An estimate is a best guess of how much a job might cost, and is likely to end up being much higher than initially suggested as a project goes on. At Cohesive Construction we understand that building works can be costly and stressful, which is why we give quotes, not estimates. Quoting is a significantly more reliable way to price work because once a quote is accepted the price of the work is not going to change unless something is discovered during works that will take extra time and resources to fix (such as finding fungus or asbestos) or a customer makes a change to their plan (such as choosing a different style of shower than originally priced). Our quotes are also itemised so you can see exactly what you’re paying for.

A typical bathroom renovation take anywhere between 2-4 weeks, a kitchen 4-8 weeks, a loft conversion 6-12 weeks and a full house renovation 6-12 months

Due to working in the domestic market, and our ‘from our family to yours’ ethos, we know you would like to relax and wind down in the evening when you finish work and not have to host lots of people making noise in your home. This is why our tradesmen work from 8am-4pm Monday to Friday; leaving plenty of time for you to enjoy dinner and the evening activities you love.

Yes! We want you to have as much input as possible over the pieces that will be fitted in your home. We can recommend great places to look for high-quality, cost-friendly products. If you are looking to re-use items, it can be a great way to keep your project budget friendly and eco-friendly. We are happy to re-use items if they are in a good condition. Some items customers have re-used in the past have included towel radiators, baths, vanities and sinks. It is worth noting that although we take every care to look after your items, accidents do happen and there is a risk of damage when moving items around.

Yes, while you have an ongoing project some building equipment will be left on site. However, we do tidy up everyday when we leave so there is as little interruption to your living space as possible.

The cost of any renovation depends a multitude of factors. Examples of some of these factors include the style of items being installed (are they basic or luxurious), mid-project design changes and how much of the infrastructure is changing. Each project is different and will have its own specifications.

There are a few stages to renovation work, the first of which is the strip-out or removal of the existing work. Following this is what is referred to in the UK as first fix and second fix. First fix refers to all the work done to take a project from foundation to plastering the walls. This can involve improving the structure of a space, adding or removing walls and re-routing plumbing and electrics amongst other things. Second fix is when all the visible fittings and products are installed, such as bathroom furniture, sinks, cabinets, new lights and many other things. Painting and decorating is the final stage and many customers choose to take this on themselves.​

Making changes to anything that involves a large amount of coordination and planning, such a building works, can cost a huge amount of time, money and strain depending on what the change is. It is a good idea to be sure about exactly what you want done before works begin to keep costs down and finish your project within the planned window. What can seem like a small change from the customer’s point of view could end up setting a project back by months for reasons such as the new product not being available, tradesmen having to move on to other work and becoming unavailable, or a new project plan needing to be made altogether if a sink is now being added where there wasn’t going to be one originally.

It is normal to pay a deposit before many types of building works so your building company or tradesman can buy the supplies needed to begin the work. The amount of deposit we ask for at Cohesive Construction is based on the cost of the items we need to order for you. Including any bespoke items such as a door or staircase. Additionally, we never ask for a hefty deposit, we just ask for enough to cover initial material costs.

Working to a budget is a great idea; it helps ensure clear expectations are set and a realistic plan of action is made for your project. It is a good idea to factor in a 10% allowance in your budget to address any unexpected extra works that may come up. To help you further, at Cohesive Construction we don’t estimate the cost of your project - we quote. This means that the price you accept when booking in your works won’t change as the project evolves unless there are unexpected encounters, such as asbestos. It is our passion at Cohesive Construction to see your vision realised, but not have to break the bank in doing so.

Our Managing Director, Jon, oversees all our projects. We also have an Assistant Contracts Manager, Hannah, who will be another key point of contact for you throughout your project. Both Jon and Hannah are happy to accommodate a call or visit to answer any of your questions and to give you peace of mind. We additionally have an emergency contact number which will reach us outside of office hours if you have an emergency related to your project. ​ ​ Further to this, we also have great office support who can answer emails, texts and calls and who are very knowledgeable.

Whether you need an architect or structural engineer for your project depends on the work being done. If you are planning on knocking through a wall to make two rooms into one, or changing anything about the structure of your house then you might need a structural engineer to check it is safe to do so; the last thing you want to do is improperly remove a supporting wall. If you’re significantly changing the design of your house then it is often a good idea to involve an architect, as they will be able to produce the technical drawings. If your project will requite planning approval or listed building consent, an architect will likely be required.

Additional to the measures you can take to protect your home during renovations, such as tidying well and moving breakable items to a safe location, we will take measures to ensure your home is as well looked after as possible during your project. These measures can include covering your flooring with a plastic protector, installing a temporary door for security if your old one is being replaced, or waterproof covering on areas left exposed during works like loft renovations or extensions.

For a bathroom renovation we do require you to clean before works start. We care about the health of our tradesmen and the conditions they have to work in and due to the nature of bathrooms they are, unfortunately, often highly unhygienic places to work. It is also a good idea to clean as best you can before renovation starts to get ahead of the dust and debris that comes with building works. Having a tidy home will also reduce health and safety risks, such as tripping hazards, for you and our tradesmen.

If your only toilet in the home is being renovated, we will organise for it to be left in working order for as long as possible in the renovation timetable. Alternatively, we can supply a Porter loo for the duration of the works at a small additional cost.

Yes. If we need to turn off the water or electrics in your home we will let you know ahead of time, and we will always make sure the water and electrics are on as normal when our tradesmen leave at the end of the day.