Refurbishment, start with architect or builder? Lucan

Diseased toe

We need to fix up an ex rental property which we have just purchased to live in, Lucan area

We have a high level idea of what needs to be done such as new boiler and heating controls, upgrade bathrooms and kitchen, potentially some rearranging of downstairs, get access to attic (with an eventual plan for conversion), insulate attic and , replace/ fix internal doors, outside paving front and back.

My question is, do I start with a builder or architect? Who will have a good look at the house and tell me what really needs to be done and the best way to do it so as to maximise benefit and minise cost?

Many thanks

Flatzie_poo

If you have a builder you trust and is reputable, go with them first.

That's how I did mine, never never charged for the consultation, and thus I've never looked back.

Saved a good few quid in the process due to this, but it also depends on the level/complexity on site.

As a rule of thumb I wouldn't touch an architect for under a 70k budget, job.

Hope his helps.

PS - Nice username. Maybe prioritise that over a house renovation.

Diseased toe

Thanks for the advice - budget is way under 70k

very attached to the username although the toe is now fine btw

Flatzie_poo

All the best mate - if you need a good builder I can give you a name/number by PM, but if you're like me, with these things, you'll prefer to use your own!

Happy house renovating!

Kevhog1988

it would work out cheaper to split each item into small works packages and put them out to different trades but this would mean you need to have a basic knowledge of what you are at. If you have any questions feel free to pm me and ill help you out.

Also let me know what you want done with paving. My uncle does bits & pieces of that sort of work and is very reasonable.

Calahonda52

Diseased toe wrote: »

We need to fix up an ex rental property which we have just purchased to live in, Lucan area

We have a high level idea of what needs to be done such as new boiler and heating controls, upgrade bathrooms and kitchen, potentially some rearranging of downstairs, get access to attic (with an eventual plan for conversion), insulate attic and , replace/ fix internal doors, outside paving front and back.

My question is, do I start with a builder or architect? Who will have a good look at the house and tell me what really needs to be done and the best way to do it so as to maximise benefit and minise cost?

Many thanks

With a budget way under 70k, much of what is listed is a pipe dream.

I would star with deciding what you want to do with attic, if it will be a 3 storey then read up on the fire regs for 3+ storeys.
Then insulate the attic with the conversion in mind.
Then address heat loss through uncontrolled ventilation/draughts.

This will reduce you heat load and make boiler/new rads etc smaller and cheaper

Diseased toe

I'd like to avail of the home renovation grant and the SEAI grant, so to make the most of that would mean going with say one builder and coordinate everything through them. Correct?

happy to take pms with recommendations as I'll be getting a few quotes for the work.

Diseased toe

The attic conversion is a long term project, not included in the initial works but I if I use an architect I might get the design element done.

new boiler and heating controls 2.5 to 4 K

upgrade bathrooms - 2.5 to 3k per bathroom

Kitchen - min 5K,

potentially some rearranging of downstairs - 5 k

get access to attic (with an eventual plan for conversion)- Stira - 300 euro

insulate attic - 600 euro

replace/ fix internal doors - 90 to 150 per door

outside paving front and back - Unknown


Plus a few other bit and pieces


Am I in the right ballpark?

JimmyMW

Diseased toe wrote: »

The attic conversion is a long term project, not included in the initial works but I if I use an architect I might get the design element done.

new boiler and heating controls 2.5 to 4 K

upgrade bathrooms - 2.5 to 3k per bathroom

Kitchen - min 5K,

potentially some rearranging of downstairs - 5 k

get access to attic (with an eventual plan for conversion)- Stira - 300 euro

insulate attic - 600 euro

replace/ fix internal doors - 90 to 150 per door

outside paving front and back - Unknown


Plus a few other bit and pieces


Am I in the right ballpark?

For materials only, ya maybe but labor will be as much again in some cases

average_runner

Diseased toe wrote: »

We need to fix up an ex rental property which we have just purchased to live in, Lucan area

We have a high level idea of what needs to be done such as new boiler and heating controls, upgrade bathrooms and kitchen, potentially some rearranging of downstairs, get access to attic (with an eventual plan for conversion), insulate attic and , replace/ fix internal doors, outside paving front and back.

My question is, do I start with a builder or architect? Who will have a good look at the house and tell me what really needs to be done and the best way to do it so as to maximise benefit and minise cost?

Many thanks

For ur kitchen, look at [snip]. We got our design by shopping around. Just finished our attic conversion, it's abig job