Has anyone done a barn conversion?

[Mikey]

I'm considering doing a barn conversion locally, has anyone done one and are there any specific pitfalls to this that wouldn't apply to a standard conversion?

[taff]

whether it's listed or not.

[Alison]

Seem to remember that they can be quite funny about windows too, there was a couple of Grand Designs one time and they ended up with quite a dark kitchen as they were only allowed a certain percentage of glazing. Can't remember the details though.

[veggiechicken]

No stopping you now, Mikey! First its an old summer house, now its a barn. Whatever next?

[Alison]

As ever Google is your friend with things like this - if you look at itemm 4 on the attached link there is a list of some of the restrictions. Am guessing the fact that new openings are frowned on was why the window issue I mentioned above came about.

Barn Conversions

[bearded bloke]

I would advise you to take out shares in cellotex before starting the project Mikey Barn conversions have a really nasty habit of soaking up large amounts money getting the thermal efficiency to spec.
Exposed timbers (particularly ceiling & roof) may need to be treated with intumescent paint/varnish

A chat over a pint with the local building inspector may be prudent

[Newton]

Can be more expensive than a new build. But worth it for the character etc. is it sandstone? The sandstone that cam out of mine from window openings build a 50m length of 2m high wall.....check out my photos.

We used foil based insulation for the thermal qualities but forgot about the lack of sound protection. You can hear too much rainfall on the slate and the wind swirling!

Damp protection can be a problem. No damp course.....we used a tanking system.

Woth the effort though......good luck with the project......

[Florence Fennel]

You're a busy man Mikey. I wish you success in your venture.

[Patchninja]

My daughter and SIL have more or less just finished theirs. 3 years of work and tons of research, abiding to the planning restrictions....... but they have made the most beautiful home. Well worth the time and effort and it cost them a lot less than buying. Good luck!

[Mikey]

Cheers all,

The windows aren't a problem, as 2 of the buildings were Byre's so I'm able to replace the one open side with full height glazing, as these face onto an internal courtyard they don't distract from the original aestetic of the barn. The barns are a mixture of random and dressed stone and will need complete replacement of the lime pointing

The existing roofs are cement based asbestos sheeting, so I'm expecting some hefty removal costs there, the planners have asked for the roof to be replaced by slate but haven't specified that it be recycled, this will require all the roof trusses to be replaced as the existing ones aren't strong enough. All the guttering has to be black coated aluminium which I know is steep.

The DPC was the only thing that bothered me, I wasn't sure how effective injecting into stone walls was. I know we had it in the last house but it was there when we moved in so I've never costed that before.

I took out shares in Celotex when we did our current house BB,

I haven't decided yet whether we'll do it, I've got a busy weekend ahead of me costing the project and deciding if its within our limits. If I was doing a normal property I'd allow £1200 sqm as a rough guide, but I've yet to find a comparable estimate for Barns.