Looking to improve an older property rather than sell? The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) holds its first weekend homeowners’ course of the year next month.

Making the right decision for your building is critical to adding any value in a difficult market, and owners of period buildings in particular often find it hard to gain practical, straightforward information and guidance.

SPAB’s weekend course is designed to give people who care for older or period buildings the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about the care and repair of their building.

The weekend covers a range of topics including treating damp, timber decay, general approaches to old buildings and conservative repair, roofs, listed building consent procedures, interiors and finishes, and choosing professionals.

Courses are led by experts in the field and give homeowners access to the kind of advice and guidance that is difficult to obtain, whether they live in a moated manor house or a Victorian cottage.

The course equips homeowners to start asking the right questions when they or their builders tackle a project.

The weekend is also helpful for those who are considering buying a period property or who have recently done so and who now need guidance on the best ways to repair it.

The course features question and answer sessions and a close look at case studies. It also offers the chance to meet like-minded enthusiasts and fellow owners of old and listed buildings whose own experiences and stories provide an inspiring and relevant backdrop to the sessions.

Running from 9.30am to 5.30pm each day on in London on March 21-22, the course cots £140 per person, including lunch and refreshments. It takes place at SPAB’s Georgian HQ in Spitalfields. For more information or to book, telephone 0207 377 1644 or go to www.spab.org.uk