If you’re considering a home renovation or any residential project work, you must get on with your builder if they are to help you achieve your desired vision.
In this post, we look at some tips and hints to make sure work on your project and property goes as smoothly as possible.
Builders at Work
Share your ideas
You know what you want in your head, and (hopefully) your builder will have the knowledge and experience to know what is achievable.
For plans to come together successfully, your vision must be communicated effectively and clearly with your chosen building firm – everyone needs to be on the same page!
Know the cost
It’s important to work with your contractor to find out all cost projections and to see and understand if these fit with your budgets.
Estimates should be provided at all stages to help you track and control all budget areas.
It’s recommended you leave the scope in your budget for contingencies, in case of emergencies, and even if further creativity occurs.
Plan for when things don’t quite go to plan
Often things don’t go to plan all of the time, and in these instances, it can often be quite difficult to avoid.
However, with regular communication with your builder and regular inspection of works, this risk can be reduced somewhat, and costly issues can be limited.
Unfortunately, within this remit, theft and vandalism are also things that are outside of your control.
To help with this issue, it is recommended that you install temporary fencing, fencing to act as additional security, obscure tools, and materials from plain site and deter opportunists.
Plastic fencing is the most popular for residential projects, lightweight, flexible, and offering a level of security without taking up too much space!
Security fencing of this nature can be hired for all site projects, residential and commercial.
With low costs, these fences offer a great all-round solution.
It’s important to note that security fencing can also help to protect builders at work. Keeping their work, equipment, material, etc. safe and above all, secure.
Make sure you have detailed plans.
The more detail, the better!
The more detail you can provide and offer, the easier it is for everyone to follow your ideas and vision. These plans also need to be followed and checked at regular stages, to ensure that everything is on track and being carried out as specified.
Understand who is responsible for what
An outline from the start everyone’s responsibilities during the project, outlining accountability and organisation – this is especially important if your builder opts to use sub-contractors for some elements of the work.
Seek permission
Make sure to check in with planning permission and building control and what will be required before your project can get started.
Your local council planning departments and building control will be able to help you further with this.
Make a snagging list.
A snagging list is a small list you can put together as work is being carried out and consists of all of the little bits and pieces that are needed for the work to be 100% complete.
Making a snagging list as you go, helps to give the builder time and an opportunity to complete all the snagging at the end of the project.
Things to consider:
Speak to your building company as soon as possible. Builders and good building firms will require notice before starting work; trust us, the more notice you can provide, the better.
Make sure to check out customer reviews, recommendations, testimonials on their website, etc.
Are you able to check out and view their past work? Either within the local area or pictures online?
Make sure to ask for a written quotation with a full breakdown of costs associated with the different elements of the work being carried out.
Ask what happens if extras or additional work needs to be carried out. How much will it cost? What are the timescales? Clarity is everything.
Ask for an agreed payment schedule. Are deposits required? At what stages will payments be required? Having this outlined from the start allows everyone to know where they stand, and it can potentially avoid disagreements further down the line.
You could also take this opportunity to see if your chosen building firm is endorsed by schemes such as Which? And Trusted Traders. As well as carry professional trade memberships, such as with the FMB (Federation of Master Builders).
Ultimately, you need to work with someone you can trust, someone who understands your vision and budget, and who has the expertise to deliver on this for you.
Communication is key – as is dealing with all problems effectively and efficiently.
Site Fencing offers a range of temporary fencing for hire. To find out more and how we can support your project, call 01274 833 396.
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