Complete house update - DIY cut off point

NSEWUK

We will shortly be moving into a 1980s property that is hideous original throughout. It has had one owner from new and has items such as stair lift, grey bathroom suite and single glazing... But location and size is spot on, so we love it!

We want to go into it as 'eyes wide open' as possible, and have a builder coming round later this month to help cost things up. Basically the job list is massive, plaster aertex ceilings, convert conservatory to an extension, knock some walls through, new bathrooms/kitchen, windows, flooring etc. etc. 

So, to my question, we want to keep costs down as much as possible. We've 'average' DIY capabilities, and will already be doing all painting and gutting kitchen cabinets etc., but I wondered if anyone could give a general view on tasks where the DIY would end and a tradesman would be needed (obviously gas, electrics etc. would need qualified people in).

Thank you

Davesnave

What you propose sounds easy enough, but it's quite difficult to do. We did it, acting as labourers for our tradesperson, who also had to act as our project manager, sequencing the work and deciding on materials needed in advance. He also had to liaise with us to make sure we had chosen and ordered things like kitchen and bathroom units in good time so there would be few hold-ups.

We were also fortunate that our guy could drop us and do other work if a break in the work sequence occurred, and that he had a range of skills for things like temporary plumbing and electrical fixes needed along the way.

It worked for us and we saved many thousands of £, but our guy was a personal friend of many years standing. Even so there were times when relationships became quite strained, and because few people have the full range of skills, a few mistakes were made.

I'd say the most workable arrangement would be for you to do the demolition and the redecoration and let the builder organise the rest, including sourcing trades as required. You will have quite a lot to do making choices of fittings and finishes as it is.

EssexExile

It really is impossible to generalise. Some people can put their hand to just about anything, others can't do just about everything. Over the years I've had a go at most things but sometimes it's easier and quicker to get someone in.

Soot2006

As above, it depends on motivation as much as skill. There were things in our first house that I was absolutely deifnitely 100% going to do myself because it was an easy job and I couldn't live with it. Some of those things were still in err "original" condition 10 years later when we sold the house! Other jobs I took on more skeptically yet they worked out really well. However after spending all my money on the right drill and bit and the curtain pole STILL wobbled due to my inability to properly drill into the lintel I paid a handyman for a couple hours of his time to go round the house and fix up all the annoying little things like that. I then became a little bit addicted to the handyman and he frequently joined us to support a superior  DIY finish ...

TELLIT01

As an 'average DIYer' I would limit myself to painting and decorating, removing the stairlift and installing a new kitchen if that is to be done.  I would not touch any structural work.  Upgrading the conservatory may be straightforward i.e. just replace the roof, or may require a complete rebuild.  That depends on the quality of the existing structure.

As Davesnave suggests, working as labourer to trades may help keep the cost down, but only if you are more help than hindrance.

AskAsk

do whatever you can, then pay for the rest.  it is that simple.

Davesnave

TELLIT01 said:

As Davesnave suggests, working as labourer to trades may help keep the cost down, but only if you are more help than hindrance.

Yes. In a nutshell, it depends not only on your physical strength, but also on your understanding of the builder's requirements in progressing the job. Relationships are key. People who change their minds or haven't thought through the practicalities of what they want drive builders mad.

stuart45

Nowadays I only do jobs on an hourly rate, so people can help as much or little as they like. 
However when I was younger and doing work on a price I didn't want someone asking if they could do the labouring for a reduced price, unless maybe it was a small job for a  Hoddie working in the trade and I knew he knew was he was doing.