Examples of people Dennis has helped
Here is a small selection of the types of project Dennis has helped with over the years
Scott and Lisa Bifold doors
Scott and Lisa dreamed of open plan living with large glass door at the rear of their house opening out to their garden. There firstly contacted local builders and obtained quotations, these ranged between £15,000 and £25,000. The prices meant the project was out of their price range. Scott had some DIY experience but was not confident with removing walls and installing steel beams. He contacted Dennis and fully discussed the options then arranged to carry out the work with Dennis as a Project Partner. Dennis visited the site and worked with Scott planning the work Inc. an application to building control and structural calculations. A list of materials was made and Dennis advised on the most cost-effective way of purchasing. Scott ordered and paid directly for all of the required materials. Along with friends and family members Scott installed acro props, removed patio doors and windows, removed the rear brick and stonework. Then with the use of lifting gear installed the steel beam followed by the finishing work, finishing stone plaster boarding. All the way throughout the work Dennis was on site advising and helping but allowing Scott to lead the work. Scott and Dennis worked with double glazing installers and suppliers and it was decided then a local company would supply and install the sliding doors as that was the most cost effective and practical option. A plasterer was also contracted to reinstate damaged plaster work.
Scott and Lisa were able to rise to the challenge and carry out the work themselves and were delighted with the results.
Scott said “It would not have been possible without Dennis’s help and guidance to achieve what we did. He explained every part of the process and was there to guide us at every point”
Costs
Materials £1000
Sliding doors £4500
Plasterer £300
AskBuilderDennis
5 days @ £400 per day £2000
Total Project cost £7900
£7100 lower that the lowest quotation
Mitford Village Hall
Generator House
The committee of Mitford Village hall required a brick out house to store a generator. They had talked to several contractors who all had different ideas proposals. They were unsure how to proceed. They contacted Dennis to help them with their decision.
"Dennis looked at the different quotations and went through the pros and cons of each with us and we were able to make a well informed decision."
AskBuilderDennis
1 hour video call £80
Harpreet and Ruby
Garage door
Harpreet wanted to replace a damaged section of wood cladding covering a old garage door. They contacted Dennis for advice on whether they should replace with wood or plastic and would it be something they could do themselves. They had been quoted £1000 for plastic replacement. They decided to ask Dennis to help them carry out the work.
"Dennis came to our house to help us fit the plastic. We had already removed all the old wood ourselves. Together we fitted the the plastic in 3 hours."
Materials £260
AskBuilderDennis
30min video call £45
Project Partner £200
Ian & Val
Bathroom
Ian and Val contacted Dennis for advice on refurbishing their bathroom, Ian was happy with the joinery work but was unsure about the plumbing, he was quoted £600 by a local plumber but wanted to do the work himself. He contacted Dennis to get some advice on pipe routes, types of connectors, supplies and fitting. Ian completed the plumbing and then came back to Dennis for more help when they wanted to fit plastic cladding to the walls and ceiling.
Ian and Val said they enjoyed doing the work themselves with the confidence they were doing things correctly
Materials £120
AskBuilderDennis
3 x 30min video call @ £45 each total £135
Total cost £255
£345 cheaper than quote
Beth and Laura
Plaster Boarding
Beth and Laura bought a flat that required the old plaster be removed back to the brick, a timber frame installed and plasterboard fitted ready for plaster skim to be applied. They had never done any DIY work but were very keen to learn and feel the achievement working on their own house, as well as saving as much money as possible. They contacted Dennis to get advice on what to do. Via video call Dennis helped them with step by step instructions to build the timber walls and fit plasterboard ready for a local plasterer to come and skim.
"We had no idea what we were doing to start with but Dennis took us though it with calm clear instructions. it was hard work but very rewarding and saved a fortune."
AskBuilderDennis
5 x 30 minute video calls @ £45 = £225
Craig & Lizzie Balcony
Craig and Lizzie found a company online who could supply their perfect balcony to extend out of their house to create a wonderful open space. However, the company did not offer a fitting service. They got quotes from local tradesman that ranged from £2500 to £3500. Lizzie contacted Dennis and agreed a partner partnership.
The main cost was labour, the large timber structure required 6 people to lift, hold and manoeuvre. Craig and Lizzie arranged family and friends to help for free. Dennis advised them on pre installation preparations, inc the installation of two foundation block. On the day of the installation Dennis came to site, advised and assisted with the installation. With lots of helpers the project was built in one day with Dennis ensuring the structure was secured correctly,
Craig and Lizzie said it was great to have everyone working together and give us a great sense of achievement and made the balcony a special place full of memories of the day we built it. But we would not of had the confidence to do it without Dennis and could of made costly mistake without his guidance.
Craig and Lizzie paid direcly to the company for the balcony
£400 for foundations
£200 lift hire
AskBuilderDennis
1 Hour consultaion £45
1 day onsite project partner £400
£1300 cheaper than lowest quote
Ambreen
Utility Room
Ambreen wanted a utility room. She had no building or diy skills and needed to use local tradesman. She was concerned that her lack of experience and knowledge would make it difficult for her to understand quotations and make decisions. She asked Dennis to look at her idea to build into her garage. Dennis assessed her idea and helped refine the details, advise on Building control and planning, assist with working drawings to achieve a project specification to show potential contractors. When she received quotations, Dennis assisted her in making a final decision on a contractor. Dennis was also there to advise on any problems or changes that occurred during the building stage.
Ambreen paid contractor directly with a fixed quotation
AskBuilderDennis
Project assessment, development and implementation
2 hour initial consultation
1 hour final assessment
Producing of Project specification
1 hour final decision meeting
1 hour final completion checks
Package price £480
Ambreen said having Dennis on my side giving me independent advice all the way though my project gave me so much confidence in my decisions, making the whole process less stressful.
Callum and Richard
House Refurbishment
Callum and Richard bought their first house together and decided to buy a run down property and carry out a full refurbishment. They had some DIY experience but needed a lot of help and guidance. Local builders quoted around £60,000 for a full job. They intended to do as much work themselves to keep the cost down. They contacted Dennis to help them understand the stages of the project, how to keep costs down, when to bring in tradesmen and advise them on what work they should do.
"It was great to have Dennis there to keep us right and stop us making mistakes. he gave us the confidence to do the work we were capable of carrying out and understand when we needed local tradesmen.
Totaly cost of project £35,000
AskBuilderDennis
Site visit followed by mulitible video call package £2000
John & Dorothy
Porch Roof
John and Dorothy had a porch roof that was leaking, John had a lot of DIY experience but had not carried out a flat roof replacement. Dennis was able to advise him and answer his questions, he was then happy to do the job by himself.
"A chat with Dennis gave me the confidence to take on the job myself and it was good to know if I had any problems I could easily get more help. "
AskBuilderDennis
30 min video call £45