UK property investors have nowhere to quickly and reliably assess refurbishment costs and find verified contractors, leading to weeks of delays and financial risks
2026-01-03 05:28
1. Describe the problem:
I invest in UK property that requires refurbishment. The main pain point is the complete unpredictability of the process. It's impossible to quickly and accurately assess the budget: getting even approximate quotes from verified specialists (plumber, roofer, electrician) takes weeks of calls and correspondence. At the same time, there's a constant risk of encountering an unreliable, uninsured contractor, which threatens delays and massive cost overruns. The entire process of finding and organizing tradespeople to assess a property is an organizational nightmare.
2. How often does the problem occur?
I face this problem with every new property. It's not a one-off difficulty but a systemic barrier that slows down all my deals and increases risks.
3. What attempts have you made to solve the problem?
The only way now is manual calling based on recommendations and gathering reviews. This takes a disproportionate amount of time, and the result (the quality of specialists and the accuracy of their quotes) remains a lottery. There's no universal solution for investors on the market that covers the entire cycle — from getting an instant ballpark estimate to hiring a verified specialist.
4. How much are you willing to pay for the solution?
I see two models: a one-time free access for one-off buyers and a paid subscription for investors who refurbish multiple properties. I would definitely pay for a subscription if the service genuinely saved me weeks of time and reduced financial risks by providing access to verified, insured contractors with predictable pricing.
The author of this problem has indicated that they are ready to provide feedback to the developers and want to receive 1% equity in the startup that will build a ready-made solution. You can contact the author directly via the contacts above.