Questions on home improvement

[Nanali]

Hi there
I was wondering if anyone on nere has any recent experience with the approximate cost of home improvements.
My one room seem to have foundation issues - looks like the floor is sagging.
would it be better to completely rebuild the room and redo the floor or is there a cheaper option?
Also can anyone recommend a good builder, painter, tiler and plumber for general renovations - redo 2 bathrooms, removing of slate floors and probably redoing the screed. Also think we might need new ceilings. Is it better to buy the material myself and then just have someone do the work or should I get someone who does everything?
I still need to save up so was also wondering if I should get quotes now so I have an idea of what to save for, or if I should save and then get a quote and see if I have enough.
This is my first renovation project so not really sure where to start and who to use.

 

[HavocXphere]

"Foundation issues" isn't a "home improvement" project...thats structural engineering work & the cost can be all over the place.

 

[Nanali]

Yeah makes sense. But who do I get to look at it? Will a normal builder do or is there someone specific I need to get out?

 

[HavocXphere]

A builder builds whatever you tell them to build...they're generally not in a position to assess the structural integrity of an impaired building. A structural engineer will be the right person...but it'll cost a fortune.

Personally I'd get a structural engineering buddy to take a glance at it and give me an approximation of how good/bad things are. They're pretty sharp on eyeballing something & deciding right there whether its fk'd or not (just reluctant to share the verdict with outsiders). e.g. Was sitting in a restaurant the other day with an engineering chick...in the middle of her ceasars salad she mentions this restaurant is screwed. I'm ???. She's like "look up behind your right shoulder...key structural support has a Xcm crack...1cm beyond permitted tolerances & won't pass next inspection"...

Was tempted to take her to Medupi for next date...

 

[Nanali]

Lol wow that is hectic... we don't have any cracks in the walls or that we can see down the ground. Guess the only way to really know is to open it up and have someone look at it. That part of the house did get a lot of water before we bought it now that I think of it. (Didn't notice the slightly sagging floor at all unfortunately. When we did it was too late.) We put some gutters on and it already is much dryer when it rains. Thanks for your input. Will look into a structural engineer to look at it.