Help!!

candygirl

Basically I need a few jobs doing eg kitchen fitting, central heating fitted, new wooden floors downstairs, carpet upstairs, n a walk in shower installed.
I'm wondering if it would be possible, to get a project manager type person, to coordinate these jobs for me, as i'm going away for a month whilst it's being done.
Please only reply if you can genuinely help me, as I realise this isn't going to be easy to achieve in the time frame .
TIA

naf123

Don't post like that on the internet . Anyone can take advantage of you .

You need to find a recommended builder who will project manage the whole thing for you. Ideally you need to be there to supervise. Even if you are away, are you able to op over once a week?

candygirl

naf123 wrote: »

Don't post like that on the internet . Anyone can take advantage of you .

You need to find a recommended builder who will project manage the whole thing for you. Ideally you need to be there to supervise. Even if you are away, are you able to op over once a week?

No i'm going abroad , but the recommended builder sounds the right way to go .I presumed they would supervise the jobs being done , otherwise I might as well stay at home

southcoastrgi

What area of the country are you in & what kinda budget do you have ?

-taff

ask people you know for recommendations for builders, get three quotes for all the work, listing exactly what you want done, and get a contract.
This is not going to be be done well if you think you're going to find a builder who's free in a week for example.
All good builders are always busy.

candygirl

-taff wrote: »

ask people you know for recommendations for builders, get three quotes for all the work, listing exactly what you want done, and get a contract.
This is not going to be be done well if you think you're going to find a builder who's free in a week for example.
All good builders are always busy.

It's for Nov - Dec, thanks:D

Fire_Fox

candygirl wrote: »

No i'm going abroad , but the recommended builder sounds the right way to go .I presumed they would supervise the jobs being done , otherwise I might as well stay at home

Problems crop up as fixtures/ fittings are removed or installed. You never know for certain what will be revealed when tiles are removed/ flooring is lifted/ holes or channels are made in walls.

You need to be available to see and discuss any unforeseen issues and possible solutions, even if it is a couple of times a week not every day. Cannot see how you could do this effectively from another country.

Ideally do not have all of the decorative floor coverings fitted until you have lived with the kitchen/ bathroom/ heating for a little while. Otherwise you may end up lifting the flooring again to fix a problem.

need_an_answer

you are presumably looking for a property maintenance company who can co ordinate and do the work within a month on the lead up to Christmas?

But if that is a rigid time frame I would start to make enquiries now.


google property maintenance in your area and get a few quotes.

I would suggest at least 3.

Its not the cheapest way of overseeing refurbishments getting one company.It can be 20% more in cost than getting an individual kitchen fitter,heating engineer etc in to do the work.


You would need to be very confident with who you choose,they will end up making decisions on your behalf if you are out of the country


that's not just a little bit of work,it can be quite disruptive especially pipewoprk for new central heating.I expect most companies would prefer to work in an empty property not just one you are leaving whilst going on holiday.

lessonlearned

candygirl wrote: »

Basically I need a few jobs doing eg kitchen fitting, central heating fitted, new wooden floors downstairs, carpet upstairs, n a walk in shower installed.
I'm wondering if it would be possible, to get a project manager type person, to coordinate these jobs for me, as i'm going away for a month whilst it's being done.
Please only reply if you can genuinely help me, as I realise this isn't going to be easy to achieve in the time frame .
TIA

TBH. Candy that is a lot of work to do in a month. I don't wish to come all over negative but I'm not even sure if it's achievable in the time frame. As well as the obvious there are likely to be additional electrics, plastering (which has to dry) and that's not counting any hiccups or unforeseen problems,

Plus you are going to be working with an unknown builder. Like others have said ideally you do need to be around to monitor progress, answer queries and just generally check that everything is done to your exact specification.

I know I went away whilst my bathroom was being done but I have worked with my plumber on a variety of projects for over 20 years. He subcontracts out to electricians, Plasterers and tilers. He coordinates the lot and overseas the project in effect being both plumber and project manager.

Even then I was only in Europe and was at the end of a phone.

Can I make a suggestion........

Go on holiday as planned and have a jolly good time. Then get the work done when you come back.....after Christmas. Could you stay with your mum during the worst of the upheaval. Then at least you would be in the U.K. at the end of a phone and, if your mum lives within a reasonable distance you can make regular site visits.

Even if space at your mums is cramped and you have to resort to an air bed it would be better than risking such a large and expensive project on an unknown builder and not being around to assist/advise/make executive decisions.

I'm sorry it's probably not what you want to hear but I just think what you are proposing carries a huge risk. There's just too much margin for error.

Those are pretty extensive renovations and you just don't know what you might encounter once you start stripping things out.

I have decided that when I come to have my next major works done, I will probably move in with one of my sons for the duration. If that's not possible I will more or less empty the house, put everything in store and just set up one room as "base camp" but I will have a bathroom and functioning kitchen.

I did that once before, it wasn't the best experience of my life because I had the work done in the depths of winter. But it was all I could afford at the time. It was my first project and I couldn't afford a hotel or to rent somewhere.

If I do go that route again I will ensure the work is done over the summer.

candygirl

Thanks for all Your advice everyone.I've been recommended someone, who has done work on a local listed building, n has also worked well for 2 of Mum's friends.
He is coming round to discuss the job this week

lessonlearned

It's good that the builder is coming to you through personal recommendation. I misunderstood, I thought you were just going in "blind" as it were.

It's still a good idea to meet a couple more though. Not just for pricing but also to gather information and pick their brains for ideas and designs etc.