What order to do the DIY?!

kford224

andrew-b wrote: »

Since August 2006, we've spent about £16k for:
new boiler £1945
new kitchen £6,750 Wickes..including £3,385 for fitting by them which included electrics, moving gas pipe but not tiling/decorating/stripping out... though i wouldn't make that mistake twice!
Since the kitchen i got into DIY in a big way and put in a new bathroom £3k ...completely DIYed apart from £460 for plasterer.
Spare room cost about £200 to decorate including curtains, lampshade, curtain rail.
New UPVC front door £550.
UPVC soffits and fascias £1750.
Recently decorated hall ...not added up yet what spent but i'd guess less than £150.
Bedroom we haven't done much on at all.
Kitchen, hall and spare room we have used lining paper rather than having replastered to keep costs down.
Then i guess i've spent about £1k or so on my workshop (aka shed!) ...essential as we don't have a garage.

The other week we put new curtains in bedroom...that was about £100 for 2 sets of curtains and 2 curtain poles alone! One set that came down (previous owner's) has been used to replace a tatty pair of curtains in lounge that were a foot shorter than the window (had made do since 2006!).

BTW - Thank you for the prices, tis really helpful to see what these things cost!!

tyllwyd

Plastering - don't underestimate how damp and messy a job this is. Even if you are only getting walls re-skimmed, it will mess up ceilings and skirting boards. Then you have to wait a few weeks for it to dry, and do some rubbing down creating lots of dust that loves to get trodden through the house. Then when you come to paint, you will need to allow at least one extra coat to cover the bare plaster. That's not to say don't do it, but be aware of what you are taking on!

kford224

tyllwyd wrote: »

Plastering - don't underestimate how damp and messy a job this is. Even if you are only getting walls re-skimmed, it will mess up ceilings and skirting boards. Then you have to wait a few weeks for it to dry, and do some rubbing down creating lots of dust that loves to get trodden through the house. Then when you come to paint, you will need to allow at least one extra coat to cover the bare plaster. That's not to say don't do it, but be aware of what you are taking on!

Thank you! We are hoping to start work in May and then do work over the summer, eventually moving in around September, so hopefully we'll get the plastering completed a little while before we move in! (That is the plan anyway!! :cool:)

dave82_2

No not new at all. They look like this http://www.bathroom-envy.com/images/uploads/Honeywell%20radiator%20valve.jpg

They have been around for as long as I can remember

dave82_2

kford224 wrote: »

Thank you! We are hoping to start work in May and then do work over the summer, eventually moving in around September, so hopefully we'll get the plastering completed a little while before we move in! (That is the plan anyway!! :cool:)

One last tip it will take you twice as long as you think!

We wanted to be done by xmas and its looking more like the summer.

kford224

dave82 wrote: »

One last tip it will take you twice as long as you think!

We wanted to be done by xmas and its looking more like the summer.

Eek!! OK thanks, worth baring in mind!!