Hope this help some of you its something I out together sometime ago I've taken it from various sites over the years we have all heard this phrase I'm sure "
It has lots of potential"
good luck


Renovating

Do your research

Check how long the property has been up for sale. Choosing a location What should I look out for? Ensure you're not buying a money pit. In an older property you should be prepared for anything, right down to half the wall staying on the wallpaper when stripping or great holes behind the panelling. Don't be afraid to make umpteen visits with every type of tradesman in order to know what you're letting yourself in for! Roofers, timber and damp specialists and electricians will charge nothing or very little to engage their services for estimates and will be more beneficial to you than a surveyor in the initial stages.

How much work is involved?

This depends on the property, but don't bite off more than you can chew. For a good first experience of renovating, try doing up a dated property rather than a wreck. A new kitchen, bathroom, central heating, carpets and re-decoration will miraculously transform something dark and decrepit into a 'des res'.


Be prepared. The phrase most heard when doing up a wreck is: "
It cost twice as much as I thought it would."
Set yourself a budget and build in some contingency funding - 15 per cent of the total cost is a good guideline.You should always liaise with the builder and ensure work is carried out to a specification. You could manage your own project or employ an independent.

Get all the quotes you can well in advance, from carpenters to electricians that way you can calculate all your expenditure.

Never expect the scheduled time-scales. The buying and the restoring may not always go as planned? remember this is Bulgaria Seek as much advice as possible, especially from people who've done it before. Be prepared to live in a building site until things are settled.


Employing tradesmen

Decide exactly what work you want to undertake before asking for any quotations. Write a clear specification;
it need not be technical, but it should detail the work you want to carry out this will confirm the precise arrangements for the work to be done: the price, the payment terms, working hours.Additionally, remember that your builder will be spending a lot of time in your home, and therefore should be someone you feel comfortable with. Good communication
and a professional relationship is very important if you want the project to run smoothly. Reputable builders will always want to do their best work for you from the very start.

Get a quote

We've all heard stories about 'cowboy' builders who charge a small fortune for their work and leave the property in a worse state than when they arrived. To stop this happening, it's essential that you employ a good tradesman and have an idea of how much the work should cost.

What is a quote?

To obtain the exact fixed cost of a job, you should always request a quote before any work is undertaken.The quote should include a schedule, especially if it's a large job. This will provide a breakdown of costs for each of he main stages of the work.It's important when obtaining a quote that you confirm how long the price is valid for and whether it includes VAT.Finally, remember that a very cheap quote may mean the use of poor quality materials or inexperienced workers. To avoid this, it's recommended to request at least three quotes before selecting a contractor.

What is an estimate?

If you're provided with an estimated cost for a job you should remember that this is simply a rough calculation. This is not a fixed cost and will almost certainly change upon completion of the job. To remove any doubts, you should always request a quote before any work is undertaken.Hourly charges and call-out fees for builders vary across the country. Some builders always charge a call-out fee whereas others don't charge them but will add travel time and fuel cost instead.

Find a tradesman

If you're looking for a good builder but don't know where to start,follow these guidelines to help you get the right person for the job.

Recommendation

Ask for references and names of previous clients. Speak to them and look at their previous work, if possible. Deal with an established Builder Make sure they have an office address, telephone number and use headed notepaper. and if VAT is being charged, make sure there is a VAT number shown.

Be clear about what you want

Get a written specification and estimate. Agree any stage and final payments before work starts.Get more than one estimate. Avoid changing your mind halfway through a job - it usually costs more and causes delays.

What to look out for

High pressure sales people from so-called specialists.Do not sign anything you have not read or do not understand.Advance payments, particularly at the start
of the job, should be avoided.Demands for cash payments. You are only fuelling the black economy and putting yourself at risk from rogue traders.

What to do if things go wrong

Speak to your builder if you think things are not right. Try and resolve problems quickly, do not let them fester. If your builder does not sort things out after you have spoken to him, put your complaint in writing.If there are still problems, get further advice. Depending on the problem, consult a Lawyer.


Follow 10 simple rules.

1.Determine your budget and stick to it.

2.Don’t underestimate your costs. Keep an additional 15% contingency budget.

3.If you have any doubts about the property either walk away or get a surveyor to check it for you and give you some idea of costs.

4.Check the drainage, particularly if there is a septic tank? is it adequate?

5.Get a copy of the 'skitsa' to check that the boundaries are correct and all the buildings are shown.

6.Check the roof and walls

7.Avoid buying on impulse.Take plenty of time to look around the property and take notes.

8.Will your builder use common sense? and remember that if your using a Bulgarian Builder some things can be lost in translation so make sure you have a good translator to hand.

9.Check for yourself. Is there an electricity and water supply?

10.Talk to the locals they are the ones who will know more than anyone about the property and its a good way to get a feel for the people around.

daveshaz will see with the team if we can make it a sticky

Oddy

oddball wrote:

daveshaz will see with the team if we can make it a sticky

Oddy

Done

Absolutely right comments.

We are bulgarian company who have done lot of work for british citizens who lives constantly in Bulgaria.
References available of course.
Free estimates around the country.
Fluent english for communication as well !

building services wrote:

Absolutely right comments.

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building services"
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Thanks

OK, thank you, I've done it already and you can read it !

:Good post:Davshaz. In our case we were introduced to a builder (via our translator) who turned out to be excellent. He was the big boss aka project manager who oversaw every detail of the work involved. He provided a quote broken down into sections together with quantities and costs. Our new house, which was built in the 1800s, came in at well under 15% over the quote when one of the supporting pillars collapsed. Not unusual in such an old building. We had the same team as the one who did a simple but effective renovation on our first house in 2004 which was nice to meet as old friends and share jokes.
As Davshaz said, so much has been read of disasters on forums that I now realise how lucky we were both in the choice of house/village and builders. I can also vouch that there are very good builders in Bulgaria but finding them can be pure chance. Davshaz has given an excellent rundown of how to go about it.