Ensuite/Laundry conversion

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping I can get some valuable help on this forum (I've just been reading a few other post & they are excellent!). My fiance & I have just bought our first home (a lovely califorian bungalow in need of some love & attention).

Next year we are planning on taking the back of the house off & extending, but for the time being we want to convert our current dining room into an ensuite & laundry, which would involve cutting a new doorway from the bedroom to dining, putting up an internal wall to seperate the ensuite from the laundry, all plumbing & electrical work.

As my future hubby is very busy at work he has given me the job of pretty much managing the entire thing (this is on top of my job of planning our wedding!), all of which I am really enjoying (I'm not a princess & don't mind getting my hands dirty).....but I am finding it really hard to get a decent tradie to quote, let alone do the job b/c it's deemed 'too small' and they obviously don't see it as worth their time.

While it isn't a massive job, there is potential down the track when we do the big extension (new kitchen, bathroom, bedroom & open plan living) & I would rather have someone on the job then that I know & trust their work.

Has anyone got any suggestions or tips??? Anything would be greatly appreciated!!! :D

Even though it only seems a small job, it'll probably cost more than you expect.

To do it all you need at least three visits each by plumbers and electricians - one for the rip out, one for the rough in of the new stuff, and one for the final, plus a carpenter, a plasterer, a waterproofing guy, a tiler and a painter. Depending on local regulations, you may need structural plans submitted to council as well as plans of the new plumbing layout.

Plus you may run into mandatory extra costs (I think is is now mandatory for an electrician to install a safety switch if they do any work on a fuse box without one...which for size reasons may mean a new fuse box needs to be fitted...I'm not a sparky so don't take my word on this!!)

With some of these trades (plasterer, tiler, painter) they won't have a huge job on their hands, but there's enough set up/prep/delivery required that you'll end up being billed top rates for it as it will basically be their only job for the day.

Its the sort of job that's too big for the average local handyman type tradesman, and way too small for a builder in the current building climate. Best bet is to keep looking through the local papers for a semi-retired builder who is looking for small jobs, or try one of the companies that specialise in bathroom renovation (as that is essentially what you are doing, but you aren't starting off with a bathroom!)

My price guestimate would be in the $15-$30k range for the job, or more if you have expensive taste in bathroom fittings!

I have never tried them ... but what about those online trade connect services where you register interest and then the tradies call you? That way you get contact from those that want work? You obviously need to be carefully that there isn't a reason they don't have work!! :)

Just a thought.