I would gift it to my son who is buying his first house. It is a late victorian two-up two-down that needs to be gutted and refurbished. It has a small north-east facing backyard. All his money is going into the purchase and he will be trying to do work to the house in his free time as he goes along. He works so hard in his day job and gets so stressed I would love to lift his spirits and help him make his new home into his dream home (ish). Even guidance into knowing where to start and what to prioritise would be helpful. It is a red-brick with rising damp, woodworm, no heating, needs rewiring, new windows, new bathroom, new kitchen....

The existing semi-detached house with garage to the side was modest but located with the most wonderful views of the sea. As such our clients decided to undertake a radical transformation of their home to which they were returning. The work included a large extension to rear to include GF bedroom, bathroom, utility room and open-plan living with new kitchen. Finished in zinc and with two gables the extension has a unique style. The existing garage which was in porro condition was demolished and a new lounge was built with a large area of glass to capture those sea views. The remainder of the ground floor was renovated to complete the transformation. “We decided to renovate and extend our semi -detached house which is located on the coast and has wonderful sea views. We liked the idea of open plan living so when doing our research we focused on companies with expertise in this area. We found the Shomera website first class in helping us to choose a contractor. We were also fortunate in being able to see a sample of work they did in the area. In addition to an open plan we also wanted a design which would enhance our enjoyment of our seaside location. Michael Fahy's excellent concept design really captured what we had in mind. The project was delivered on time and completed to the highest standards. It was a pleasure dealing with all members of the Shomera staff each of whom we found to be very professional. We particularly appreciated the weekly updates on progress and the work schedule for the following week sent out by Carol, especially as we were not able to be on site very often. We are really enjoying our newly renovated and extended home and have no hesitation in recommending Shomera.” Before: After: Before: After: Before: After:

I'm not a professional at all but just stating my experience from recent renovations - others will have their own. Obviously a recommendation from someone you know is best option. Only use different sub contractors if you have time to manage them, plan who does what when, conflict resolution, talking to suppliers, etc...oh and also choose all the material and items you need and deliver just in time! We tried a recommended builder on a small project (bathroom) before giving them two big projects. Wasn't the cheapest but they managed and brought in all the different skills at the right times. Delays are inevitable and not always the main contractor at fault e.g window supplier delivers windows but not doors! Not much you can do. Finally, future proofing a build does require getting your ideas on paper first and what budget you have. E.g running CAT6 cables is great but what devices will you connect and where? I recall drawing everything on paper from light switches and usb socket positions through to external cameras and weather sensor! Also I remember my insurance company oddly wouldn't accept a signed joint contract from our builder so do check any contract disputes are covered. I had a week's worth of sleepless nights before we ended up moving insurers for peace of mind. Good luck and this forum has a lot of great advice.

With regards to opening a new entrance on the south side of the house for a balcony, this should not be a problem although of course you will need a lintel above the opening. As for the balcony it really depends on what type you are looking for, but again this should not be an issue with regards to fixing it to the structural wall. There is a system called chemical anchoring and for me the best ones available are Hilti, which are bound to be available in Croatia. Basically you have steel pins, or threaded rods, which are inserted into a drilled hole and the chemical anchor is then injected. The result is something that will never move as the chemical bonds to the stone, concrete, etc. Care obviously has to be taken as to the structure to support the balcony, however a structural engineer can do this very easily for you. As to your energy situation this depends upon your budget. Solar is the obvious one and dependent upon your roof type and the direction that the house is standing, then these can be mounted on the roof. You could also consider a small wind turbine but of course this depends upon the wind availability and any local regulations. The other option is geothermal; this is a great option as it can be used to provide your heating and cooling needs however the initial capital cost can be high. There are however major advances in this technology and the costs are a lot less these days than they were. Have a look at google for some sites which may help you with budgeting. Other options to consider are solar panels which are for your heated water. Also consider whether or not you can drill a well for your water supply and also have water catching butts on you downwater pipes from the gutters. This water supply will be especially useful in the summer for watering your garden. I envy you your project as this looks like a very exciting one. Let me know if you need an independent project manager... lol :-)