Tired 3 bed 1900's terrace. How can I make the exterior look nice?

Comments (18)

PRO
PWJ Architects Ltd
6 years ago
Hi,

You may need to seek planning permission if you wish to change the external appearance of your property, such as different colour window frames or a new external render.

Your local planning authority will be able to assist you with this.
G K thanked PWJ Architects Ltd
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Front hallway- I say save your money leave it up. Cost of removal is minor but you will likely have to move radiators and electrics and make good plasterwork and coving- I say protect another £1500 profit. Present the larger back reception as a living room and present the front reception as the dining room. Given that the bathroom is likely to go upstairs make the downstairs bathroom into a room to access the garden- I would present the kitchen as a kitchen/breakfast room with doors to see the garden as being able to see from the front door to the back garden should pay dividend.
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Hi Ben, I'm a researcher with Openlight, a new startup looking to change the way homeowners buy and install windows in their home. We're at the very early stages of our business and looking to chat with people like you to learn more about your experiences and what can be improved. Would you be willing to have a conversation with us? Let me know and we can figure out the best way to get in touch. Thank you for your time and help!
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Well, Gary, you have got some great ideas coming in. I turned 70 last year and my family in 1967 bought a brand new townhouse that was an exciting place to live. It had three split-level floors making about 7 levels (not quite designed by Escher!) My advice is look at the inspiration for British 60s houses - that came from 1950s America (and earlier). Draw out the essence. Think: Clean lines / Timber / Brick / Harmony / Balance / Simplicity (and I am sure you are!) You are so right to steer away from the grey format you describe. Attaching 1) a contemporary colour chart for door inspiration and 2) images solely for the cohesive simplicity of window shapes.) These are some thoughts that I have: 1) The porch: Could it be constructed out of SIPs - thereby giving more insulation? Possibly cheaper, easier and cleaner to build with than brickwork? The side panels could be clad with cedar that just wraps round onto the front wall each side - maybe 15cm? (To give depth.) Maybe a very slightly sloping crimped zinc roof on top? Look at the front width of the porch and pretty much divide it into two. Have perhaps a door with a square clear glass pane on the right (like your image above) AND make the adjacent window the same size square aperture as in the door. Maybe some cedar cladding under this window? 2) The other windows: If these could be based upon the same square format (as above) and tip / tilt. The kitchen window could comprise two tip/tilt opening almost square windows and these be echoed in the first floor bedroom above. The bathroom window naturally lends itself to a square pane. NO frosted or reeded glass anywhere! ...Even if it is 'authentic'! 'Roller blinds' were used a lot then and provided an interesting layer to the windows plus a nice slice of colour! Surely no-one would consider vertical strip blinds!!!!???? 3) The front door colour: (I really will have to 'get over' the fact that PVC double-glazed doors cannot be painted like a good old wooden door...!) So, my recollection is that mid-sixties colours in Britain were actually not quite so primary as we think but often a little bit 'slubby'. This makes them more interesting I think. ...Ignore the contradictory red doors below!! 🤣 Images of evocative clean styles - windows mainly.
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Sonia
6 years ago
Forgot to say my front door was oak veneer over pine (keeps the price down) and I painted it in Farrow & Ball's Cooks Blue. As it is sheltered by the porch it should last years. I too have uPVC windows, yes they're naff but keep the house very cosy and easy to keep clean, so let's not knock them! Good luck with your refurb.
G K thanked Sonia
Doo LM
6 years ago
Sorry to hijack your post, but could I ask where your beautiful door is from please Forzaitalia? Just what I'm looking for
Jonathan
6 years ago
Since your choices are governed by profit you should choose the option that is most cost effective. I would also like to see the exterior door gone but lots of buyers will appreciate its practicality. I also suspect that it's removal will affect the bay and making good will be expensive.
In which case you take the option that is cheapest that looks smart. This will likely be an inexpensive door with a flawless paint finish and bright door furniture.
andrewbooton
6 years ago
I'm with Jonathan. Additionally, take down the nets and clean the windows well inside and out including the frames. Don't put the nets back up! If you must put something up for privacy, go for broad slat Venetian blinds in standard sizes that you can take to your next project.

Also, take care of the basics outside: weed removal, tidy garden/yard, no litter, etc. You do not to need to spend much to make things look appealing to your target audience.
PRO
User
6 years ago
I prefer the original config with the Front door set back. Keep the windows and then put up nice wooden post for the rest of the porch. Put up shutters inside instead of nets. Then go for different traditional colour combo's:-
Ral Green / Beige 1001 with a white front door
Green / Beige with a Grey front door to match the canopy and slate roof
White render with a Red front door
Dundrum 16
6 years ago
I think you need to balance investment with kerb appeal. The additional outward opening front door is much less attractive than the original configuration, so while it might cost less than removing it and making good, it may put off prospective viewers and reduce selling price.
PRO
Bathroom + Kitchen Eleven
6 years ago
I love the look of the middle photo that M.A.T.H provided. This really does make a huge difference and gives the house moor curb appeal - which in turn will draw in more potential buyers.

Shannon
Sonia
6 years ago
Louise M, I hunted high and low to find paperwork relating to my front door and I just couldn't find a thing - no email, so receipt, nothing and I just can't remember who I bought it from. All I can say is it was an online door retailer. It was about 5 years ago and cost about £189. It was not solid oak, just veneer. I did try searching online earlier but could not find the exact door anywhere, but there were similar ones. Sorry I couldn't help!
Doo LM
6 years ago
Oh wow, good find! Thank you for looking, much appreciated x
alyper
6 years ago
Agree that the best look would be to remove outer door but for refurb purposes make sure it's worthwhile for your budget. It seems there is a pipe coming through to the left for instance, brickwork would need to be made good, tiling for porch. All adds up to quite a bit, and maybe painting existing door, removing the nets, painting the front, would make a great difference for a very small outlay - and DIY too!
Ludo Gallagher
6 years ago
Paint the window frames and upvc. Check out sandtex who offer upvc paint. Choose a dark colour as they make things recede. White makes it pop. Who wants ugly upvc to pop?
karencarter44
6 years ago
I can see why you want the porch but perhaps a sliding door would be better? If it is being sold on you dont want to spend too much but would leaded patio doors across the width be an option? I assume the porch makes the lounge quite dark. You should get P/P to change the front window design.
squibrb
6 years ago
Hi

I’m also a developer/PRL, and the best price of advice I was given when I was starting out was to remember that on low to mid range profit projects (if not all projects) controlling your spending is the most important thing to remember, and every £ you spend is a £ less profit.

I too hate uPVC windows and would not have them on my own home, but many people do like them and see them as a positive when it comes to buying/selling – just look at the houses either side of your house, and I assume along the whole of the street; people do like them!

With my developer head on I would suggest that you try to work with what you already have - clean the uPVC frames inside and out with a solvent based professional cleaner, these really shift dirt and marks, and to a certain extent make scratches less noticeable as it removes the ingrained dirt. Replace the interior handles – new ones can be found online at around £1.99 each if you bulk buy. Replace any worn seals with a new universal fitting seal (approx £16 for 20m). If any of the windows are blown/misted, look at replacing the sealed glazed unit instead of the whole window, again the sealed units can be found quite cheaply online.

With regards to your porch, it looks like it is integrated with the front window, so removing it would be a time consuming and costly job, so I would leave it as is and possibly look at just replacing the outer door, ideally one with a glazed panel to give a bit more light. I know you said you don't like uPVC doors, however, composite doors are more expensive. As you won't be living there does it really matter if you install a white uPVC door, as long it is the most tasteful and least offensive one you can find. An alternative would be to install fully glazed French doors with both sides opening, which would possibly mean that the doors can open inwards. All of these can be bought online and be fitted yourself – however, you will need to check if you will require a FENSA certificate issuing for the work, otherwise this could cause issues when you come to sell.

I wouldn't advise painting the uPVC, as it is really difficult to obtain a good finish, and nothing looks worse than poorly finished paintwork either inside or outside.

As others have said, remove the nets, put up some nice curtains (these can be removed and reused on other projects), don't worry regarding privacy, as again you will not be living there, and it will allow more light into the room. If the privacy angle does bother you, you can always put a plain white voile (costs around £2 per m, and a couple of £ for the rod) up at the window with little or no fullness, which gives a more modern, less fussy finish.

I would move the dustbins to the rear of the property, and put a couple of large pots in the front garden – I tend to use Olive trees as they can be shaped and don't mind too much if they aren't watered regularly – these can also be removed and used on other projects.

Hope this helps – and good luck for the future!
PRO
User
6 years ago
Best advice:- In my former life as a property developer, before I 'retired' to become a Handyman..........Ha Ha Ha ( I have more work than I can shake a stick at, and it didn't really go to plan! ).

Look at what is selling at what price in your chosen area. Find out the target audience and what they expect compared with would like.

Ask the advice of the local Estate Agents as to what would add value.

It's most important to know the Target Audience and give them what they want.

Set the budget. Don't get drawn in to expensive items that you don't need ( depending on the type of house / area )

The way to make the most is to do your own labour. It's Labour bills that kill a project. Your labour is free, therefore, if you disregard the cost of your purchases, the only outgoing per month is the mortgage payment. This will be peanuts compared to paying for Labour. It's also important how you've set yourself up so that you avoid paying more tax than you need when selling or purchasing another. Property Development Tax Rules
alyper
6 years ago
Last two Comments - good solid advice. Just what Houzzers need!
G K
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all for your valuable advice. It is all very much appreciated. Thanks folks. All the best.

United Kingdom

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Tired 3 bed 1900's terrace. How can I make the exterior look nice?

Sonia

Comments (18)

PWJ Architects Ltd

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Tired 3 bed 1900's terrace. How can I make the exterior look nice?

Comments (18)

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