Any good books out there on house renovation?

[Pannacotta]

We can't afford to use an architect or surveyor so need to project manage ourselves.
The house is big and fairly run down and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed so thought a good book might be a starting point.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

Bumping for you.

Renovating for Profit by Michael Holmes is pretty comprehensive (forget the profit bit, it was written before credit crunch, still very helpful nuts and bolts stuff).

I spent a couple of hours wondering round our new house today. We have a builder but we can't afford for him to do all the work we planned for him to do when we bought the house.

I recommend a big gin and tonic.

Is it possible to "zone" your house in any way (ie. tackle essential rooms and leave others unused until later)? If not, then it's a question of doing essentials and finishing off in a piecemeal fashion (which makes you feel crap but at least doesn't lead to bankruptcy) eg. put in new plumbing but reuse bathroom suite until you can afford to upgrade; rewire but don't replaster until phase 2 - whenever that might be; build new extension but don't put in new kitchen units or whatever. Horrible I know but it's not for ever.

Thanks all and yes a very large gin and tonic is definitely called for!
I will look up the book you mention lala, thanks for that.

Our house is worth much less than we paid for it a year ago, even after doing a bit of work already, so it is hard to justify, and afford, a huge spend...

We will indeed be zoning the areas and doing the work in bits, am just struggling to work out a master plan - DSs are just 4 and 1 and very lively so hard to get any head space around here....

DO you reckon its worth paying a bit over the odds to get a builder to oversee it rather than trying to project manage it all myself?

If you are a novice and you feel your time is taken up with work/children then, yes, you can get a "main contractor" who will be responsible for all the subcontractors (brickies, electricians, plumbers etc) but you will still end up project managing it as a form of quality control and to stop the lying hard-pressed so-and-so just disappearing altogether. The only way to avoid proj managing completely is to hire in a project manager but it is expensive (about 10-15% of budget) and you still need to have made all your decisions about what finishes, where everything is going etc etc so will still have to be on hand a lot to answer questions.

Me? I always end up running project myself and it is bloody horrible but it does save money and I usually get something close to what I envisaged a the end of the (very painful) process.

Thanks lala, that all sounds familiar!

Have to admit am not a novice really, we have two done up our two previous houses with pretty good results, but this house is much bigger and much more neglected so the to do list is pretty mind boggling...

I suspect I will also end up doing it myself but just will have to resign myself to it taking a long time (am a bit impatient).

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

Oops - sorry, when you asked for a book, I assumed you hadn't done it before. May have come across as a tad patronising .

Oh don't worry lala, I still need to devour a decent book on the subject .
Last two renovations were childs play compared to this one, also this time we have 2 young DSs, the other times were pre-DC so I need to be much more organised as we will be living here while all the work is done - god I can't wait!!!!

the most important thing you need to do with house renovation is write/get help to write a really comprehensive schedule of works before you tender for a main contractor. Without that you will find yourself lammed with extras by the builder. It is soooo important!

Thats a good point bodiddly, who could help me put a schedule of works together?

to be honest that would be what an architect would normally do ... but if you don't want to pay one then I can suggest the subject titles etc of things that usually need considering - or see if I could nick one from work as an example for you.

Thanks bodiddly that is very kind of you.
Are you an architect?
We could use an architect to help, am just a bit wary of cost as we have so much to do without having to pay for fees on top...

I am an interior designer but worked for a company of architects doing house renovation architectural projects for many years in conjunction with the interiors. I am still connected with the company but now run the retail side of the interiors ... refurb work, curtains, blinds, bathrooms, kitchens flooring etc etc ... and the design!

Well if you get the chance bodiddly any tips would be most welcome...

I also do a bit of interior work, more styling/decor advice than design/project management so have never got involved with a big project like this.

The house used to be a multi-let and is very unloved, with 1970s pine kitchen, green bathroom suite with gold taps, very old wiring (and dodgy) and plumbing, rotten sash windows, revolting wallpaper with borders, as well as acres of the cheapest rental type carpet you can imagine.
All a bit depressing at the mo...

I will try and remember to get something tomorrow for you from work ... can you let me have your email address?

Sure, am on CAT if that helps, are you too?
If not will post it here.
Ta

I haven't got round to doing CAT .. I really should. For the sake of your privacy you could always send me an email to my work address ...
[email protected]

Thanks for that, will send one now.
Much appreciate

ok, will email you tomorrow as long as I can nick the relevant files from the architect's practice!

Ta, have emailed you....