Lalalonglegs and those with experience developing properties - help!

[HarrietTheSpy]

This quote we've received from a decorator (comes highly recommended, mind) is mind blowing.

Okay, he's doing the following:

1. stripping three bedrooms of lining paper (must do it, kids have been amateur Banksy's and destroyed it), skimming walls, paint (and in two cases wallpaper) - £3,400
   
   
2. paint and do woodwork in hallway (up three flights) - £2,000
   
   Note the woodwork in all cases is the sort where people have been painting over it for YEARS, is shiny and looks crap. It will be hard work.
   
   
3. labour for the bathroom - take out current suite, put new stuff in, tile and paint
   
   
4. exterior work including repairing windows, painting and other repairs. It's a double fronted Victorian, so that's the sort of scale of the work. Front and a couple windows on back - £2,500
   
   All told it was going to come to £10.4K. He's come back with a discount of £400. Not much of a discount really.
   
   The trouble is, his work is good, and I've just had a baby, plus we have a toddler, plus I've never picked up a brush before. DH could not do all the work alone and finish in the current year. We'd have to pay for childcare and then have a crack at it, but it could look crap. This is our delimma.
   
   What I need to know from you is whether this quote is really out in left field, or conceivable.
   
   Cheers ladies

[NorthernLurker]

Where in the country are you? That will make a difference. Personally I would pass out then go into business for myself as a decorator!

[HarrietTheSpy]

London - of course. That was kind of my reaction. If we were child free or DCs were in school, I would absolutely be considering doing it myself.

[NorthernLurker]

Well I think it's too much - especially the bit for the wall stripping. Exterior does always cost an arm and two legs of course.

[HarrietTheSpy]

We are thinking of only doing the exterior in fact. Much much cheaper than replacing all the windows! Will buy us time.

[noddyholder]

It does depend on room sizes general condition ceiling heights number of windows etc.I think if it is a top job that sounds fair.I am in the south east and have developed about 10 houses and good builders worth £££££££33and a top decorator has upped the value of my house several times.What timescale will he do it in and how many on his team also factors plus materials inc or not?

[gelathehack]

It does sound a bit high to me but as, noddy says, it does depend how big the rooms are and how bad. Whereabouts in London are you - I had a very good decorator who was based in Kingston and another (not so good but pretty competent) one based in Eltham. The one in Eltham has a brother who is a plasterer...

The other alternative is to leave it until the children are a bit older and can be left with and do the prep at least yourself. Crappy old decoration is depressing but you can live with it.

PS: I have garden photos but scanner has broken. Will try to get to internet shop this afternoon.

[HarrietTheSpy]

The house is in too depressing condition to leave it - that's exactly the right expression. Like paper coming off the bathroom wall, they've spilled things on the carpets and not cleaned up, etc. The Banksy graffiti is also really unnerving. Also, anyone coming to look after the kids at home might be a bit shocked.

We are in East London/Essex, unfortunately right the way round from Kingston.

Re photos - cheers

[goldenpeach]

Can't you strip the walls yourself? I did take off some nasty woodchip paper off my walls in my old house by hiring a steamer from local Hire Shop, but did also do other wallpaper in other rooms using sponge, sugar soap and elbow grease. I recommend the steamer highly, very quick. I left the plastering to professional but then painted myself.
I started painting from the least important room and proceeded forward to best room, so my learning curve didn't spoil the best rooms. I learnt pretty quickly.
Woodwork in hallway, get yourself some paint stripper and sandpaper but keep kids away.
Bathroom and exterior I would leave to professional.
Why don't you get another quote? Beware if the other quote is too cheap, I used to see three workmen and go for the middle one if reasonable.