Understand the visible renovation scope, likely cost drivers and questions to resolve before committing to a property in St Andrews.
Local questions to resolve before renovation
Check shared-letting planning and licensing
Fife Council’s St Andrews house in multiple occupation (HMO) overprovision policy starts from a presumption of no further growth, but each application must be considered on its merits. Renewals and recent changes of ownership are among the policy exemptions. This does not guarantee a licence or mean that an existing licence transfers automatically. Before buying or changing a property, confirm the licensing position with Fife Council’s house in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing team and your solicitor. Proposed changes to occupancy, escape routes or fire precautions also need to be checked.
Listing and original fabric
Confirm building status and identify affected joinery, fireplaces, floors and room arrangements. Obtain consent advice for the proposed changes.
Plans and materials for the rooms ahead
Small moments, thoughtfully considered
Heritage comments and the planning process
Have your designer explain relevant heritage comments and possible revisions. Consultation responses inform the process; they are not a consent decision.
Medieval rubble behaves differently
Assess older rubble construction from its materials, condition and past repairs. Obtain specialist advice on moisture and proposed alterations where needed.
What the pre-purchase feasibility check includes
The standard walkthrough reviews visible construction and the information available about the property, including homes you are considering buying. Concealed conditions remain unknown until investigated. Invasive investigation can be arranged and priced separately. This is contractor-led feasibility advice, not a structural survey, valuation or legal report.
A paid, structured assessment that gives you a written record before you commit.
The non-invasive walkthrough
Arranged around access availability. Before or after you make an offer, before is better. We review the visible renovation constraints and the information available about the property.
Planning questions and next checks
We review visible construction, available records, cost drivers and questions to resolve. Planning decisions, legal advice, valuation, structural assessment, specialist investigation and design remain with the relevant authority or appointed professional. Hidden conditions and a proposal’s acceptability are not established by the visit.
Realistic budget range
Based on current contractor and material costs. Where relevant, an assessment of the cost premium for heritage-standard materials and the additional requirements of working within a listed building or conservation area.
Written feasibility summary (PDF)
Delivery timing is agreed with you. The written summary includes plain-language findings and priorities, likely scope, cost drivers and questions for the appropriate professional.
Fee offset against project
The pre-purchase renovation walkthrough is a paid service, with the fee credited towards your project if you go ahead with Sweet Homes. We agree the fee and credit details with you before booking.
How the feasibility check works
Straightforward. You share the listing, we walk the property, you get a written record.
Get in touch with the listing
Share the property listing link and any photographs you have. If you have specific concerns about listed building status, conservation area constraints, or planning rules, bring those questions to the conversation. Send your enquiry by form or email. We will reply and arrange a follow-up call to talk through the project.
We agree the visit and fee
We agree the fee with you before booking the pre-purchase renovation walkthrough. We confirm the visit date around seller availability.
The non-invasive walkthrough
We walk the property with you, or alone if you cannot attend. We check the Home Report and available records, then confirm the implications for your proposed work with the appropriate professional.
Written summary
Your written summary records visible observations, construction scope, cost drivers and unresolved questions. Delivery timing is agreed, and the record is yours to share.
Renovation questions to consider
Changing rooms in a licensed shared property
Confirm how bedroom, escape-route, fire-precaution and facility changes affect the licence and planning position. Use the council’s requirements to define the construction work.
Altering partitions in a listed townhouse
Confirm listing and identify the partitions and original fabric affected. Obtain consent advice and any structural assessment before defining the work.
Modernising a building with older fabric
Record visible material changes and interfaces between construction phases. Agree further investigation of moisture, structure or materials before specifying openings, insulation or repairs.
A proposal attracting heritage comments
Ask your designer to explain relevant heritage comments and any revisions. Use the resulting proposal to define construction work; comments are not a consent decision.
Ask about a feasibility walkthrough in St Andrews
Tell us about the property and what you would like to change. We can discuss the scope of a paid renovation walkthrough and agree the details before booking.
Where we cover around St Andrews
We advise customers at their properties in St Andrews. Our registered office handles registration and mail only; customers do not visit it. St Andrews does not have a direct rail service; the nearest station is Leuchars.
Not sure if we cover your area? Call or email with the property address and we will confirm.
St Andrews feasibility check: things worth knowing
Confirm the position with Fife Council and your solicitor before buying. Applications are assessed on their merits, with policy exemptions for renewals and some recent ownership changes. Neither an existing licence nor an exemption guarantees approval or automatic transfer.
Confirm how room, escape-route, fire and facility changes affect licensing and planning. Establish the council’s requirements before defining construction work.
Ask your designer which consultation and character issues apply. Consider relevant comments while keeping the council’s decision separate.
Confirm listing and identify affected original fabric. Obtain consent advice for the particular internal or external changes.
Set work from the actual fabric, condition and previous alterations. Obtain investigation or design advice before specifying insulation, openings or repairs.
Define intended occupancy, bathrooms, kitchen facilities, ventilation and access. Confirm planning and licensing before relying on the use and pricing fit-out.
We agree the delivery timing with you. The PDF records visible findings, unknowns and likely cost drivers, and can be shared with your solicitor or another contractor.
Related services and nearby locations
Pre-purchase renovation consultancy
Auchterarder feasibility check
Bridge of Allan feasibility check
Renovation cost guide
What this actually costs you
The pre-purchase renovation walkthrough and written summary are a paid service. We agree the scope and fee with you before booking. You can take the written summary to any contractor. Sweet Homes may also quote for later work. The fee is credited towards your project if you go ahead with Sweet Homes. We agree the credit details with you before booking.
For the wider scope of the advice, see our renovation consultancy service.
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12-month workmanship warranty for construction work under a separate project contract; this does not cover the paid pre-purchase advice itself
Review figures checked 23 October 2026.
Guides before a local advice appointment
Read these general guides before asking about local renovation advice. The scope and appointment arrangements are agreed for your property.