Restoration & Refurbishment

Sturdy little cottage in Hungary, local builders rubbing hands and enlarging every job.

Anonymous user 01/03/2024 - 2.54 PM

I'm a lone parent and can come across a bit clueless. But I've been on projects that were large refurbishments and although not doing work myself learnt allot. And I'm quite practical. I bought a tiny cottage 8x5m - 40msq) in Hungary. I've got a bit of money and decided the best thing to do was invest it in was property and rent it out. Then buy more when I've done the learning curve. So I'm a bit wary stepping into having to rely on others to translate. But I had a meeting this week, that made me think whoever the agent has found is rubbing their hands with glee a little. But I also aknowledge I'm not a builder and they may be thinking in terms of make it last - rather than listen to what I'm asking for. Roof - There 10 ish tiles starting to slide, with 3 curved ridge tiles sliding off. The builders reply - replace whole roof £3500. Ha! Not what I asked for. I asked for a price to just re-fix sliding tiles. I looked inside again, the timbers old but really solid. Tiles are a fantastic but a discontinued design (but really easy to replicate). With such an easy replacement from inside. The facia ends are burnt larch (fired to harden). 1 plank needs replacing - no rot. That really should have been an indication. Me fix . Them top cost. In the meeting the builder totally dominated, started talking over when I was telling the translator what to tell him. By half way the translator was shaking her head and telling me 'really big job'. Now I didn't go and buy a derelict. This is in great condition, traditional 35cm thick solid walls. Smack the interior walls, no plaster flakes off, really solid, every inch. Exterior has maybe 3 small patches (10x3cm) that need a bit of render over. It even looks painted about 3 years ago. Roof joists no rot. The renovation part of it is making a bathroom and bringing the water and drainage into the property. What he's said for the walls is to put a 'metal mesh'? It was hard to make the translation out, with a 1-2cm replaster over. (Like new walls?) I'm inclined just to fill cracks and do a skim? Same or floor. I was going to fill one crack and then put self levelling concrete over. He wants mesh? The only thing I agreed with him on was a new wiring throughout, due to extra demand. (Again 'very very expensive'). So I'm waiting for prices now. I've asked for separate quotes for each of theses jobs. 1. Fix roof tiles 2. Car ramp (1.5 ft planks spanning 8ft width) 3. Replace 7 fense planks and paint whole fence (he said its old - 'all need to be new') sigh, I don't think he got the point. 4. New elecrics 5. New bathroom - drainage and water on site but not in building (a different man is quoting for this) 6. Finish/plaster walls 7. Install wood stove The rest, patching exterior, interior decoration and kitchen I will do. I've got loft insulation and I think I'll be fixing the tiles myself as well (or at least it be last job done) Any thoughts please?