Help! Estimating cost of a renovation project?

[thegrandsophy]

I thought I was the least likely person to consider a renovation project given a willingness to embrace other people's taste and having no ideas of my own. However am now contemplating a renovation project in south west London. Who can I ask (and pay if necessary) to give me an idea of costs before seriously considering buying? Architect ? Builder? Surveyor? Any recommendations? Am I mad?

A qs is probably the best person but you need to be able to.give them an idea of your taste/budget. So research types of kitchens you would want, door handles, taps/bathroom fittings and lightfittings. That will give them a good idea of where to pitch it. Basically you can spend anything from 500 - 4000 per square metre on a house depending on your taste. Try sawyer and fisher for sensible advice. Think they are based south of london. Another way is to think in lump sums like 5k for a basic bathroom replacement and 10k for an ikea type kitchen with nice touches. (if you are spending less than those sorts of figures it is probably not worth asking a qs for advice tho). A loft seems to be 20-40 basic. You might be better posting about the size of the house in square metres and a list of what needs doing and people can give you the prices they have paid.

That is great. Am def thinking those sorts of sums or even a bit more. House appears fairly sound but is big (2600 sq ft) and needs complete refit. Can I pay them to come and see the house with me? Would they factor in project manager etc.?

They would include professional fees and other expenses in their costs if appropriate. Also contingency. For a small job an architect might charge 15% of the total cost of the building works. But an alternative is to save on a qs and get a sensible architect via recommendation (warning there are lots of different types and not all are great with money so ask about!!). I just suggested a qs because you asked about money but an architect could do that and make it gorgeous - if you get the right one! Pm me if you want a suggestion for someone!

Have pm'd you. Have to not get too excited by potential gorgeousness if house before can put suns on it!

If=of; suns=sums btw...