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Restoration & Refurbishment

One builder or several individuals for work on house to bring it up to scratch?

Anonymous user 01/03/2024 - 2.51 PM

We have had an offer accepted on a house that does require some work to bring it up to scratch. It is possible to move into but there are things that would make it more habitable. Its a 1940s three bed semi. I think it needs a full rewire and more sockets as there is only one double socket in each room. The boiler looks fairly old and there is a water tank that could be replaced with a new combi boiler. All carpets have been removed. The kitchen and bathroom also need updating. I have prioritised the wiring and feel the rest could be done as and when. We want the upstairs carpeted and are happy to leave downstairs stripped and have it sanded etc. We also want a gas fire removed and replaced with a wood burning stove. If we delay moving in would it be best to organise an electrician and a plumber along with other tradesmen to work independently or best to get a builder to oversee the whole thing and supply his own electrician and plumber stove engineer etc. At this stage we cannot afford to have a new kitchen and bathroom suite. What is generally the best job to do first while empty?

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2 Answers

Anonymous user

Getting a builder/building company to take on the work,and organise it is always the best option if the property owners have no experience in managing projects. Multiple traders can work along side each other (depending on the trade) and do just as a great job as they would on their own. (decorators are a exception to this rule) and what sometimes, seems like a organised chaos is in fact a project in progress. getting builders to work independently requires a very organised time frame as builders can be called several times to a property in order to get a small section of the work done and people sometimes have to postpone bookings for whatever reason and those little things can delay a work immensely.

Answered6 December 2014

Anonymous user

Hello, You are better off getting a building firm in to carry out the works and if possible do not move in until the works are completed as if living in the house the works will take longer. You can try and get the different trades in yourself as long as you are happy to run the job, but you must take into account the time you will need to spend Project managing the works, ordering materials etc etc Kind regards David Gomm J & D Construction

Answered16 December 2014