Owning your own home

I assume if you read the small print you'll discover that as the contractors are working directly for you, xxx will have no liability for any fuck ups.

They are, we would hold the contracts.

Sounds fishy to me.

I was recommended these guys by someone on here... http://www.cjs-london.com/

I think I asked this in the wrong thread yesterday:
What's it likely to cost to have a gas fire capped off and removed?

My mother in law had a similar issue with her drive. She found where the guy lived and knocked on his door one evening, asking if he was OK as he hadn't replied to her recent texts and she was worried about him. Then shamed him into agreement in front of his wife.

But if you don't have her Liam Neeson levels of persistence it doesn't look good.

She found where the guy lived and knocked on his door one evening, asking if he was OK as he hadn't replied to her recent texts and she was worried about him. Then shamed him into agreement in front of his wife.

I like this

Iirc when my folks had a major renovation project, their JCT was with the main contractor (who subcontracted works). Then the woman doing the actual project management had a side contract. Although her role was more of a comms person.

Worth pointing out that sometimes there can be cost savings if you're contracting directly with the subcontractors. Mainly because often they're won't be VAT registered, whereas a mgmt Co will almost definitely be.

If there's a kitchen going in the extension then that's possibly a lot of subcontractors.

There are obviously pros and cons to this. But thought it was worth pointing out.

Indeed.

When it comes to enforcing her consumer rights she makes Martin Lewis like Richard Prior in Brewster's millions.

We wouldn't be sourcing and contracting them, they would. We would hold the contract, pay them as PMs and they would pocket the difference. They get the premium of subcontracting with out holding the risk it seems. It might be fine and they were the cheapest but we don't know enough to make a good judgment so we wont be using them.

Good call. The commercial balance behind that arrangement is for them to focus solely on getting the cheapest contractors, leaving you with all the risk. Can't see what benefit there is for you.

An important thing to ask is who will be taking the design responsibility of the project because looking over what you've said recently it seems like that's what they're trying to avoid. Although it may go to the project management side but its definitely always good to ask to avoid doubt.

Still not sure if my new place is a goer, but... (and I know this gets asked regularly) but any removal firm recommendations, East London?

Mr Shifter are so nice, and very reasonably priced: https://mrshifterlondon.co.uk/

Cheers!

Progress!

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Ooh... I've gone past mortgage deed signed, and have levelled up to land registry transfer signed.

I think we're close (to my bank account being emptied).

In the rather good news, the fixtures and fittings document has come over and it looks like we're getting the 1 year old Neff fitted-out kitchen thrown in, along with a few other things I thought they might be tempted to take with them. Yes I expected them to leave some things, but leaving every single white good when it's all so new is quite surprising. I kinda feel for them now, they clearly did the work hoping for a higher price and their first buyer pulling out has really screwed them (in our favour).

Congrats!

Don't look at the horse's teeth though.

The survey and other stuff was all good. But as this was at the top end of our affordability, to not need to go shopping for white goods is a hell of a relief.

Yeah, it is nice, like moving into a rental, you can cook immediately. No living on pizza and curry until delivery vans and gas engineers arrive.

leaving every single white good when it's all so new is quite surprising

They are a huge pain to move and often don’t survive and / or will not fit in the place they are going to.

A common ruse is to ask the buyer for a token fee like £250 for them (I fell for this). They are sometimes used as bargaining chips to secure a sale at a price, “agree and we’ll throw in the white goods”.

If you were feeling extremely uncharitable you could ask them to remove them / charge them to remove them - especially if you wanted to fit your own.

But but.. thats the dream

Congrats boss, hopefully smooth stress free sailing from here on!

Talking of getting kitchens thrown-in... My brother's friend is having an extension done, brand new kitchen etc etc and decided that he was going to chuck his current kitchen in the skip! (more money than sense)

Hand-built solid wood units, copper fittings (not everyone's taste sure), wood worktop, double ceramic sink, cooker with bespoke unit.... in the skip... So i baggsied it. Just picked it up.

Now I just need to find a house to put it in.

First batch of viewings on my Bristol flat yesterday. 10 through the door, 1 offer at asking and 2 over. 9 more viewings tomorrow.

So much for a buyer's market.

Awesome. Was this with a traditional or online EA?

Yooooooooooo