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Renovating a Lane House

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MahamYe

Rocker

Joined: Jan 07, 2004
Posts: 613

Status: Offline

Posted: July 31, 2006 - 01:23 PM
Post subject: Renovating a Lane House

I would love to hear experiences with those who have attempted a renovation of a "new" lane house (circa 1930's & 40's). We are negotiating the Shanghai lane house real estate market and finding it to be like the wild wild west. We have gained some useful insights from chatting with others who have undertaken similiar projects, but would love to hear more war stories...

-Any agents to reccommend/avoid?
-Perhaps some questions that you wished you had known to ask prospective contractors during the interview process?
-Reccommendations for independant appraisers/structural engineers?
-hidden costs to consider when renovating?

Also, would like to hear the perspective of those who rent/own homes in the lanes. How do you like lane life?

Thanks!!!

Neroccio

Barker

Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 192

Status: Offline

Posted: July 31, 2006 - 06:52 PM

I think these guys have done quite a few renovations on lane houses in shanghai... I read about an eco-renovation they did that sounded kinda cool in one of the xpat mags a while back... not sure if you want to get architects involved but just in case ..... http://www.azerozero.com/

oreo

Barker

Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Posts: 158

Status: Offline

Posted: July 31, 2006 - 09:27 PM

I sent to a real estate seminar put on by the Amcham in May. One of the panelists was an architect / designer named Linette Kilbourn. Not sure the name of her firm. She had some really good insights about what to do / what not to do / how to do it when it came to renovating old homes in Shanghai.

oreo

Barker

Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Posts: 158

Status: Offline

Posted: July 31, 2006 - 09:33 PM

BTW we just moved into a lane home and love it! Built in 1937 so has the same charm / challenges of an old home - uneven stairs, gorgeous old windows, high ceilings, uninvited six-legged critters, etc. Very private, neighbors are friendly.

hcaerad

Seeker

Joined: July 25, 2006
Posts: 61

Status: Offline

Posted: July 31, 2006 - 10:10 PM

I had lived in a lane house for around 2 months, I leaned Ma Jiang from neighbour--a 70 years old lady, do you have interest of that?

Latte

Barker

Joined: July 12, 2005
Posts: 174

Status: Offline

Posted: July 31, 2006 - 11:25 PM

Also, I heard there is an organization called shanghai archtecture or something to that nature whose primary purpose is to view and study the old houses in and around shanghai. You might want to check into that. Sorry I dont remember the exact name. Maybe someone here might know how to contact.

sosrepair

Newbie

Joined: July 04, 2006
Posts: 9

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 01, 2006 - 01:56 PM

Old chinese neighbours will make you trouble if you are too noisy, and I mean TROUBLE, like insults or go into your house etc ... (it happened).
Of course it isn't true everywhere !

Concerning the renovation as if you buy a new condo in a building, (I mean a concrete condo not decorated) it would be good to change all the electric system, changing the water piping system could be necessary !

You should also take care of the insulation (for heat and for water) however some houses are pretty well preserved and the structure is strong and safe !

ToBo

Seeker

Joined: July 24, 2006
Posts: 59

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 08, 2006 - 06:41 PM

yes, and be sure you take the time to do any renovations. Our experience doing designs for residential and commerical projects in SHanghai has shown that not working out a realistic timeline causes real problems in the end. Great design is essential, but only half the battle...smart schedule and good project mananagement are what's needed to finish the job right.

Good luck and let us know if we can offer any assistance.

mrperegrino

Barker

Joined: Apr 19, 2004
Posts: 139
Location: Shanghai- Pudong
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 08, 2006 - 08:57 PM

Just finishing up on a lane house renovation... I'm an american expat doing custom electronic systems... music, home theater, lighting control, computer networks, etc. He remodeled/renovated the whole house (I just help with the wiring).
The owner went through some real challenges with this project, If you want I can pass on your info to him, he might be great for you to talk to.