The unique "Period PROFILE" is a full report on the historic and aesthetic qualities of your home, including a suggested plan of restoration, illustrations of period features, information sheets, a list of books and periodicals and details of suppliers etc.

Original features such as doors, windows, fireplaces, staircases, architraves and cornices should always be retained as they will add to the value of the property, but which are original and which are not? Period PROFILE can determine this for you.

Once we have determined which features are original we can suggest a programme of restoration. This may be a whole house programme or a room by room scheme, the choice is yours.

Period PROFILE can provide illustrations of the correct period features to guide you. We can also list dealers and suppliers in both architectural salvage and reproduction pieces. If necessary we can undertake a search on your behalf.

A. This will depend upon the size of your house. The full package starts at £90 for a small, 2 bedroom house, rising to £135 for a medium sized, 3-4 bedroom house and £180 plus for large houses with more than 5 bedrooms. Abbreviated profiles are available for one or two rooms and start at £36. The package can be tailored to individual needs and further quotes are available on request. 

A. A further charge will be made to cover the cost of transport and accommodation. Please contact Period PROFILE for an accurate quote. Every effort will be made to keep these charges to a minimum.

A. From initial visit to completion usually takes 2-4 weeks.

A. The completed house profile is presented to the client as a fully bound, A4 size volume complete with drawings, illustrations and other invaluable information.

A. A typical house profile consists of the following:-

• A detailed room by room assessment of the house listing and dating the original features.

• A record of changes and alterations made to the house during its history and how this has affected the original fabric.

• A list of modern additions.

• A suggested programme of restoration. This is a detailed room by room catalogue of the work required to return the house to its former glory.

• Illustrations of period features such as doors, windows, fireplaces etc. to ensure that the restoration work blends in with the age and style of the house.

• Standard information on the right and wrong ways to approach the renovation of an old house.

• Lists of books and periodicals essential to owners of old properties.

• Lists of recommended dealers and suppliers at both national and regional level. These include architectural salvage, antique and reproduction furniture, paints and plasterwork, timber products and fireplaces.

A. The house profile is NOT a structural assessment of the building. If this is required then a surveyor or engineer must be employed.

The profile will not contain a detailed history of the house. If this is required then a Period PROFILE House History can be ordered. 

A. In three ways :-

• If you are having trouble finding an item then we can run a search on your behalf. the fee is 12.5% of the cost price, so on a cast iron fireplace costing £360 the fee would be £45.

• Interior design schemes can be drawn up for your consideration. These are based upon a sound understanding of the history of interiors and great effort is made to blend with the age and style of the house. The design will also take into account the need for modern amenities so kitchens and bathrooms can be planned to fit comfortably into the overall scheme.

• If new building work such as garages, porches and extensions is envisaged then before approaching planners, builders or architects we can provide concept drawings to ensure that the finished work blends in with the age and style of the building. Concept drawings are priced at £36 per A3 sheet. 

A. Contact Period Profile to arrange a visit now. This initial consultation is free and should take around two hours.

• Make sure all areas of the house are accessible.

• Try to uncover boarded up fireplaces if possible

• If you are in contact with the previous owners ask them what work they carried out on the house.

• Read as much as possible on old houses. Period Living magazine is published monthly.

A. Do not be taken in by high pressure salespersons who will try to sell you:-

• PVCu windows and doors. Removing original doors and windows is the one sure way to ruin a period house as well as lower its value.

• Off the peg fitted kitchens. An unfitted look is more sympathetic to a period house. Bespoke units are less expensive than most people think.

• Modern block paving. Natural, traditional materials are what one should aim for.