Bungalow refurb

[MarcoM]

Hello we have offered on a bungalow which needs a massive refurb job: new electrics, brand new wet heating system (to replsce gas air vent system), new bathroom and new kitchen plus new decor.
I have a couple of questions:
a) is it better to get a specific trade to do each job separately or should i get a bigger builder
who would then subcontract the abive?

b) if i were to employ a separate trade for each job what would be first? plumbing and heating or electrics?
I assume the heating engineer would have to decide where the new boiler would go so that electrician can provide a suitable connection. so maybe get plumber heating engineer to design system then get electrics done then install heating plumbing and thdn finish with kitchen and bathrokm install?

The bungalow would not be occupief whilst work takes place.

thanks

 

[Bonni]

You are best off seeking quotes off builders to do the complete works so you have one point of contact, otherwise you will have to try and coordinate the different trades.

But don't go with the cheapest quote, go for a larger building firm. Many small ones can all do often do parts of the plumbing and electrics that are not up to scratch. Also, be on site and don't be afraid to tell the builder which parts need to be done better.

 

[Notch7]

finish with kitchen and bathrokm install?

I would suggest getting the kitchen and bathroom design done first.

If there is lots of building work then have a builder.

If its just plumbing and electrics, maybe arrange yourself.

Personally for a builder, I would choose a small local building company. A guy that runs the job and is on the tools, maybe with a couple of guys working for him.

There is a trade off: separate trades arranged yourself is potentially cheaper. However if you choose a builder, he will have his favorite subbies that he uses all the time, good ones he trusts and because he uses them a lot, he can get them when he needs them.

If you arrange everything separately, you will struggle to get the guys in when you need them and when you do get them in, you may not know what order to do things and you will probably have tradesmen that dont know each other.

If you arent knowledgeable about construction and dont have contacts and its a major refurb, I would get a builder to do it. You can arrange kitchen, flooring, decorating etc. Get the builder to do all the carpentry, building works, main plumbing and electrics. An experienced builder can do bathrooms too, probably cheaper than a bathroom specialist.

 

[Nige F]

Sensible advice from a Sussex builder ( same county as me )

 

[MarcoM]

thanks to all.

i meant to ask what do you make of the fmb federation of master builders.
does it give 1% extra confidence that a firm will not be shoddy?
i don' t have a recommendation hence the question.

 

[Notch7]

thanks to all.

i meant to ask what do you make of the fmb federation of master builders.
does it give 1% extra confidence that a firm will not be shoddy?
i don' t have a recommendation hence the question.

The fmb is subcription based so a builder pays his fee and gets a logo. The fmb will do some background checks, but the reality is that they want paying customers and is therefore not in their interest to turn down too many applications.

Checkatrade etc similar business model. The tradesman pays a fee.

If you dont know any builders, have a drive around locally, if you see an extension being built, go and ask, have a chat with the builder. A good buikder will be happy to let you contact a previous client.

If you have a small local builders merchants, you could ask there for some names.

Unfortunately really good builders usually have waiting lists, often a year or more.

Do not find a builder based on checkatrade reviews, Im not saying dont search on there but probably the best builders in your area get all their work by recommendation.

I deal with a fair number of builders bdcause I supply them joinery, I dont think I know any that advertise at all.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Sensible advice from a Sussex builder ( same county as me )

Nige, you could always park your caravan onsite.



Andy