Renovation - what comes first

[Renov]

Hello, we are buying a 1960s house which needs modernising. We also plan to have an extension but this will need to wait till later next year. As soon as we have a completion date we'll get quotes for the initial work needed before we move in.

Initially the house will need:

1. Rewiring
2. Boiler replacement & new radiators
3. Replastering and painting everywhere except bathrooms (will get new bathrooms at a future date) and kitchen (will change when we extend)
4. New carpets and floorboards throughout

Is this is the right order? We have about a month where we can live elsewhere before moving in and hopefully the bulk of above can be done in this time. Is a month a realistic timescale?

Are there any things we need to think about? Any other crucial work that should be carried out initially before we move in? Any ideas about costs? We are in South East.

Thanks all.

Ideally you want to get walls plastered with Rads off so get those two working together.

All new floorboards? What means you need all new floorboards?

Also, getting trades is a nightmare at the mo. We’re also SE and completed in Aug and we haven’t actually been able to get anything done yet!

@Flagshitstore thanks we thought this. I mean we will either need new carpets or carpets replaced with new flooring. What a pain about long waits. What are you currently waiting for?

When you have new services put in make sure the plumber/electrician knows you are having extension and makes the system ready for it.

A month is realistic provided you can book trades in advance. New boiler and radiators 2 days. Plastering about 7 days depending on whether you want ceilings done too and number of bedrooms. Painting will take longer to dry if no heating on. Possibly 8-9 days for 2-3 coats and ceilings too. You should wait a week between plastering and painting. Electrics 4-5 days depending on number of bedrooms and if you want additional sockets in kitchen, lounge and bedrooms added. Good time to get these when electrics being done anyway. Definately get electrics done first then gas and radiators. If either electrics or gas can't start on time they will hold other trades up and you won't finish on time. If you can't get electrics done first just go for boiler and gas.

@Renov We are waiting on central heating -this is the worst wait tbh, they’re all booked up at this time of year, a couple of new windows (pencilled in for end of month), bathrooms (booked in for March!) and flooring (booked in for end of month). Then we have a structural engineer drawing up extension plans, that’s been done but getting people out to quote is a whole different ballgame!

We’re using tradespeople that we know or have been recommended which accounts for some of the wait but we’ve had bad experiences before just using randoms.

Good luck!

This stuff is amazing for new plaster www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-trade-bare-plaster-paint-brilliant-white-10ltr/51004#product_additional_details_container

I'd agree with the order generally, though I might get the floorboards done after the plumbing ( which may well wreck some floorboards) but before the plastering. Unless you ant to leave the boards expoed, in which case I'd do them last, as plaster would knacker them for polishing/oiling/varnishing.

No way on earth will you get that lot done in a month, though.

You want to get the plumbing and electrical done first as they will destroy the plastering and floors. They might also need to damage the kitchen to get to the wiring in there. If you are happy to pay over the odds then you can get it done quickly. Otherwise you will be waiting 3-6 months to get tradespeople from when you accept a quote. If you are project managing you will need to work out where you want sockets and radiators and get all the trades to be there in the right order. Even if you pay lots, it will be very hard to get it all done in a month.

Unless there is something really wrong then you probably don't actually need new plumbing or electrical so you may be able to just add some new sockets and radiators and check the switchboard is up to date.

@Geneticsbunny If it is a 60's house with original wiring it will need to be done by now.

Just concentrate on the re wire and the central heating before you move in . They will need to turn the house upside down and it’s ideal if it’s empty. The rest can be done a room at a time when you move in.

If you can get trades lined up it might be possible. You may struggle to get quotes done before completing depending on how willing vendor is to allow access.

We are in the middle of doing similar - bought from elderly widower who was changeable and disorganised so we didn't dare try to get quotes done in advance. We booked the builder with the best availability to come the day after completion. All the other builders were booked up at least 9 months in advance but we found a bigger company that could slot us in. So far, our timeline has been - June completion and initial quote visit. August quote back and detailed quote visit. September refine details. October start work. Projected to finish early next year, so about seven-eight months after we bought house.

We're not extending but we're replacing heating system and boiler, moving a couple of walls, replacing a staircase, new windows, new bathroom, WC and kitchen, new flooring throughout.

I had similar done and got a local building company to do it. It cost a premium but was worth every penny. He organised and coordinated all the trades.

Thanks all. The house is currently vacant so as soon as we have a completion date we'll hopefully be arranging those quotes.

If you're rewiring is now a good time to get a car charging socket put in as well for your next vehicle? Or are you on fuel for a good few years yet?

Also, for future proofing, I'm not sure I'd go for a gas boiler/radiators right now if you can afford something more modern and efficient like a heat pump.

How long has the house been empty? If more than 2 yrs, there is a scheme where you will only pay 5% VAT to get it back to a livable state. (0% vat is empty 10yrs or more!)

Where are you planning on living whilst the renovations go ahead? We are doing similar but with a 1930's house that needed even more work. We have been living in a static van in the garden- and its the best thing we did!!! Away from the dust, noise, mess- can still cook, shower, work and sleep with little disruption.