The order of things when you first move in

paulj2021

Hello, finally moving next week to my next house, 3 bedroom two floor semi,  it’s in good general order but needs some building work (new boiler and some radiators, some electrical fittings renewed or moved, a couple of windows and doors replaced ) and decorating etc, I also want to slightly reconfigure its internal layout by knocking two rooms together. In addition I  have to live in it at the same time, but there’s enough space for one or two rooms to be worked on at a time while I live in others. I’m just wondering, what order should I get tradespeople  in? For example I don’t want to get new carpets in and then have to access underneath. Can anyone offer any insight, or is there any online guide which can assist with the work planning?

YBR

It's generally a process of thinking through the potential needs and consequences of each job
e.g. pipes may need to go underfloor, so do plumbing prior to flooring; electrical wires may be put in then plastered over do decorate after electrics, but before flooring to avoid pain dripping on carpets.

canaldumidi

Make a list of all the jobs and then consider the impactof each. Obviously major construction comes first (wall demolition) and underfloor stuff (electrics, plumbing, wood preservation). painting, decorating and carpeting is at the end, though you could break some of down room by room.

pumas

And do you need any permissions e.g. removal of wall etc..

UnderOffer

You definitely need to do the messy and disruptive work first, from your list I’d start with: 

• Removal of wall to merge two rooms
• New boiler, radiators and associated pipe work
• Electrical works
• Window and door replacements 
• Decorating
• Flooring 

Sounds like quite a lot of disruption, but worth it to get your home how you’d like it. Good luck. 

getmore4less

 I  have to live in it at the same time, but there’s enough space for one or two rooms to be worked on at a time while I live in others.

Might help is you can make that the other way round,  live in one/two rooms while the the major work is done on the rest.

The wall coming out  what is that supporting?

unpack as little as possible and store outside the property if possible,  going to be dust and mess everywhere.

Mutton_Geoff

And personally I would do nothing for 6 months. Move in, get a feel for your home, your ideas for changes will alter. Get to know the neighbours, local tradesmen etc. Then push the button to do the work. And work from top down.

canaldumidi

pumas said:

And do you need any permissions e.g. removal of wall etc..

That will of course require Building Regulations certification by Building Control.