Your Questions, Answered Honestly
Most contractors dodge the tricky questions. I don't. Below you'll find straight answers to everything homeowners typically want to know before hiring a renovation contractor in London — costs, qualifications, insurance, timelines, and what happens if something goes wrong.
If your question isn't here, call me directly on 075 3404 0355 or send a message on WhatsApp. I'll give you an honest answer.
Getting Started & Getting a Quote
The quickest way is to call me on 075 3404 0355 or send me a WhatsApp message. Tell me what you're looking to have done — even a rough description helps. For larger or more complex jobs, I'll arrange a site visit so I can see the space properly before putting a figure together. There's no charge for the visit and no obligation to proceed.
No. Quotes are free, and so is the site visit where one is needed. I won't waste your time and I'm not going to charge you for a conversation.
It depends on my current schedule. I typically book a few weeks in advance for larger renovation projects, and I'd rather tell you that upfront than keep you waiting without warning. Call or message me to find out my next available dates — I'll give you an honest answer rather than a vague "we'll be in touch."
Yes. I'm based in Stratford, East London, and I cover every London borough. I've worked across the city for over 20 years — from Neasden to Bow, Elephant & Castle to Waltham Forest. If you're in London, I can get to you.
Most things. Plastering and wall restoration, painting and decorating, plumbing, tiling and flooring, carpentry and joinery, kitchen and bathroom fitting, roofing and external works, and full property refurbishments. If you're not sure whether your job falls within what I do, just ask. The multi-trade approach is the whole point — one contractor for the whole job, rather than six different people to coordinate.
Pricing & Payment
It depends on the scope, the condition of the property, and the specification of materials and finishes you choose. To give you a sense of scale: a full room re-plaster typically falls between £600 and £1,200. A mid-range bathroom renovation usually runs from £9,000 to £14,000, while a premium bathroom can be £14,000 to £25,000 or more depending on specification. Kitchen installations typically range from £10,000 to £15,000 for a mid-range project. A full interior repaint on a three-bedroom house sits between £2,500 and £4,500. Every project is different, and these figures are indicative — the only way to get an accurate price is for me to visit, assess the work, and provide a detailed written quote with options at different specification levels. What I can promise is that you'll know the full cost before I pick up a tool.
I price on a fixed project basis. Once I've visited your property and assessed what's needed, you'll receive a detailed written quote as a professional PDF document — not a rough figure scribbled on the back of an envelope. That quote includes options at different specification levels, so you can choose the approach that fits your budget and your vision for the space. You'll know exactly what you're paying before any work starts, and the price reflects the scope and quality of the finished result — not the number of days it takes. I don't inflate quotes to negotiate downwards. The figure I give you is fair, and it's final unless you decide to change the scope.
Yes — for most projects, I ask for a deposit to secure your start date and cover initial materials. Payments are then structured around project milestones, agreed upfront and set out clearly in your written quote. For example, on a bathroom renovation you might pay a deposit on agreement, a second payment once the first fix is complete, and the final balance at practical completion. This approach means you're never paying significantly ahead of the work, and I'm never chasing payment after the event. The exact schedule depends on the size and duration of the project, and it's all agreed in writing before we start.
Bank transfer is the primary payment method. Each milestone payment is invoiced clearly with my business details, and I'll confirm receipt promptly. If you have a preference for a different method, mention it when we discuss the project and I'll accommodate where I can.
Yes — always. After visiting your property, you'll receive a detailed written quote as a professional PDF document. It sets out exactly what's included, the materials specified, the agreed timeline, and the cost. For most projects, the quote includes options at different specification levels — an Essential option, a Recommended option, and a Premium option — so you can choose the approach that best fits your budget and vision. If the scope changes during the project (which sometimes happens, particularly with older properties), I'll discuss the impact on cost with you and agree any changes in writing before proceeding.
No — and here's why. My quotes are based on the actual scope of your project, the materials specified, and over 20 years of experience knowing what work like yours genuinely costs to deliver well. I don't build in a margin for negotiation, and I don't inflate the price expecting to be talked down. If the quote is more than you want to spend, we can discuss adjusting the specification or the scope — I'll always help you find an approach that works within your budget. But the price for a given scope of work reflects the cost of doing it properly. I'd rather be upfront about that than play games.
The Work Itself
For the vast majority of trades — plastering, plumbing, tiling, painting, carpentry, flooring, kitchen and bathroom fitting, roofing — I do the work myself. I'm formally qualified and experienced across all of them. For electrical work, I work exclusively with a trusted, qualified electrician I've partnered with for many years. You deal with me, I coordinate everything, and the standard of the result is my responsibility throughout. There are no strangers turning up unannounced, and there's no finger-pointing between trades if something needs sorting.
Plastering and skimming, painting and decorating, plumbing, tiling (wall and floor), laminate and vinyl flooring, carpentry and joinery, kitchen fitting, bathroom installation, roofing and external works, brickwork, rendering, and general renovation and refurbishment. I hold NVQ qualifications in Plumbing, Carpentry, and Painting & Decorating, as well as CIS Construction Level 1–3.
Yes — that's where the multi-trade approach really comes into its own. Rather than hiring separate contractors for plastering, plumbing, tiling, and decorating, I handle the whole job as a coordinated process. That means better communication, fewer gaps between trades, and a finished result that holds together. It also means you only need to deal with one person throughout.
Either works, depending on what suits you. I can source and supply materials directly, which saves you the back-and-forth — particularly useful for things like plumbing fittings, plaster, or adhesives where trade knowledge makes a difference. For fixtures and fittings like tiles, kitchen units, or bathroom suites, some clients prefer to choose their own and supply them; others prefer me to source options within a budget. We'll agree the approach before work starts.
It depends on the scope. A single-room plaster skim typically takes one to two days. A bathroom renovation might be five to seven days. A kitchen fit-out can be two to three weeks. A full property refurbishment could take four to eight weeks depending on the size and condition of the property. I'll give you a realistic timeframe as part of the quote — not an optimistic figure designed to get the job, but an honest one based on what's actually involved.
Quality, Standards & Peace of Mind
Yes. I carry public liability insurance. If you'd like to see the certificate before work starts, just ask.
I hold NVQ Level 1 and 2 in Plumbing, NVQ Level 1 and 2 in Carpentry, NVQ Level 1 and 2 in Painting & Decorating, and CIS Construction Level 1–3. I've been working across London as a multi-trade renovation contractor for over 20 years, including public sector maintenance contracts with Ealing Council and Axis for London. The qualifications back up the experience, and the experience is what actually counts on site.
I'd want to know about it, and I'd want to fix it. My reputation is built entirely on word of mouth — I've never needed to advertise because satisfied customers refer me to their friends and neighbours. That wouldn't last long if I walked away from problems. If there's something that's not right, tell me. I'll come back and sort it.
That's the right question to ask. The honest answer is: you're trusting the person, not just the paperwork. I've been a renovation contractor in London for over 20 years. My qualifications are documented. I work alone, which means I'm accountable for the quality of everything that gets done. And the fact that my business has run entirely on recommendation — with no advertising — speaks to the standard I hold myself to. I'd encourage you to talk to me before committing. If what I say doesn't give you confidence, I'm probably not the right fit for your job, and I'd rather tell you that than take it on anyway.
Yes. The site is left clean and clear at the end of each working day, and once the job is finished, everything is cleared and the area is left as tidy as possible. Renovation work is inherently messy — there's no avoiding some disruption during the job — but I take the clean-up seriously. It's part of the work, not an afterthought.
Practical & Logistical Questions
Not necessarily. For a first day or the start of a new phase of work, it's useful to run through what's planned and confirm access. After that, many clients go about their normal routine. We'll discuss what works best for you before the job starts, including how keys or access will be handled if you're not home. If you're not comfortable giving access to an empty property, that's completely reasonable — we'll find an arrangement that works.
Some of it will be, yes. Plastering, carpentry, and tiling all involve cutting, mixing, and drilling at various points. I work standard hours — roughly 8am to 5pm on weekdays — and I'll flag anything unusually disruptive in advance so you're not caught off guard. If you have particular constraints (young children napping, a home office, a neighbour situation), let me know early and I'll work around them where possible.
All of London. I'm based in Stratford, East London, and I've spent my career working across the whole city — Neasden, Bow, Elephant & Castle, Plaistow, and well beyond. Whether you're in East London, North, South, or West, I can take on your job. There's no extra charge for travel within Greater London.
My standard working hours are roughly 8am to 5pm on weekdays. For weekend availability, please give me a call to discuss — it depends on the project and my current schedule.
The best way is to call me directly on 075 3404 0355. If I'm on site and can't pick up, leave a message or send a WhatsApp message and I'll come back to you. I prefer a phone conversation for most enquiries — it's much quicker than going back and forth over email, and it gives me a better sense of what you need so I can give you a useful response straight away.
Still Have a Question?
Still have a question that isn't covered here? The easiest thing to do is give me a call. I'd rather spend five minutes on the phone getting you the right answer than have you make a decision without the information you need.
Call Bertie: 075 3404 0355
Or send a message on WhatsApp — I'll get back to you.
Bertie answers his phone — no call centres, no waiting.