Renovating a property - how much could you do without a builder?

VonLuck

This may be a "how long is a piece of string" question - how much could a person with very little experience in DIY do without the input of a builder?

Let's say just a typical refurbishment of a semi-detached home. No structural work, just new flooring, paint/wallpaper, tiling, new kitchen, insulating an attic, new windows and doors, maybe a new boiler and radiators.

If I was to undertake a job like this I would like to do as much as possible myself, not only to save money, but it's something I always wanted to try my hand at.

I would have thought, out of the list above, I could do everything besides plumbing, electrics and the windows/doors. Does that sound realistic or is there a lot more involved that a novice shouldn't undertake?

Calahonda52

The big factor is the elapsed time that it will take you to do the projects as a novice: e.g. tiling might take you 3 days, a tiler a few hours.
It also depends on what tools you have: a cheap and useless tile cutter from Woodies or a full blown water cooled diamond blade table saw for cutting tiles..
Same for all the projects,
one thing you don't mention is plastering/skimming: defo a pro task

K.Flyer

VonLuck wrote: »

No structural work, just new flooring, paint/wallpaper, tiling, new kitchen, insulating an attic, new windows and doors, maybe a new boiler and radiators.
If I was to undertake a job like this I would like to do as much as possible myself, not only to save money, but it's something I always wanted to try my hand at.
I would have thought, out of the list above, I could do everything besides plumbing, electrics and the windows/doors.
Does that sound realistic or is there a lot more involved that a novice shouldn't undertake?

If you are a complete novice I would suggest that you also leave the tiling and kitchen to someone more experienced and better equipped.
An expert tiler can make a tiling job with cheap tiles look great, whereas somone with no experience can make the best of tiles look sh!t.
The same with fitting kitchen units, levelling spacing and ensuring the wall units are not going to come crashing down requires know how.

kerry bhoy

With little DIY experience probably only painting on your list. Calahonda is right you didn't mention plastering. One thing I would recommend is airtightness, it's possible as a DIY job.

VonLuck

Calahonda52 wrote: »

The big factor is the elapsed time that it will take you to do the projects as a novice: e.g. tiling might take you 3 days, a tiler a few hours.
It also depends on what tools you have: a cheap and useless tile cutter from Woodies or a full blown water cooled diamond blade table saw for cutting tiles..
Same for all the projects,
one thing you don't mention is plastering/skimming: defo a pro task

The length of time is not an issue for me. And you're right, I wouldn't undertake any plastering.

K.Flyer wrote: »

If you are a complete novice I would suggest that you also leave the tiling and kitchen to someone more experienced and better equipped.
An expert tiler can make a tiling job with cheap tiles look great, whereas somone with no experience can make the best of tiles look sh!t.
The same with fitting kitchen units, levelling spacing and ensuring the wall units are not going to come crashing down requires know how.

Is tiling that difficult? I guess there's some skill required in making it perfectly level, probably best to leave that to the experts, or limit the amount of tiling!

kerry bhoy wrote: »

With little DIY experience probably only painting on your list. Calahonda is right you didn't mention plastering. One thing I would recommend is airtightness, it's possible as a DIY job.

I'd be very disappointed if painting is the only thing I could do. How difficult is it to lay a timber floor or a carpet? Are there any DIY courses that I could do to get me up to speed on other things or is that just a waste of time?

Calahonda52

Is tiling that difficult?
Good yes, bad not, any sucker can do it
Use screw tube for looking at DIY techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XizEuy1tq68

So OP: lets have a little tiling test here.
Bathroom is 2.3m sq on floor and walls are 2.5m high.

One window facing as you enter bathroom, 1.6m wide by 1.2 high, 1m off the floor and 150mm off centre to left, door 200 off centre to right.

The OH wants to use 600 by 400 wall tiles and 400 by 400 floor tiles.
Whats the "best" layout?
Time: 45 minutes. Twenty marks, workings to be shown:D

ps: there are many professional tilers who will make an ar$e of this

enricoh

I'm sure there's videos for everything on YouTube, and if u,'ve an bit of cop on you should be able to do an awful lot yourself.
Start in the box room with everything and u'll be a semi-pro when you get to the kitchen!
And forget woodies n home base absolute rip off compared to the local builders providers

kerry bhoy

VonLuck wrote: »

The length of time is not an issue for me. And you're right, I wouldn't undertake any plastering.



Is tiling that difficult? I guess there's some skill required in making it perfectly level, probably best to leave that to the experts, or limit the amount of tiling!



I'd be very disappointed if painting is the only thing I could do. How difficult is it to lay a timber floor or a carpet? Are there any DIY courses that I could do to get me up to speed on other things or is that just a waste of time?

Not to sure about DIY courses.of course you can have a go at tiling and timber flooring but for me there is a big difference between getting it done and getting it done right , but you never know you might be excellent at it..

Almost finished my self build (thank god) and did some work myself but I found getting the time to do more the biggest issue. I have done tiling in the past and I would have done an OK job of it but I personally think if ( money allows) let the guys who do it everyday do it.

Metric Tensor

In theory you could do all of them jobs yourself ... in the same way as a tiler could try his hand at doing your job.

It does down to experience and skill. You will never be as good at plumbing or tiling as a good professional because you won't have the practice or probably the best tools for the job. If you go the DIY route you will get better with practice - but do you want all the mistakes you will make on your first (and possibly only) attempt at installing a kitchen to be in your own kitchen?

So it's a time, money, quality trade-off. If you want a cheap job slowly do it yourself if you want a good job (that will cost) get an expert.

Also I echo the tiling - minor mistakes in laying tiles can look shocking!

Metric Tensor

P.S. A lot of people (including myself) do most of their own painting but it will never be the same quality as a professional job!

funk-you

You can do most of that yourself OP depending on your skill level. Obviously no job will be as good as a professional but with time, care and patience they can all be done. Don't skimp on using the right tools and materials.

-Funk

murphaph

funk-you wrote: »

You can do most of that yourself OP depending on your skill level. Obviously no job will be as good as a professional but with time, care and patience they can all be done. Don't skimp on using the right tools and materials.

-Funk

I would say my DIY tiling is comparable to some professional stuff I've seen. Our neighbours tiler made a dog's dinner of their shower, twice. What I mean to say is there are loads of cowboys calling themselves pros.

Gumbo

Technically you can do everything except the electrics and the boiler.
It's just about doing them correctly.

Bullocks

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Is tiling that difficult?
Good yes, bad not, any sucker can do it
Use screw tube for looking at DIY techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XizEuy1tq68

So OP: lets have a little tiling test here.
Bathroom is 2.3m sq on floor and walls are 2.5m high.

One window facing as you enter bathroom, 1.6m wide by 1.2 high, 1m off the floor and 150mm off centre to left, door 200 off centre to right.

The OH wants to use 600 by 400 wall tiles and 400 by 400 floor tiles.
Whats the "best" layout?
Time: 45 minutes. Twenty marks, workings to be shown:D

ps: there are many professional tilers who will make an ar$e of this

Easy , the best layout is exactly the way the OH tells you !

893bet

I am handy ish. Farming background. Used to "guntering".

The difference in my work to a good tradesman ( and I say good as there is cowboy tilers out there etc) is so noticeable that I have had it fixed since. Don't fool yourself otherwise. I was lucky I had nothing but top quality on site. Don't waste material on yourself on a massive investment you have in this property.

Best of luck otherwise.