What's the best order in which to do up a flat?

Question

Hi all

I'm doing up a flat at the moment, and am right at the start of the project.

I need to replace the kitchen (inc decoration), replace bathroom (inc. decoration), decorate and carpet throughout and replaster the lounge ceiling. Also, I will need to put in a few extra sockets in the kitchen, and am planning to stick socket converters all over the house to double all the existing single sockets. Maybe move a light fitting or two as well.

My question is this - what is the best order to do things in? Should I start with the bathroom, the decoration, the kitchen, the electrics?
Please could you give me reasons why as well as just a suggested order.

I do not need to worry about living conditions in the house whilst doing it up, just in case that makes any difference.

Would really appreciate any advice. Let me know

Many thanks
Matt

Answer 1

start with electric. do your wiring, make sure you have the outlets where you want them, so you could patch up the walls after that. make sure you have the electrician come check it out if you're doing it yourself, oterwise, it might blow in the newly decorated apartment. then do your plumbing - start your bathroom remodelled. after that, paint your ceiling and walls since you're going to throw out the carpet. make sure your kitchen appliances are done before you replace the carpet, which would be the next step. when you got the new carpet, walls are done, start bringing your furniture in. as far as room by room - start with the kitchen and bathroom first (they are usually most problematic). also closets then base your choices on your needs..

that's how i would do it. good luck

Answer 2

Start with the electrics, light fittings, and then replaster the ceiling and around sockets etc..No good making a mess with these jobs if you have a new kitchen and bathroom, plus the plaster needs time to dry out properly. Replace the bathroom next. Then do the kitchen afterwards. If you do the kitchen first you might mess it up when you are doing the bathroom (dust and debris). Next - decorate before finally fitting the carpets. If you fit the carpets first you will have to protect them from paint spills etc.

Answer 3

If I understand you aren't concerned about living conditions. Assuming that is because it is vacant, start to demo what you are going to demo. Rip out kitchen, plaster or drywall, and start like it is newly framed. Then do it just like new construction. Rough-in mechanicals, insulation, drywall or plaster, paint walls, cabinets, flooring like tile and wood, trim, electrical trim out, HVAC trim, paint, plumbing, carpet. Punch list-paint touch up, shelving, door hardware, etc.

If you are living there, then start with just the kitchen, get it to function stage, maybe not trim and paint, but cabinets and countertops, plumbing and electric. Then do the same with the bathrooms. One at a time. Then the flat is back to be functional. Then get all the electric done, all the HVAC done, all the plumbing done, then insulation and drywall, after that, because the kitchen and bath(s) are at least functional, and all the drywall is done, things start getting easier. Proceed with flooring like tile and wood, trim, paint and carpet. Then punch list.

Sit back, take a break, have a beer.

Answer 4

I think I'd do one room at a time then move to the next. I guess the order I'd go in is starting at the farthermost room back and working my way forward, that way you can clean as you go without tracking the mess from one to the other.