Watch out for the cowboys

Aug 3 2008 Donny Sheridan

Diy Donny Know Your Brickies From Your Sparks And How Much They Charge To Help You Hire The Right People For Each Job

Sometimes you have to call in the experts rather than attempt complicated renovation jobs yourself. A professional is best if you are giving a room a complete Colin and Justin-style makeover or are converting garages into rooms.

It is vital to know what each tradesperson does and, of course, how much it costs to hire them.

Do they charge an hourly or daily rate or offer a fixed-price quote for the entire job?

Give them space to carry out their work rather than having three or four folk trying to work in the same space.

Lots of workers on a project may not get the job done quicker - and it could end up costing you more.

Here is a quick guide to trades and their associated costs.

JOINER

Without downgrading the importance of other trades, the joiner is the main person to get right.

This is because a joiner is first on a job and the last to leave. At the start they remove old doors and partition walls then carry out behind-thescenes work that gets covered over with plasterboard and flooring.

Joiners then do the finishing touches, such as skirting boards and doors. Only the painter is there after them.

They work alongside other trades and solve any problems. They liaise with the bricklayers at the start of projects such as extensions and with plumbers and electricians when fitting kitchens.

Depending on the type of job, joiners' charges vary. Something simple like a fitted kitchen could be a fixed price. Any work that can be seen from a drawing will also usually be priced and quoted for.

Expect to pay between £150 and £200 per day for labour if you have a small job that will only take a day or two.

ELECTRICIAN

This is a regulated tradesperson similar to a gas fitter. Check they are Corgi registered to ensure they are fully qualified and up to date with any changes to the electrical regulations.

An electrician is usually expected to carry out most jobs with two visits, the first being to provide temporary electrical supplies and lay cables and back boxes. After the plasterer has finished, they will fit socket faceplates.

There are no hidden costs with an electrician as everything is priced according to a schedule of works or plan showing where each power point goes. Confusion only arises when things are changed or added.

Everything that needs an electrical supply is the electrician's responsibility. Ensure you get a certificate for any work carried out.

Most electricians have an apprentice to carry out tasks such as the raggling of walls and drilling of joists and you will pay around £220 per day for both of them.

BRICKLAYER

Most bricklayers work outside as most internal walls are now constructed from timber. This means it is usual for bricklayers to be rained off a job for periods of time. The weather will be factored into the cost.

Brickies usually price per 1000 bricks laid. If the weather does not get in the way, they will lay 1000 bricks per day - around 15 metres squared.

There will be a difference between bricks and blocks so rates vary. It costs around £500 per1000 bricks but this will include corners, window reveals and all fixings.

DONNY'S LITTLE HELPER

It's tough getting the perfect finish when applying a sealant such as silicon around a bath.

Rather than use fingers to remove excess, invest in a sealant smoother for a professional result.