House remodel ... where to start?

mto

Hi everybody :wave:

We are in the process of buying a 1960s house and want to remodel the inside and stick a single story extension on the back. The remodel would include moving stairs, moving walls (upstairs and down) fitting in an en-suite, utility room, new kitchen & bathroom. However, we don't even know where to start.

Do we find a builder first, or do we need to get someone to draw up plans and if so would that be an architect or interior designer? Who would be the best person to try and help us maximise the space we've got and suggest ideas for the above? Can anyone recommend any books/magazines/websites that might hlep us?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, mto

daveyjp

As you need initial ideas I'd contact a local architect. They will also be handy for preparing the building reg plans.

mto

Do I actually need an architect (sounds expensive) or will somebody advertising "plans drawn" in the local paper be OK?

daveyjp

Drawing the plans is the straightforward part, what you pay an architect for is their knowledge of space planning so they get the most effective use of the property. They will take guidance from your brief and prepare plans based on this.

Cost will only be a few hundred quid which is a small percentage of the total project. A good design can save you money.

Thunderbird_2

Hi

Get friends around and talk to them about your plans. Every time you speak to someone, you should be able to get a new idea or perspective on your plans. Think about how doors will be opened and the flow of the rooms and the light. How to get maximum living space without compromising the number of bedrooms.

Down stairs toilet is a must these days. Master ensuite is nice. If you have 4 or 5 bedroom, consider another bathroom or shower room.

This book is a must have, in my opinion, to any one who has not attempted house renovation before The House Builder's Bible http://www.amazon.co.uk/Housebuilders-Bible-ninth-Mark-Brinkley/dp/1905959443/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352676041&sr=1-1

Another useful book is Colin DIY manual. It should give you an idea on how to do or how things are done. Helpful when discussing things with builders. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-Manual-Albert-Jackson/dp/0007425953/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1352680923&sr=1-1

I would recommend getting both books.

Measure the rooms. Draw on walls where walls to be re-instated. Mark the space with boxes so you get a good feel of the re shaping of the rooms. Think about adding windows if corners are dark or going to be dark. Plan your sockets and where your furniture likely to be for lamps, TV fridge, bedside cabinet etc. Also, sockets on hallways for lamps or vacuum cleaner on each corridor or landing.

Think about future use of the house or if you come to sell in 5 or 10 years. Plan your radiators' location according to your use and likely furniture locations. If not specified, plumbers might stick them back to back in adjacent rooms to minimise the pipe run and cost. Consider chasing the pipes up the wall behind skirting board for the radiators rather than sticking up in front of the skirting boards to get that extra neater finish.

Have a look on Right move to see what others have one. You might see something you never considered but you will like. More importantly, you might see things you don't like and helps you avoiding them. Look at houses of similar age to yours in more expensive areas to see what is the full potential.

If you can not decide yourself what to do, then architect is a helpful start. However, if you know what you want to do, just get a structural surveyor who is a civil engineer at the same time to give accurate calculation of the beams you need when removing some load bearing walls. You just show them around and say which walls to be removed and they should do the rest.

Then you need builders to quote you for the job. Try to keep the same specification and information for each builder (obviously) so that you will have meaningful and comparable quotes. While builders doing the work, ask for plumbers to give you quotes. You will want plumbers to do the first fix BEFORE the electrician (trust me on this one). After first fix finished, plastering commence, then second fix and decoration.

You might want to consider system boiler with unvented mains pressure cylinder if you have or plan to have more than one bathroom. For this, you need to check your mains water pressure and the flow rate (plumber). If your mains is lead pipe, your water company might replace it free of charge.

For your single storey extension, consider have deeper foundations for 2 storey extension should you want to add another storey in the future. Obviously, this is depending on the house layout whether or not a 2nd storey is feasible and what you plans are.

I am sorry for the lengthy reply, but I thought give my 2 pence worth.

All the best.

ETA: You will need to notify Building Control for a good chunk of the work you plan to do. Usually, you need to do so BEFORE the work commences. Your rear extension might need Planning Permission on top depending on how big it is (or did the Tory abolish this? I don't know) Check with the local Council.