Advice on garage/kitchen refurbishment before purchase

paulr70

Hey All,

We`re currently in the process of buying a house, the kitchen is very dated so we want to have it redone asap after completion of the purchase. Because its quite a weird shape we`d like to convert
part of the garage to create a large rectangular kitchen and a shower room and utility area adjoined.

We`ve asked a builder to the house and he`s quoted us roughly for the work.
Question is could we get all the relevant drawings done and building regulations sorted before we buy the house, its a risk if it doesnt go through but would speed up the process. Thats if the seller is willing for another visit for measurements.

Also there is the issue that this particular builder doesn't want to commit any date understandably as they have 4 months of work schedule already. Anyone done similar and found a builder willing to pencil in a date for works. Otherwise I can see us moving in and stuck with a horrendous kitchen for months.

Thanks alot

Typhoon2000

Drawing fine, engineer calculations for any beams. Building regulations inspection are done during and after the works.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

paulr70 wrote: »

Otherwise I can see us moving in and stuck with a horrendous kitchen for months.

It really isn't the end of the world to live in an outdated kitchen for a bit, provided the oven and fridge/freezer work. With a big conversion job you should get more than one quote and really think it through. Once you've moved in and are actually living in this space, other issues may come to light, or other architectural possibilities present themselves. It doesn't have to be a perfect showhome the day after you move in.

Rain_Shadow

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

It really isn't the end of the world to live in an outdated kitchen for a bit, provided the oven and fridge/freezer work. With a big conversion job you should get more than one quote and really think it through. Once you've moved in and are actually living in this space, other issues may come to light, or other architectural possibilities present themselves. It doesn't have to be a perfect showhome the day after you move in.

^^^This in spades^^^. I lived with a horrible kitchen for nine and a half years but I'm very glad I didn't rush into replacing it because I wouldn't have ended up with anything like the excellent result I have now. As long as it is clean and the appliances work that is all you need in the short term (or even quite long term in my case:rotfl:)

jlaw4

Rain_Shadow wrote: »

^^^This in spades^^^. I lived with a horrible kitchen for nine and a half years but I'm very glad I didn't rush into replacing it because I wouldn't have ended up with anything like the excellent result I have now. As long as it is clean and the appliances work that is all you need in the short term (or even quite long term in my case:rotfl:)

Just to ask, I'm buying a house that needs a lot of finishing off and possibly a brand new conservatory, did you save up to do the work? thats what we are doing and was wondering if its easy to keep positive in these circumstances?

paulr70

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

It really isn't the end of the world to live in an outdated kitchen for a bit, provided the oven and fridge/freezer work. With a big conversion job you should get more than one quote and really think it through. Once you've moved in and are actually living in this space, other issues may come to light, or other architectural possibilities present themselves. It doesn't have to be a perfect showhome the day after you move in.

Yes true, even the builder said to live in it for a few months and then you get an idea of what you want. So think you`re probably right. We`ve been able to get a bit more of a mortgage than we thought so am considering a modern lean to conservatory and that would open up the kitchen and lounge area considerably.

One thing was there is only one bathroom and there are 5 of us in the household. So was going to put in a downstairs bathroom under the stairs and open out into the garage. Really it would need the kitchen work doing at the same time. That was another reason for getting it done asap. I guess we can survive with one bathroom, I did for 20 years at my parents.

AlexMac

paulr70 wrote: »

Yes true, even the builder said to live in it for a few months and then you get an idea of what you want. So think you`re probably right. ... am considering a modern lean to conservatory (to) open up the kitchen and lounge area considerably. ... only one bathroom ...

Sounds as though your builder is sound, so subject to quote, I'd be sticking with him, and his advice.

We're really gald we lived with our house before deciding on improvements after we moved in 5 years ago. We re-thought our plans on the basis of that experience (e,g we abandoned the big bi-fold or sliding doors to the yard, which we'd taken as given, and did a really cheap kitchen makeover (new doors; lived with the worktop and stand-alone cooker) before later comitting to a project on the same scale as yours ...

Speaking of which, we have recently finished a fuller kitchen makeover, and a garage conversion into a big room with new suspended floors and an ensuite; so a project comparable to yours. Building regs were easy and responsive but added a £k or two as their main concerns were more robust foundations and lots more insulation. The job was forecast as 4-5 weeks work with a few months lead time, but took a bit longer as we weren't in a hurry, the garage was not urgent and the builder us asked if he could slow down to prioritise another more angxsty client!

So I'd agree- live with it a bit; Maybe the kids (or you) could join a gym and shower there!

paulr70

AlexMac wrote: »

The job was forecast as 4-5 weeks work with a few months lead time, but took a bit longer as we weren't in a hurry, the garage was not urgent and the builder us asked if he could slow down to prioritise another more angxsty client!
So I'd agree- live with it a bit; Maybe the kids (or you) could join a gym and shower there!

That seems quite a quick job considering. Out of interest what was involved?
Thanks

G_M

Do you need Planning Permission? Probably not, but check.

Building Regs is done during & after the works.

Get 3 quotes.

Marvel1

Rain_Shadow wrote: »

^^^This in spades^^^. I lived with a horrible kitchen for nine and a half years but I'm very glad I didn't rush into replacing it because I wouldn't have ended up with anything like the excellent result I have now. As long as it is clean and the appliances work that is all you need in the short term (or even quite long term in my case:rotfl:)

Same here, lived with it for 8 ears, had it done and still think it's just a kitchen, what a waste of £ :huh:

phill99

I run a property maintenance company specialising in this type of work. On two occasions I have asked to quote for work where people haven't completed on a property, both wanting me to commit to dates. The answer is always a big fat NO. There are too many reasons why the house may not complete on time, let alone complete at all. If I committed to an unknown date I would be turning other work down, which no builder can afford to do.