So, you’ve planned your renovation or home improvement, found your tradesperson and the job is scheduled to start.
To help you prepare for home improvement work, and make sure things go as smoothly as possible, here are the best ways to get ready for the arrival of your tradesperson (or tradespeople!). From a bathroom or boiler installation to something bigger like a cellar conversion, we’ll also suggest the best ways to manage your home once the work is under way.
Let them know where to park
You could be hiring a plumber, gardener or a number of builders… They’ll all have one thing in common – they’ll need to know where to park! Arrange a nearby space for them and let them know where it is. It could be the parking spot outside your house or in your neighbour’s driveway. Just make sure that you have permission to secure the space and that using it won’t block anyone in. If your tradesperson is parked nearby, it will save you, and them, time and money. Plus, you’ll avoid the hassle of moving equipment and materials all over your neighbourhood.
Research (and order) products or materials you’ll need
Do you need a new boiler? Or is it a new paint colour? Whatever you’re after, do some research to find out what your options are. Examples include finding out the most efficient type of boiler and unique ways to use bold paint colours. Tradespeople can recommend and supply products for you, but if you don’t know what’s available then you may miss out on the best option. If you’re supplying materials for the job, order them to arrive (at least) a few days before the job begins. That way, you can avoid the hassle of rescheduling the job’s start date if there are delivery delays.
Let the neighbours know if your job will be disruptive
If your house renovation will be long, noisy or messy – keep your neighbours up to date with the schedule. If you have difficult neighbours, give them your mobile so they can contact you directly about an issue, rather than hassle your tradespeople. The job will go a lot smoother if everyone is kept happy! If you’re planning an extension or landscaping job in your garden, you could speak to your neighbour(s) to see if they want something similar. It can make the process more harmonious if you both choose to have home improvements done at the same time. Plus, you may be able to share costs of materials.
Make sure pets and children are out the way
When you’ve got tradespeople in, there will be a lot of mess and potentially dangerous tools or hazards around. For everyone’s peace of mind, make sure the area is clear of roaming pets or children. Install temporary baby gates if necessary, or think about leaving pets with friends or family. For large-scale renovations – are you prepared to live in a house that’s under construction? If the work is being completed in stages, for example a kitchen and flooring refit downstairs followed by floor fitting upstairs, make a plan for living in the space you have available and be realistic. Is there space for the family to do the basics like washing and cooking? If you think it will be too overwhelming, think about hiring a caravan to live in temporarily. Or, you could consider staying at a family or friend’s house.
Clear out the space that’s being worked on
To prepare for home improvement work such as bathroom and kitchen fittings or building and decorating work, you’ll need to make sure the room is completely clear. Remove furniture, or at least remove the contents from furniture (and cover with dust or polythene sheets) so things are easy to pick up and move around. Building, painting and decorating work produces a lot of dust and mess too. So, it’s best to remove curtains and blinds, wall decorations and furniture to avoid damage and extra cleaning after the job is finished. If you’re having your floor refitted, remove old flooring and have carpet grippers ready if they’re not part of the quote. For garden work, clear plant pots, ornaments and garden furniture.
Get a spare key cut and organise the basics
For large-scale projects where you’re not living in (or even if you are, but you’ll be keeping a different schedule to your tradespeople) make life easy for you and them. If they have their own key, they can open and lock up on the pre-agreed working hours. Also, identify a space they can use for coffee and lunch breaks. They’ll need running water, a kettle and a fridge, so that they can make everything on-site and save time walking or driving to a shop. Let your tradespeople know which toilet they can use, or if necessary, order in a portaloo.
Clear up each day
When you’re living with builders it makes life easier to stay on top of rubbish and waste. Use an old vacuum cleaner to clear up dust and debris from the day. It’ll make clearing up at the end of the job quicker and make living in the space nicer. Ask your tradesperson to put the waste or recycling in a designated spot, so it’s removed on collection day.
It’s also a great way to prepare for the next day’s home improvement work.
Communicate with each other
Make time for a quick chat at the beginning and end of each day, so everyone knows what the status of the job is. It’s also an opportunity for you or the tradesperson to ask or answer any questions. If you’re not available and your tradesperson is unsure how to progress with a job because something hasn’t been confirmed, there could be delays. Let them know the best time to call or give them a time you will be on site each day. Pre-agree on things such as working hours, breaks, waste disposal and where materials for the job should be stored and locked up.
Find out how to have work done safely in your home during the coronavirus pandemic on our Homeowner Advice Centre.