HELP where do we start Renovatation?

Okydoky25

We are in the process of buying our 1st home. It needs lots of work and wondering where to start!

We want to knock down walls downstairs and move a staircase. We plan in a few years to build a 2nd storey ext ontop of the kitchen to add a bedroom so figure while doing the work downstairs we may as well get the upstairs in place to accommodate this ext.

To do this we will need to put a hallway upstairs cutting off some of the bathroom (not a problem it's huge!) Whole house will need redecoration.

Anyway where to we start? Do we need to get an architect to do drawings to give to a builder for quotes / planning inspections or will a builder be able to do work without drawings or supply these themselves?

Also we want to get started as soon as we get the keys so are we allowed to get builders in before completion for quotes? House is empty, keys with EA.

diywhynot

Take a look here to start.

GrowingUp

get a structural eng to check the walls your want to open up first may not be as simple as knocking them down.

check the link posted above, some sound advice there

ListysDad

You've had some good advice but I'd add something else.

I know it may sound daft, but begin the process of engaging trades people now.

Firstly, you have to find people you trust and to do that when a deadline looms is almost impossible. Secondly, ask for their advice up front. If they baulk they are not for you and if they don't they are. Ultimately they will save you both money and heart ache.

PLEASE do not employ a 'builder'. Find a ground worker, brick layer and all the other trades and don't be afraid to ask each trades person for their recommendations. Builders , in general, simply get individual trades in but at the cheapest price but charge you for the privilege.

What you then need to do is have firm in your own mind what it is you want as a final home. By then talking to each of them they will work with you so you do things only once and plan for the future whilst doing work today. What that means is if you want new heating say but will later have and extension you put in perhaps a bigger boiler and some valves so that instead of having to drain the whole system when connecting up your new extension all that's needed is to open some valves. You get where I'm coming from.

It may well cost you a little extra on today's job but ultimately it will be much less then taking each job in isolation.

HTH