Finding the perfect renovation contractor and the rest of your home refurbishment team is very important for ensuring that the project goes smoothly. The overall success of your refurbishment project will depend heavily on how good the team you build is, as architectural designers, structural engineers and building surveyors can all offer specialized expertise.
Hiring the perfect refurbishment team can be a difficult process, as a lot of effort can be put in during the research and development phase. Hours of research can be saved by taking a look at guides such as this that will explore how you can hire the perfect home refurbishment team.
With that being said, let’s dive straight into exploring each aspect of a refurbishment team that you will need for your project to be a success.
Renovation Contractor
Finding a contractor that specializes in renovating the specific area that you want to refurbish is the first step in creating an effective team. For example, if you want to refurbish your bathroom, there will be contractors that have significantly more experience with bathroom renovations. You need to ensure that you hire the right contractor for the job.
While word-of-mouth is a proven way to find good contractors, it isn’t the most effective. You should conduct your own research to ensure that you find the right fit for your project. Online trade directories allow users to find high-quality and trustworthy contractors, as they are ranked based on star rating, review quality, and their work portfolio.
When choosing a renovation contractor it’s important to avoid scams and fraud attempts. If you have fallen victim to contractor fraud, you should get advice from a fraud recovery agency.
Structural Engineer
If you require structural alteration as part of your refurbishment, then you will need to hire a structural engineer. Drawings and specifications can be provided to structural engineers to help them form a plan and they can then create a quote for the work. You can then make an informed decision on whether you are willing to pay what they have quoted.
A structural engineer can help you with designing new foundations, floor structures, staircases, and more. They can also assist you with assessing the condition of the building and how suitable it is for alterations. Conducting thorough research when hiring a structural engineer is important as you need someone with a good track record and job history.
Architectural Designers
Architectural designers are similar to structural engineers, as they both can help with the structural design of foundations and buildings. The main goal of an architect is to help you better understand what you are trying to achieve and offer you advice on how the structural changes are going to look.
You should look for architects registered with the Architects Registration Board. Many architects are also members of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and those that apply to their strict criteria will be the best choices when hiring an architectural designer.
Building Surveyor
If your refurbishment is for a new property that you have purchased, you should look at hiring a building surveyor from the start. They can help with preparing a report that will assess the condition of the property and be able to advise on any necessary repairs needed. This can help you better budget your project, as you know what will need spending.
You can get separate surveyors for each aspect of your property. This can help with receiving more precise information from surveyors who specialize in each aspect. The cost of the surveyor will depend on the scale of the building and how much of it needs assessing, so it is worth investing in a full report to see the full benefits of a building surveyor.