Small house in Leeds

[JuddR]

Hi all

 

First time buyer, just bought a small Victorian terraced house in Leeds. Renovations planned include a new kitchen, some plastering, making the cellar useable. I've been lurking here a bit and might post for advice on them and other little things. I don't have any advice to contribute!

 

Two weeks ago I hired someone to re-plaster the main bedroom. Unfortunately the ceiling already has cracks in it. He says he told me it was weak and might need re-boarding - but I agreed to that! Not sure why he didn't do it. Also, five of the seven plugs no longer work. Any advice on what to do in this scenario?

[SteamyTea]

Welcome

I suspect that once you start one job, you will find many things that need improving/repairing.

You may be better off hanging back on things and starting to look carefully at what really needs doing.

5 of the 7 sockets not working could mean a major rewire, or something as simple deliberately disconnected circuit.

Choose carefully where you spend your money, getting an old Victorian house comfortable and warm is not easy, but if most of the walls are going to be plastered, that is the time to do other improvements.

 

[markc]

Hi and welcome, all good advice above.

5 of 7 sockets not working sounds like a broken/chewed cable and or botched DIY wiring job so needs looking at as flooring could need pulling up and plaster chopped out etc.

cracks in new plaster could well be weak ceiling or drying out too quickly.

Leeds has areas of hig water table and odd strata so cellars can be difficult to dry out dependant on area, but on the whole the houses are sound.

[ProDave]

My guess is the ceiling is lath and plaster and in danger of collapsing if he tried to skim it.  Best solution strip the lath and plaster off and plasterboard.  Quicker less messy solution plasterboard over the old lath and plaster then skim or tape and fill.

 

Did the sockets work to start with?  If so what happened immediately prior to them stopping working?  Did you get an EICR done?  What sort of fuse box / consumer unit (will give a clue to age)  Is that only a total of 7 sockets in the whole house?  If so you probably want more so at least a partial rewire is probably in order. (my previous 1930's semi had a total of just 4 sockets, 2 double 2 single, when I bought it)

 

If you are doing a full renovation have a long hard think what you want to achieve?  rewire, new plumbing, extra insulation and detailing the air tightness, new heating, change of layout etc etc.  There could be a lot more than just patch up the plaster and re paint.