A refurbishment can be anything from a new kitchen and a lick of paint to stripping a house back to bare brick. Whatever the size, the jobs that go well have one thing in common: the big decisions were made before anyone picked up a tool. Here's what we suggest to Bromley homeowners before we start.
1. Decide what's structural
If any walls are coming out, that needs a structural engineer, steel beams and building control sign-off. It also affects everything that follows, so settle the layout first.
2. Get the electrics and heating checked
Older houses in Bromley often have wiring from decades ago and heating systems on their last legs. If the walls are being re-plastered anyway, that's the moment to rewire and replace pipework. Doing it after you've decorated means starting again.
3. Choose the kitchen and bathroom early
The positions of the sink, hob, shower and toilet decide where waste pipes, water and electrics go. Lead times on kitchens can be weeks, so order in good time.
4. Keep a contingency
Older properties hide things: rotten joists, old lead pipes, a chimney breast that's been half removed. We'll always point out risks at the survey stage, and if something does turn up we explain it and agree the cost in writing before we go on.
5. Think about living arrangements
Can you live there during the work? For kitchen and bathroom jobs, usually yes, with some planning. For a full strip-out, a few weeks elsewhere can make the job quicker and much less stressful.
Our Lea Green and Sandy Bury refurbishments both took eight weeks from start to finish. See our refurbishment page or ring for a free survey.