Hello,
I am quite new to this topic, so please be patient with me. Building a new house is not an option for us financially (at least if we want to build something we consider reasonable). We have found an existing property (built in the 1930s) for a low price (two full floors with a convertible hipped roof). The facade is finished, plastic windows are installed, and the roof is watertight, but there are a few things we would like to do, such as:
- The electrical system needs to be redone at least on the upper floor
- We would like to convert the attic for our children (probably using an above-rafter insulation and drywall construction; a new staircase from the upper floor to the attic will be required)
- There are two very small bathrooms; we want to combine a room completely into a family bathroom
- On the ground floor, we want to connect the living room and the adjacent room by creating an opening
- A fireplace should be installed (the chimney, currently sealed under the roof, needs to be extended through the roof again)
- Basement waterproofing might be necessary
Since no one has a crystal ball to help me here, we want to try it differently. Which companies should I contact first to go through the house with a professional and get cost estimates in advance?
- Electrician is obvious
- Above-rafter insulation is done by a roofing company
- Attic conversion is done by a drywall contractor (are staircases only built by carpenters?)
- Bathroom renovation by drywall contractors and plumbers?
- Who do I ask about the wall opening and the fireplace in the living room?
- Who does basement waterproofing?
My goal is to avoid having to bring 20 different people into the house just to get estimates. (I understand that in the end, wallpapering, painting, and installing flooring will still be necessary.)
Best regards
I am quite new to this topic, so please be patient with me. Building a new house is not an option for us financially (at least if we want to build something we consider reasonable). We have found an existing property (built in the 1930s) for a low price (two full floors with a convertible hipped roof). The facade is finished, plastic windows are installed, and the roof is watertight, but there are a few things we would like to do, such as:
- The electrical system needs to be redone at least on the upper floor
- We would like to convert the attic for our children (probably using an above-rafter insulation and drywall construction; a new staircase from the upper floor to the attic will be required)
- There are two very small bathrooms; we want to combine a room completely into a family bathroom
- On the ground floor, we want to connect the living room and the adjacent room by creating an opening
- A fireplace should be installed (the chimney, currently sealed under the roof, needs to be extended through the roof again)
- Basement waterproofing might be necessary
Since no one has a crystal ball to help me here, we want to try it differently. Which companies should I contact first to go through the house with a professional and get cost estimates in advance?
- Electrician is obvious
- Above-rafter insulation is done by a roofing company
- Attic conversion is done by a drywall contractor (are staircases only built by carpenters?)
- Bathroom renovation by drywall contractors and plumbers?
- Who do I ask about the wall opening and the fireplace in the living room?
- Who does basement waterproofing?
My goal is to avoid having to bring 20 different people into the house just to get estimates. (I understand that in the end, wallpapering, painting, and installing flooring will still be necessary.)
Best regards
You forgot the tiler and possibly the plasterer.
A staircase can be built by a carpenter, but there are also many companies specializing in stair construction.
Wall openings are usually done by a general construction company. A bricklayer will come and take care of it. They can also rebuild your fireplace. If it’s a load-bearing wall, a structural engineer should probably take a look.
You can either find someone to coordinate everything, such as a civil engineer or architect, or try to manage the coordination yourself. However, you won’t avoid having several tradespeople visit the site and possibly inspect it in person.
But I think you should definitely get professional support to guide you, since the renovation is quite complex and you want to do a lot. A lot can go wrong, and costs can escalate quickly.
We have now completed the entire project and are glad it’s done. However, it also cost quite a bit more than we had planned.
A staircase can be built by a carpenter, but there are also many companies specializing in stair construction.
Wall openings are usually done by a general construction company. A bricklayer will come and take care of it. They can also rebuild your fireplace. If it’s a load-bearing wall, a structural engineer should probably take a look.
You can either find someone to coordinate everything, such as a civil engineer or architect, or try to manage the coordination yourself. However, you won’t avoid having several tradespeople visit the site and possibly inspect it in person.
But I think you should definitely get professional support to guide you, since the renovation is quite complex and you want to do a lot. A lot can go wrong, and costs can escalate quickly.
We have now completed the entire project and are glad it’s done. However, it also cost quite a bit more than we had planned.
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