The cost of a London flat refurbishment depends upon several factors:
1. Size and condition of the flat
2. Structural or non structural alterations
3. Necessity to comply with building regs (ie. listed building, alteration of the building facade, etc..)
NB. Professional consultancy (structural engeener, party wall surveyor etc...) adds up around £500 each.
BASIC REFURBISHMENTS
Installing new flooring, fitting a new kitchen, installing some new lighting, painting, joinery work (shelving or cupboards), modifying an existing bathroom = £10-£15k
FULL REFURBISHMENT
Structural work (alteration of internal wall position), replacing ceilings, installing new electrics, installing a new boiler and radiators, re-plastering walls, replacing flooring, fitting a new kitchen and bathroom = £15-£30k
SPECIAL REFURBISHMENT
Major structural internal alterations, addition of insulations, extensions = £35k +
COST PER SQUARE METER
BASIC REFURBISHMENTS
In the region of £500 to £1,000 per square meter.
FULL REFURBISHMENT
Around £2,000 per square meter.
How to start
1. The process: understand the the different phases of refurbishment through this video.
2. Contact professionals for advice and clarifications: contact Omnide (or any other architect with experience in refurbishing flats in London from ARB website).
3. Get a quotation: choose at least 4 builders, both by word-of-mouth and at least one from MyBuilder.com
4. Negotiate hard
What to be carefull about
Builders tend to be easy going and extremely vague on the first quote, then charge more for every single request of clarification (ie. YOU 'As requested the disposal of the demolished material is included, isn't it?' THE BUILDER 'No for that is an extra £1000').
Later they become very precise and picky for every single small extra work or material that was not specified in the quotation. Therfore:
A. Ask for a written quotation on headed paper.
B. Ask to specify which material is included.
C. Ask if the builder's company is insured.
D. Ask to specify the starting date and the duration of the works.
E. Ask if any permit (for placing the skip on the street or parking a van in the area) is included.
F. Agree on the payment schedules.
1. Size and condition of the flat
2. Structural or non structural alterations
3. Necessity to comply with building regs (ie. listed building, alteration of the building facade, etc..)
NB. Professional consultancy (structural engeener, party wall surveyor etc...) adds up around £500 each.
BASIC REFURBISHMENTS
Installing new flooring, fitting a new kitchen, installing some new lighting, painting, joinery work (shelving or cupboards), modifying an existing bathroom = £10-£15k
FULL REFURBISHMENT
Structural work (alteration of internal wall position), replacing ceilings, installing new electrics, installing a new boiler and radiators, re-plastering walls, replacing flooring, fitting a new kitchen and bathroom = £15-£30k
SPECIAL REFURBISHMENT
Major structural internal alterations, addition of insulations, extensions = £35k +
COST PER SQUARE METER
BASIC REFURBISHMENTS
In the region of £500 to £1,000 per square meter.
FULL REFURBISHMENT
Around £2,000 per square meter.
How to start
1. The process: understand the the different phases of refurbishment through this video.
2. Contact professionals for advice and clarifications: contact Omnide (or any other architect with experience in refurbishing flats in London from ARB website).
3. Get a quotation: choose at least 4 builders, both by word-of-mouth and at least one from MyBuilder.com
4. Negotiate hard
What to be carefull about
Builders tend to be easy going and extremely vague on the first quote, then charge more for every single request of clarification (ie. YOU 'As requested the disposal of the demolished material is included, isn't it?' THE BUILDER 'No for that is an extra £1000').
Later they become very precise and picky for every single small extra work or material that was not specified in the quotation. Therfore:
A. Ask for a written quotation on headed paper.
B. Ask to specify which material is included.
C. Ask if the builder's company is insured.
D. Ask to specify the starting date and the duration of the works.
E. Ask if any permit (for placing the skip on the street or parking a van in the area) is included.
F. Agree on the payment schedules.