Acquisition and complete refurbishment including planning and licensing
Project - Cambridge Acquisition and Refurbishment
Introduction
The university town of Cambridge is steeped in history. Not only is it home to one of the leading universities in the world, but it also hosts some of the foremost healthcare, tech, and research companies globally. Its easy commute to Central London further makes Cambridge one of the UK's most competitive property markets.
Project Brief
We were tasked with securing an apartment close to the River Cam in Central Cambridge that offered good value and was suitable for complete renovation. The property needed to offer a rental return that would make the capital investment economically viable and be positioned for significant capital appreciation over the medium to long term.
For this project, our team undertook the following steps:
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Acquisition and Feasibility Study:
We secured the property and conducted a comprehensive feasibility study to assess its potential. -
Design and Refurbishment:
We designed the renovation project and executed the refurbishment, ensuring that the property was transformed to meet high standards. -
Planning and Licensing:
We managed the process of securing the license to alter from the freeholder, arranged for building regulations approval, and obtained the necessary certificates from the local authority.
Our Approach
Feasibility Assessment
Our team considers various factors when assessing the feasibility of refurbishing any property. For an apartment, in addition to planning and building regulation constraints, structure, layout, and size, we also review:
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The structure of the building
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Access and storage on site
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Lease terms, particularly regarding permitted works and required licenses
Once these checks are passed, we move on to the detailed design and planning stage, followed by thorough costing and scheduling of works, along with associated timescales.
Project Execution
Upon commencing work on site, we provided regular video progress updates and ensured that contractors adhered to the schedule. We maintained high standards of work quality, addressing any expected issues and assisting with design and finish solutions as needed.
Result
Our refurbishment team completed the breathtaking transformation of this property within the scheduled three-month timeframe. The property was transformed from a dated 1960s apartment into a brand new, high-end interior finish, featuring designer bathrooms and a beautiful open-plan kitchen and reception area. The property went on the lettings market and received several offers at and above the asking price on the first day of viewings.
What our client said about us
My family had been looking for an apartment in Cambridge by the Cam for years. The logistics were daunting as we are based overseas.
Being introduced to Jaimie Beers who was strongly commended by friends in Asia who have worked with him previously made all the difference!
Jaimie and his team helped vet the apartment we were considering and acted on our behalf in-market to negotiate and concurrently liaise with the legal firm, through to a successful completion. He was very prompt with updates keeping very close tabs on each stage of the transaction and paperwork. I particularly appreciated his quick and clear responses on email and WhatsApp.
Jaimie also offered refurbishment services. A value-for-quality package was agreed on upon which he and his team carried out the works to high standards. The regular photos and clips Jaimie sent over gave great assurance on the progress and care taken in the workmanship.
I highly recommend you speak to him on your housing needs!
Ms Khoo
