Job Description

Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled individual with a strong background in property renovation and conversion, specifically focusing on bringing residential properties up to House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) standards. The ideal candidate is a proactive 'handyman type person' capable of managing and executing diverse structural, fire safety, joinery, and finishing tasks as outlined in detailed Scope of Works (SOW) documents. This role is critical in ensuring properties achieve full compliance with UK building regulations and the required standards prior to occupation.

Responsibilities:

The Specialist will be responsible for executing renovation tasks across multiple trades, ensuring strict adherence to HMO conversion guidelines, including, but not limited to:

1. Fire Safety and Structural Conversion

Partitioning: Constructing new internal walls, typically using fire-rated stud walls, to split existing rooms (e.g., converting a lounge/dining room into a bedroom or creating corridors) and ensure new bedrooms meet the minimum size requirement of *6.51 sqm or more.

Fire Door Installation: Fitting or replacing internal doors that lead to the internal protected escape route with FD30 fire-resisting door sets.
Installing doors with intumescent strips and cold smoke seals.
Fitting overhead door closers (self-closing devices) to fire doors; Perco type, spring hinges, and rising butts are not acceptable.
Escape Routes: Ensuring a 30-minute protected route and installing fire boarding underneath staircases and cellars.
Fire Stopping: Fully sealing/fire stopping all cables, pipes, and ducting passing through walls, ceilings, and floors using intumescent foam (cut back) and sealant to prevent smoke passage and ensure sufficient fire protection.
Security Locks: Installing thumb-turn locks (e.g., Euro thumb turn or Yale rollerbolts) on all bedroom doors, allowing emergency exit without a key.
Detection Systems: Assisting certified trades in the installation of the interlinked fire detection system, including mains-powered smoke detectors in bedrooms, hallways, and landings, and heat detectors in kitchens (Grade D: LD2 Detection System).

2. Electrical, Heating, and Ventilation

Socket Installation: Installing the required minimum of two double switched sockets per bedroom, often including one *USB socket and one placed beside the bed.

Communal Electrics: Installing a minimum of three double switched sockets above kitchen work surfaces, along with dedicated power outlets for appliances like washing machines and fridge/freezers.
Lighting: Fitting low energy bulbs throughout the property. Installing enclosed light fittings in bathrooms and ensuring recessed lighting is fire-rated.
Ventilation: Installing or replacing mechanical extractor fans in kitchens, bathrooms, and WCs, ensuring they include a 20-minute overrun device.
Heating: Fitting TRVs to all radiators. Removing old gas/electric fires and ensuring the flue is made good and ventilated.

3. Joinery, Plumbing, and Finishing

Window Compliance: Replacing failed glazing units and fitting double glazing. Installing *window restriction devices on upper floor windows that limit the opening to 100mm but can be overridden for emergency escape.

Plasterwork and Decoration: Filling any minor cracks or holes within plasterwork. Completing redecoration throughout the property, often requiring repainting the total house with white color (walls, ceilings, and woodwork).
Flooring: Laying appropriate new floor coverings: typically carpet for bedrooms and hallways, and easy-to-clean, hygienic, moisture-resistant flooring (e.g., vinyl/tiles) in kitchens and bathrooms, ensuring they are sealed at the edges.
Bathroom/Kitchen Wet Areas: Ensuring wet areas are watertight, including applying watertight splashbacks (e.g., 1800mm above the bath/shower or 450mm above the basin).

4. Coordination and Documentation

Working alongside specialist contractors (e.g., Gas Safe engineers, certified electricians) and coordinating construction activities.
Understanding and implementing the requirements of the SOW, ensuring conversion adheres to the Serco standards, which may exceed Local Authority requirements.
Ensuring the site is prepared for final inspection and is left clear, clean, and free from debris/waste.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Proven experience in residential renovation, with specific knowledge of conversion work.
Demonstrable understanding of HMO property standards, particularly concerning fire safety, protected routes, room sizes, and amenity provision ratios.
Ability to perform carpentry, joinery, minor plumbing, plastering, and decorating tasks to a professional standard.
Proficiency in reading and interpreting floor plans, architectural drawings, and detailed Scope of Work documents.
Commitment to quality and ensuring all work supports the completion and signing of necessary compliance certificates (e.g., Gas Safety Certificate, Electrical Installation Condition Report/Certificate, Fire Door Certification).
Excellent time management and coordination skills to liaise effectively with the Serco representative, Building Control, and other regulatory bodies.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From 15,000.00 per year

Benefits:

UK visa sponsorship
Work Location: In person