KHex

Hi, a long post as my 1st one on the forum. I'm close to putting an offer in to buy an old house build in the 1820's. The house is on 4 stories (lower ground, ground, 1st and loft). There is lots of work required on the house and I am a complete novice when it comes to an approach, plan, order of work, budgeting, quality of work and engaging the correct tradespeople. The house is in need of much renovation including: Remediate rising damp problem in the lower ground floor (no soil built up against the external walls, this is held back by external retaining walls) Remediate chimney damp and chimney stack issues Remediate roof issues, including possible new roof required Replace damaged roof skylights x 3 Signs of internal wood and plaster damp due to points above Signs of woodworm that may require some timber replacement and checmical treatment Requires full heating system and electric combi-boiler (only electric storage heaters atm) Requires full rewiring Wooden framed double glazing Requires some rooms to be stripped back and replastered (possibly replacing damp/damaged timbers) Rebuild an external soil retaining wall around 2 sides of the house and add a dpc (wall is about 1.5m away from the house. Update & upgrade bathrooms Fit new kitchen Remediate or replace fireplaces The structure of the property is sound. I am also aware I need to maintain breathability for old house, manage getting qualified tradespeople, manage getting quotes and contracts and manage delivery milestones and project plan. The kinds of questions I have buzzing around my head is: Can all the issues be fixed? Should I use a Construction Consultant to guide me, help with contracts, help me assign a lead construction firm, insurances, check trades peoples accreditation and provide project management type services for the list above? Should I consider just using a lead construction firm and let them quote and do the work without the above consultant? Are there some jobs on the list that are more suitable to being managed directly between me and an installer, like the kitchen or bathrooms? At what stage do the tradespeople ask how I want the electrics or plumbing to look? Is this done up front when costing the work? Do I need to spec the level of work I require? I'd rather pay a bit more for a quality job with guarantees. In home remediation terms is the above list easy everyday stuff for good tradespeople? What error of margin can I expect in the quotes I receive? Is 20% error normal? I have no idea. The final one for me is what should I be asking a Construction Consultant to actually do beyond guide me and ensure the work is a success? Can you share any lessons learned or any advice you think I need to know at this point? Apologies for the long post and thank you if you take the time to reply to me.