces and outbuildings transformed into gyms. We have discussed and managed modernisations that pave the way for a better way of living, as well as managing projects for out-of-town clients – some of which are managed virtually for clients who lead busy lives!

3. To prepare for a short or long-term let

The objective of many of our clients’ renovations is to get their home ready for rental – whether it by a long-term rental, or a short-term via Airbnb or similar. From concept through to design we have upgraded, fixed and re-designed properties to get them in top shape for rental in a matter of weeks.

4. To improve the home’s function 

Renovating a home function can increase usable space and of course add value! A loft conversion could add up to 30% to your property as an example, or a kitchen extension up to 15%. We will focus on the potential returns during the consultation phase of your project.

Let Old Town Property Ltd handle your home renovations. Get in touch by phone or email to discuss your project in more detail. 

Every one of our clients has a different motive for their renovation, refurbishment, conversion of the loft or extension of their property.

Old Town Property Services is always focused on is the return in investment.

It may be for a lifestyle change, to provide additional living space, modernise what was already there or to prepare for the rental market, but one thing Old Town Property Services is always focused on is the return in investment.

A recent example…

Second home purchased in Broadstairs, Kent, for £375,000 by a family from Hackney, London. No work had been carried out on the property for over 30 years. The scope of Old Town Property Limited’s remit was a complete rip out, re-wire, new kitchen, replace half the roof, internal structural alterations, new family bathroom, full garden redesign incorporating tree removal and patio area, flooring throughout, decoration.

Old Town Property Services Limited offered a fixed cost estimate of £80,000, work completed within 14 weeks, then revalued by local estate agents at an average of £545,000. That’s a profit of £90,000 on investment.

Old Town Property cannot take all the credit, the client bought a fantastic property in a great area, in need of total modernisation and invested in Old Town Property Services to deliver their return on investment.

On a smaller scale, there can be significant returns on investment on straight-forward refurbishments, loft conversions and extensions, these returns are always considered and discussed prior to commencement by Old Town Property Services to give our clients a realistic expectation of their return on investment.

Read our recent blog that explains the expected costs for your next house renovation or refurbishment.

The client: Mr and Mrs Fisher from Buckinghamshire.

The scope: Complete rip out, remodelling of internal layout, and all internal finishes including new bedroom, bathroom, flooring, rewire, property frontage and garden renovation.

The property is an investment and is located ideally to take advantage of the buoyant AirBNB market in Margate Old Town, and to provide a secondary home option to the family.

The timescale: 6 weeks in total from rip out to the family enjoying the last two weeks of the summer holidays.

Budget: £20, 000 excluding kitchen purchase, which the client purchased directly.

The clients attended site once throughout the six-week programme, regularly updated through a formed WhatsApp group and regular video calls. This blew their mind and provided them with valuable additional time and complete piece of mind, success. Exactly what Old Town Property Services was set up to do.

Old Town Property received a fantastic testimonial, 5-star google rating and a recommendation leading to another project from this first-time client.

If you would like to discuss you future renovation project, get in touch with Neil today.