House renovation

[YehUrStllADickhead]

Some advice and guidance needed please.
Moved in year and half ago... House was in ok condition but have realised that it does need quite a bit of work doing to it. I sort of know what needs doing but don't really know how to go about sorting things out. OH has put an ad on gumtree but I just feel like gum tree might be full of cowboy builders. I've also asked him to but an ad on check a trader site.

I have a 2 up 2 down semi detached property in the outskirts of Birmingham.
The things that need doing are,
Damp proof course
Wallpaper removed
Walls replastered
Doors changed
Skirting
Architrave
Painting

Does anyone have any advice on costing, time, wether it's a good idea to stay living in property while work is being done. I'm just very cautious as I have a budget in mind and really cannot afford to have anyone come and do a botched job.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

Sounds like the kind of work you could live around, if you can camp from one room while it’s done, maybe not possible if you have kids. I would definitely try to find a recommended builder, if friends in area have done work or ask neighbors?

Do you really need a damp proof course? There is lots of advice on line now that dpcs are not much good. If you have damp you need to work out what is causing it and fix the problem - not cover it up. It could be gutters and downpipes leaking or outside ground levels being too high for example. The rest just seems like decorating.

I wouldn't post an 'ad' anywhere as you'll just attract the worst kind of builder (those that haven't got any work for good reason). If you don't know anyone who can give you a recommendation then you could try MyBuilder www.mybuilder.com.

I've used MyBuilder quite a lot. It's not always failsafe (I've been disappointed with some jobs) but through them I found a fantastic kitchen fitter and an outstanding tiler (who I've had back to do further work for me).

It's good because you can see each builder's profile and reviews of previous work. I also understand they have to apply to be on there (so they are screened first).

Good luck. First time getting work done is quite daunting but be careful because you can come addicted to it

I'd also second what bilbodog said here - check what is creating the damp in the first place before you opt for an expensive (and probably not needed) damp-proof course.

When the house was assessed before we moved in the report stated that it needed a damp proof course, it was done by Rentokil. I'm sure I have the paperwork somewhere detailing the problem, have to read through all the pages again. The damp is creating patches on the walls and destroying skirting

Thank you some sound advice

I bought a house that had a fully warrantied DPC done only 3 years previously but the walls were still full of damp... tide marks, random patches, blown plaster, rotting skirtings.
The DPC was obviously a completely ineffective waste of time and money.

You could live there but it will be dusty and tough.

Are you having a rewrire at the same time? If house needs fully re-plastering it prob needs a re wire?

If you do end up staying I would move everything out into storage and actually set up a pop up tent to sleep in and just keep a smallish suitcase of clothes with you. The tent will provide a bit of protection for your stuff. You’ll have to move from room to room depending where the builders are working in.

Plastering is filthy, dusty and damp.

Your house will be completely transformed though

Another one for not getting a damp proof course. You need to work out where the damp is coming from and sort that out. Is it internal walls or external ones? It is often just a leaking gutter or something relatively simple to fix like that.

"When the house was assessed before we moved in the report stated that it needed a damp proof course, it was done by Rentokil. I'm sure I have the paperwork somewhere detailing the problem, have to read through all the pages again. The damp is creating patches on the walls and destroying skirting"
Rentokil install DPCs - therefore not the most impartial advice.
I agree with the previous posters - identify the actual cause of the dampness and remove it rather than injecting a potentially harmful dpc.