The #maybankholiday s are famously DIY weekends in the UK and although I wonder how much DIY is left to do after a year indoors, I wanted to acknowledge it by posting part 1 of the checklist corresponding to the things you should be looking at (inside your home) before you venture into a refurb. And, of course, as well as the checklist, I want to illustrate why you should not ignore them by highlighting the impact they could have on your project and budget Asbestos: Many people think asbestos is no longer present in buildings. However, in the UK, people don't have an obligation to remove it, if it is not damaged, and hence many just cover it rather than removing it... this can be a problem if you are not told when purchasing a property and find it by surprise. A few years ago we were taking down a kitchen when suddenly, a metre square or so of tiles came down as soon as they were hit with a chisel. We were shocked. We had to bring an asbestos specialist who confirmed our fears, surveyed the rest of the flat, notified the relevant authority and carry out the removal works. This delayed the process by 3 weeks (during which the apartment had to be closed). To prevent delays (and extra costs), do consider having an asbestos survey done beforehand. Walls and floors: The condition of the walls and floors can tell you a lot about the building's health. Hairline cracks may be a sign of the building is settling or a response to the movement of natural materials which contract and expand. However, cracks that fit more than a penny (a 1 pence coin, that is) could be a warning of a bigger problem. A stain could be a sign of rising damp or an alert of an external problem that needs addressing. The movement of wooden floors could be due to a poor installation, or the reminder of a historical (possibly addressed) problem but it could also be something that requires more urgent attention. (Too many possibilities to fit in this space) So, be thorough when you look around, seek professional advice when in doubt and ensure that you have enough contingency money should anything arise once the work commences
