My family is managing a 3 bedroom flat whose third bedroom was converted into a study by knocking out the interior wall. This makes the hall more bright and airy from the window and bigger.
However, the letting agent says we will get more from converting it back to a three bedroom. Not only because three bedrooms command more money. Also, because it gets listed as a three bedroom property where people with more cash will look.
How do we convert it back? A brick wall would be more solid.
But, a sliding door would give us the option of reversing. It could be cheaper, quicker. More options for landlords. More options for tenants.
Finding a Builder
The old system would be to go by recommendation. Or to check in the phone book. Pick somebody nearby. They would find it cheaper to visit you for a checkup of the property or to meet you. They would find it easier to drop off tools and equipment. They know local shops and suppliers. They have accounts for trade discounts at the local building supplies shops.
My husband suggested we should look at check-a-trade to find somebody reliable, with reviews and photos.
Listing What I Need
I was asked to describe the job. And how long it would take. Jobs always take longer than you think. That is why you are better off getting a fixed price for the job. Otherwise the workers turn up late and go off sick and charge you for the whole day, plus fetching items which takes a day when they are stuck in traffic. You can get delivery, which saves paying for the worker for his time going there and back. Any guarantee goes to the person who pays. So if the builder buys the goods, you might not get the guarantee.
Looking at Each Worker's Reviews
Firstly, I would reject those with no reviews. They could be good for simple jobs. My job is more complicated. However, I go for cheaper. Costs always escalate. You are asked if the job will take one hour, up to four, or more than four. It is bound to be over an hour. But if it is over four, looking at the costs. Just the four hours at the lower end of the scale of 50 pounds is already a cost of 200 just for labour without the cost of the wall materials.
Finding a Partition
I did google searches using the word bedroom. I got lots of results for wardrobes. Interestingly, one result was somebody who built a partition using wardrobe doors. I had wondered about that.
My son was concerned about not damaging the floor if we wanted to remove the partition later.
We need the receipts for a note of the prices to list, and prove as genuine expenses, if challenged, to offset against tax on profits. Also if we needed to replace a damaged curtain, or add a window curtain to match in the same room, or to copy this elsewhere, it is helpful to know the supplier.
Update - Curtains October 2022
As the saying goes, curtains. Like curtains drawn across a stage. Yes, the end of the story was that no DIY shop supplied indoor doors and skylights, a small wall would cost a fortune, and take time, and no carpenters replied to our appeal.
Meanwhile, my husband popped into John Lewis in Brent Cross. He ignored my suggestions of using a shower curtain (too flimsy, silly patterns, too narrow, nor two, too heavy for the shower rail, and ignored my suggestion of a shower rail or two (too flimsy).
He bought a blackout (backed) curtain from John Lewis in Brent Cross from a helpful lady. He fixed it up himself. It was not cheap. I was shocked at the price.
But the job was done.
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