Home improvements to 60s house - asbestos, flat roof, etc - any advice appreciated!

[SleepBecomesHim321]

We have a 1960s house (SE London) and are considering whether it's worth extending our mortgage to do some works. We'll obviously get quotes and an asbestos survey but, in the interim, I was wondering if anyone here could offer advice.

New boiler/heating system: we're considering this. This would involve getting rid of the existing hot water tank (in airing cupboard) and possibly converting airing cupboard (plus built-in wardrobes it backs onto) into a bathroom. This would mean the existing bathroom could become another bedroom. We think the hot water tank is asbestos (it's coated in a blue layer of something) so assume we'd need to hire a specialist to remove it. Has anyone had this done? Was it very expensive? Did it mean you were without hot water for ages?

New skylight/new flat roof: house has a flat roof which we're told could do with replacing. We're considering adding a skylight too as it's dark upstairs on landing. Has anyone had this done? Any ballpark costs for a) new flat roof, and/or b) addition of cheap skylight? We have an artex ceiling on landing (presumably asbestos again) which may also affect things...

Many thanks in advance for any comments on the above.

[Pradaqueen]

No experience of asbestos other than I think the general advice is/was if it's In plaster, it's best not to disturb it and cover over with plaster. Your surveyor will be able to help you with a reputable firm.

However I can pm you a really good roofer based in Essex. They have fitted a skylight for me into a flat roof. I'm sure they travel round to the SE. I used CCS for my skylight based in the midlands. Very reasonably priced and fast delivery. The roofer fitted the light. To give you an idea of cost, in another property I renovated a flat roof on top of a building I owned which covered two large flats and was circa £6k. Just bear in mind a new flat roof is lovely and water tight. If you add a skylight or sun pipe you are creating more chances for water ingress.

Re: water tank a combi boiled will achieve what you are after but if it fails you'll have no hot water. I'd always keep a water tank with an immersion heating system as a back up in a house where space is not as much of a premium as a flat. Especially if you have children.

Hope that helps and best of luck!

[Pradaqueen]

Ps a 1m X 2m skylight was sub £1k

[venys]

We had some of this work done - £1400 to disconnect old tank system , Worcester Bosch combi boiler install (new location) replace two radiators. Work was done when we were out of the house and other work being done, but I think it was only a couple of days without water. We got Sandy from Key Asbestos in Hampton to do survey. Removed asbestos in floor and ceiling of bathrooms - think cost around £1200? Need to check this. Flat roof we just put on old loft from 70s/80s. Just put another layer of felt on top coat c £1200 (no scaffolding though!). Good luck!

[SleepBecomesHim321]

Thanks for your comments - very helpful! Feeling very overfaced by whole prospect: asbestos survey/removal, which contractor to involve when, plus need to get gas and electric people round to advise about moving meters. I'm worried we'll rack up £000s before we actually start the building works we want done!

[Pradaqueen]

Don't be overwhelmed. Get the meters moved first. They take aaaaaages to agree and roughly £600 per meter. You need to involve the national grid. You'll need the PAN number of each.

[Pradaqueen]

Sorry MPAN number.