Which builder - a focus on the logistics or the aesthetics?

[middleeasternpromise]

Currently exploring options having saved up to do a lot of long overdue work. The house is old 100 yrs + and previous owner seems to have gotten a lot of work done partially and then did a lot himself. I think this as every time I try to get a repair done, the professional who comes in says 'who did this? its all back to front ...' Anyway - that's partly why I am in this position - decided to stop getting expensive repairs and save for a refurbishment.

Builders responding so far - are either - totally on board with the new kitchen/bathroom ideas but then go off and focus on work tops and cupboard doors, flooring etc. OR I get a focus on stripping out plumbing and electrics and prioritizing the structural and infrastructure aspects. Not sure which way to lean - do I go with the contractors who will work with what is and replace some bits or invest in the structural approach and if I run out of money save up for the aesthetics ?

They need to price the job on the same spec. A builder should do the structural and other stuff before the finishing touches, though obviously everything needs to be planned out first. What kitchen and worktop you use doesn't matter as long as the plumbing and electrical stuff is done - the builder should focus on the basics first.

Surely a good builder should do everything? It shouldn't be either/or? I'm not understanding the question here to be honest.

Like the PP, get them to quote on the same spec which includes both the necessary structural repairs plus the aesthetics you require.

I don't understand the question, TBH. It's nonsensical to ask whether you should get builder A to give you a new floor or cupboard doors, or builder B to knock down a wall or build you an extension. That's kind of what the question sounds like though.

It's like asking whether you should go to Tesco for a week's groceries or Joules for a new jumper. What do you want to buy?

If you have a particular piece of work in mind, get a few builders to price up the work, all to the same spec, so you can compare the prices.

If you don't quite know what you want to have done, then decide that first, then proceed as above.

I am confused by your post. Are you saying builder A is interested in what colour worktop you are having and B is interested in the actual process of building?

I’m leaning towards B, but a builder should have some care for the finish, not just the building logistics (otherwise you end up with things that are structurally sound but impractical). It is not really any of your builder’s business what colour kitchen you choose, excepting whether it is complicated to fit. But a good builder might have some ideas based on what his other clients have chosen.

My spec was a refurbishment of the property - one is saying completely renew plumbing and electrics and re plaster, the other is saying work with what you have with partial upgrades on plumbing and electrics - older houses come with flaws.

Well I'm of the opinion that you only want builders in once so you get the maximum done that is needed and you can afford.

I think you need to work out exactly what YOU want to do and then write a proper spec.
If you can't do this on your own you could get help from an architect or building surveyor (depends on what you are wanting to do and the state of the house)
I'm an architect and contrary to popular belief we aren't all about the aesthetics.
I spend a lot of time with clients actually working out what they want from a project and the potential of the building that they have.
I would guess from your post that it's going to have be a balancing act between aesthetics, necessary works and budget.
Refurbishment works mean different things to different people so you really need to spend some time whether that's on your own or with a professional to work out what you need this project to do.
Once you have it a bit more figured out then you can price the project.

Well, I'd ask all of them for their advice about the consequences of sticking with what you have versus total refurbishment, then work out what you're prepared to live with, then prepare an order of works/spec for them all to quote on.