Barn Conversion.

[Tilly2]

Can anyone tell me approximately how much it would cost to do a barn conversion. The barn has planning permission for conversion to a four bed dwelling. At the moment it's an empty barn.

I have no idea how much it would cost to make it into a lovely home.
I do understand that it would be dependent on the spec. of the fixtures and fittings but I'm looking for a rough figure.
Thank you.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

£150 000 upwards depending on spec level.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Bright Spark. I was expecting the baseline figure to be higher than that.
We wouldn't be doing it ourselves. We would have to get a 'company' to do it I suppose, if such companies exist.

[EcclesCake]

I was going to say £200k. You will find architects who specialise in barn conversions. A friend of mine won awards for his conversions but I suspect he has now retired, I'll check for you.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Eccles.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

If you're not going to do any of the work then £200,000 would be a better starting point.A friend has just completed same and the cost was £160,000 with a lot of his own input.He used a timber frame within the existing skin.

[The Builder]

The last one I did was around the 200k mark. Incidentally, I like to use the method His Brightness mentioned.......... a timber frame inside the stone wall exterior.
Fantastic levels of insulation can be achieved with that method as well.

I love converting barns. Good luck Tilly.

[ELVIS68]

Most of the ones I've seen on Grand Designs go over budget by at least £50k so have a few quid in reserve just incase

[Tilly2]

Some excellent answers here. Thank you all.
I've had a look around today and there are companies that do specialise in barn conversions.

The Builder, do you live and work anywhere around North Staffordshire by any chance?

It's early days yet. We are looking at a couple of possibilities. We just needed to know what the budget might possibly be.

[Khandro]

There is programme on 'More 4' every evening at 7:55 and some of the conversions are quite extensive and yet seem to be done at very reasonable cost particularly when you see the cost of a ready-built property.

[The Builder]

Tilly...... afraid not. I'm down in Devon. I think the travelling time might be a tad excessive :o(

[Tilly2]

Thank you Khandro. I'll have a look at that programme.

Oh, Devon, The Builder? Yes it's a long way from there to here.

[Khandro]

I used to live in the Cotswolds and many barn conversions were done there including several by friends. One problem is how much the local planning committee want you to stick to keeping the exterior as unaltered as possible. A problem with barn conversions, particularly if it is a large one, is if you are not allowed to include all the windows you would like, they can be a bit dark to gloomy inside. Typically there is one very large window though stretching onto two floors where the original barn doors were.

[Tilly2]

That's good to know, Khandro. I'm not sure I could live in a gloomy house. Thanks for the advice.