Cottage renovation project in midlands

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Brumel

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Hi all,
I'm currently viewing some properties in the Cavan/Leitrim area, with the view of purchasing a traditional Irish cottage with a few acres in a remote area. The plan is to use this as a bolt hole over bank holidays and summer months. I'm looking for a fixer upper, and to engage an architect who will design, and renovate and address all the planning regulations/permissions etc.. I have found and an architect in Dublin, and I like his work - which he has posted on his web site.
My questions are:
As I'm based in Dublin, am I better off trying to source an architect in the midlands closer to the cottage? I'm concerned that the Dublin architect with his travelling to and from the site, will eat up a good chunk of my budget.

Does any one have any recommendations on architects that might specialise in cottage renovations Cavan/Leitrim area?

As my aim is to purchase in a remote area, how do other cottage owners deal with their cottage security? I've heard so many horror stories, houses been broken into and stripped, caravans on the site upon their return, heating oil stolen etc..

Thank you in advance.

Brumel.
 
Why are you looking for a few acres to surround a "bolt hole"? From experience, having even one acre presents a very major issue just keeping the grass cut. Re: security, there's not a lot you can do other than trust to luck if you're determined to buy somewhere as isolated as it sounds.
 
I bought a bolt hole in Kerry and I employed an architect from Dublin to draw up the plans for me.

I too, like his work on his website. He specialised on making maximum use of small spaces.

I project managed the work on the ground myself.
 
We bought a remote "bolt-hole" several years ago. I don't want to go into too much detail as it would have the space of a novelette. Whatever about an architect, employ a good engineer to check subsidence and ensure he carries out the test correctly (and not just tick a box on a form). If there is a flat roof over kitchen needs to be replaced immediately by a decent roof.

You will need to maintain the property and adjoining lands.

. . . . and a few more things:-
1. You would be well advised to buy groceries locally when visiting.
2. You will need a keyholder in case your alarm goes off, which it will.
3. Bring your new neighbours on board; if you don't, you're history.
4. You're a card carrying supporter of Leinster Rugby, wear the shirt etc - join the local GAA club (mandatory for any forward thinking Cavan/Leitrum wannabe.
5. When visiting attend Sunday Mass. Smile benignly at the priest and ignore the bum notes hit by the choir.
6. You call into the local pub after Mass and of course there are some locals smoking at the bar counter. Don't even think of advising anybody about smoking regulations.
7. Mrs Brumel can play an important part towards your "acceptance" and get used to being referred to as "the Dublin Crowd."
8. Which reminds me, know your Dublin GAA team because it is of interest to the rest of the country. If you can't talk about Dublin GAA, you've had it even before you start.

Best of Luck.
 
4. You're a card carrying supporter of Leinster Rugby, wear the shirt etc - join the local GAA club (mandatory for any forward thinking Cavan/Leitrum wannabe.
5. When visiting attend Sunday Mass. Smile benignly at the priest and ignore the bum notes hit by the choir.
6. You call into the local pub after Mass and of course there are some locals smoking at the bar counter. Don't even think of advising anybody about smoking regulations.
7. Mrs Brumel can play an important part towards your "acceptance" and get used to being referred to as "the Dublin Crowd."
8. Which reminds me, know your Dublin GAA team because it is of interest to the rest of the country. If you can't talk about Dublin GAA, you've had it even before you start.

Best of Luck.[/QUOTE]

What a load of poop!




to answer the OPs questions: yes I think you should engage a local architect as they might be cheaper than the Dublin fella and also will have knowledge of the locaility etc. No harm in helping local economy too.

re security, my only suggestion is to speak to the nearest neighbours, hopefully they will be nice enough to "keep an eye" on it for you. also leave a key with them in case alarm goes off etc. and don't keep any valuables in it when not there.
 
Your concern about home heating oil being stolen is very valid. This does happen. And there have been cases where the oil is stolen by way of creating a hole in the tank to drain it, the property owner doesnt realise, gets a full refill which ends up all over the ground (disaster on a few fronts :eek:)
I have a holiday cottage in Sligo. I have gotten around this by using drums of kerosene which I buy from the local fuel depot, (costs around 16 euro per drum), with a dip tube going directly from the drum to the boiler. I don't get the tank filled at all. I always have a back-up drum in case one drum runs out, which is locked up in the shed. During the winter we get around 5 days from the drum. Its a tiny bit more expensive this way, but alot more secure. If you're only using it for the odd weekend and summer holidays, it doesn't work out expensive.

Also, Sligo are useless at GAA so I have no wories on that front.
 
Thank you all for responding, and sharing those interesting ideas.. Another issue that arose after seeing a property that I really like in Leitrim, was poor drainage on the property footprint. The whole site seemed to be very wet and marsh like.Can anybody suggest how you would resolved this on a 2 acre site?
 
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