Organising renovation

mahoney

Hello,

I'm in the process of buying a house which requires some work doing on it. So...I'm wondering how to kick things off...Will I need to call in the individual people - electrician, plasterer, kitchen fitter, decorator, etc, or would one person / company be able to do everything? I'm a bit stuck as to who does what. Is it the "builder" who does most things? For example, who would sort the floors out - I want wooden floors, carpet in maybe one room.

Thanks all.

loulou41

The house I bought did not need any work done when I viewed visually. After I had the survey, loads of works need doing. I employed a builder and he acted as a co-oridinator if I wanted an electrician, plasterer etc. I just told him what I needed doing. I wanted wooden floor and he recommended somebody for me. He was not the cheapest but I was pleased with his works.

maggie111

I don't need any building works doing - but I am in the process of buying a house which needs a lot of renovations. I'm in the fortunate position of having family who can advise me what needs doing first - so perhaps you can post your specific questions and see what advice is given?

I need central heating, electrics doing and a new kitchen - and the rest of the house needs modernisation. I will not be getting the services of a "builder" - I don't need any walls knocking down etc.

Our rough plan at the minute -

Move in
Get electrician in to quote works on getting the place rewired.
Get plumber in to quote on central heating
Get kitchen planner in to quote for kitchen.

I assume with these 3 they will advise what works need doing first - and I will need information from some of them for the other ones... For example, I need some electrics near where the new boiler will go - the electrician or plumber will advise if the electrics need to be done before I put the boiler in so that there is electrics for the boiler... Similarly, I need to have a plan of the kitchen so I know where the boiler will go.

I'm not sure if I'll need electrician before plumber... But I do know it's those two first and then kitchen, and then decorating (so I can splosh paint on the floor) and then flooring (which will need to be fitted around the kitchen).

sixtyplus

If a re-wire is needed get this done first. It affects the whole house and is a really mucky job. Plasterer then needed to 'make good' and he can do any other plastering jobs too.

nomis21

Seek down a good builder with a good reputation, ask for references of previous work and ask to see pics of job he has done in the past ask local people for recomendations... he may not be the cheapest but you will get a good job done.
If you manage to find a reputable builder, he will know relevant tradesmen to do the job he cant like an electrician, plumber etc.
Most good builders will be able to do most jobs or they will have an employee that can do the work eg a joiner or plasterer.
Look on websites like The Federation of Master Builders and make sure you do your homework before employing a builder.
I have seen some really shoddy work from people who call themselves tradesmen and know people that have been ripped off from cowboys within the trade.
Research is the key...!

mahoney

Thanks.. I would like a second bathroom putting in. Who would give me a quote for that.? (builder, plumber?) Apart from this there is only a small part of wall which needs knocking down.

Framps

Like a lot of jobs, this is a multi-skill activity. Plumber, electrician, plasterer, decorator - best get a reputable builder in who can project manage, co-ordinate - and in most cases, supply - the different tradesmen.

jamtart6

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1186031 come join the fun! we have all virtually project managed our own renovations so lots of advice.

You could gte a builder in to co-ordinate everything but with a tiny bit of effort for the amount you want to do you could do it yourself and save some money.

For a bathroom ring plumbers for a quote (at least 3 - I usually get 5!)