I have the money for repairs but cannot face dealing with trades. AIBU to just live in the house as it is

[Eastie77Returns]

Just that really. Bought the house a few years ago. I had threads going at the time about my horrendous experience with Trades. In one particular case (main builder) the police ended up getting involved. We thankfully found decent builders to fix his awful work but even they made errors and ruined some of our new flooring with paint.

We did find some good trades: a Carpenter who did our in wardrobes and shelves, the joiner who put in our doors, the flooring team. They were amazing. But the guys we employed for the bigger stuff…it was awful.

Eventually we ran out of cash and just accepted we would live with the shoddy work we couldn’t fix. Now I’ve inherited some money and I’m in a position to get stuff fixed and add a loft conversion. However I’ve decided for the benefit of my mental health that I cannot do it. I cannot face dealing with Trades again. The lies, the dishonesty, the unprofessionalism. It’s too much. I feel it’s inevitable I’ll be ripped off and a loft conversion will involve so much time, money and disruption.

On the other hand, the house looks shabby. It is a bit embarrassing having guests round when so much needs doing.. The walls already need repainting, skirting boards are awful. The house needs a glow up. I am not handy and neither is DP so we cannot do it ourselves. And we really do need the extra room the conversion will bring. I don’t trust any trades.

The funny thing is I do actually like the house. It has grown on me. It’s old but I like the character. I just feel a bit depressed when I look at the grubby walls and all the bits that need doing.

I’m not even sure what my AIBU is. Should I just live in the house as it is for now and protect my well being?

Great to hear you’ve managed to get so much completed, well done!

I’ve committed to getting the loft converted but work on won’t start until next year. I’m reasonably comfortable with the company we’ve chosen. I visited a house where they’ve completed a conversion which looks great and they provided additional references. They do not advertise at all which for some reason makes them seem more trustworthy😂 The owner said all their work comes via recommendations/word of mouth.

Aside from that we need to sort the garden, shed/utility room and put some paving down. The walls still need repainting and skirting boards sorting but I’ve decided to put it all on hold and do it when the loft work is carried out. Might as well get it all done at once. I’m planning to take unpaid leave from work next year so thinking of mustering all my energy then to find trades to deal with those jobs. I cannot fathom juggling that whilst working FT and managing DC to be honest.

Stuff I've done myself with the help of YouTube: mainly through necessity as I couldn't afford to pay someone.

Laid a stone tiled floor
Plumbed in a complete bathroom
Replaced floor joists
Tiled a kitchen
General painting and decorating
Replaced skirting boards
Replaced light fittings and sockets
Constructed raised beds
Replaced thermostat in a built in oven
Hung a door included fitting the hinges lock plate and lock.
Loads of general maintenance stuff

The only thing I won't mess with is gas or electric beyond changing a switch plate or light fitting.

I don't use a particular person I just search for what I want to do and find a video that I like the presentation of ( some waffle too much)

The key things I have learnt over the years is have the right tools for the job,it makes a massive difference.Trying to mitre a corner with a crappy old hacksaw and no mitre block is a nightmare.
Prep prep and prep again, it makes a world of difference and is probably 80% of the actual job. Yes it's boring when you are itching to get it done but the results are so much better.

I reckon DIY is just arts and crafts on a slightly bigger scale. It's not mysterious or difficult,it can be learned

Yeah - when I divorced my husband 20+ years ago I didn't even possess a drill! Now own that, multi tool, jigsaw and umpteen other tools. Do agree that if you have the right tools it helps with alot of jobs. Do agree that plumbing and electrics you just have to pay out for. Thank goodness for YouTube demos!

I reckon DIY is just arts and crafts on a slightly bigger scale. It's not mysterious or difficult,it can be learned.

I never thought of it as that considering I have a craft room fit to burst and I've also built from kits and decorated a dolls house, beach hut and garden shed. I just need to think bigger than 1/12th scale.

UPDATE the carpenter is starting the wardrobes tomorrow!

Just a question but how do those of you who do all the plumbing and big construction jobs yourselves deal with the signing off of jobs when you sell the house? (I know there's a technical term for it, but I can't remember it offhand). I thought that you had to prove that all work had been carried out professionally and produce certificates to prove it - does that only cover some things?

Yes do nothing and leave the tradespeople for others - there’s just not enough good ones to go around!

Building Regulations?

We do our own DIY. My dh refuses to pay tradesmen prices. We paint and decorate, plaster. My dh has taught himself how to move radiators. He even bought one and fitted it himself. He's changed light fittings and recently put in a built in wardrobe that he made himself. It's hard as we both work and sometimes we're busy at weekends, but honestly over the years he has learned to do loads of stuff. I don't do much more than painting myself. The thing is you know the quality is good if you've done it. I don't trust many people and my friends and neighbours have had some awful tradesmen over the years.

I don't think that's it, although I could be wrong. But when I bought my house, my vendors had to provide all the information and guarantees for, the fitting of the logburner and new windows and the oven to prove that they'd been fitted professionally and not by someone who was likely to have skipped safety checks.

Log burner = a Hetas registered person
Windows = Certas / Fensa

This is where the fitter / engineer is registered with the regulatory body overseeing standards, and thus can self-certify, skipping the need for Building Control approval.

If a DIY-er did any relevant works, they can ask a Building Control company to inspect and issue a compliance certificate instead. This can be via the council Building Control dept, or a private Building Control company.

Thank you, this makes perfect sense and also explains how DIYers can fit stuff and still sell their house!

In case no one has recommended this: get women trades! There’re a few websites adverting them, like this one
even my husband won’t get men now - I find women trades in general have more attention to detail and spare you the drama