8 Ways to Make Your Home Improvement Project Go Smoothly
David Clayton posted on 11th April 2022
If the impact of the pandemic has got your craving more space, or you’re looking to add value to your home by carrying out renovations, you’re probably checking out local building firms and gearing up to a fair bit of disruption.
For anyone looking to extend their property, the Guardian has advice for completing your project without too much stress to you – and your neighbours. Here are eight things you should factor in to your renovations to help things go smoothly.
1. Know the rules about party walls. If your work will involve shared walls, you may need to give your neighbours notice under the Party Wall Act. Get clued up about party walls in advance by reading the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors party wall consumer guide.
2. Communicate with you neighbours. Give them notice about what you’re doing and how it will affect them – if there’ll be a skip or deliveries blocking the road, or when the work might be noisy, for example. Remember to thank them when the work is done.
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3. Once you’ve decided on a builder, you’ll need to sign a contract and pay a deposit. Make sure it is protected in an insurance scheme in case they go out of business.
4. Communication is also key to getting on with your builder. Have a designated main contact to field all queries to avoid confusion. Be as available as possible by phone or email and try make time for face-to-face chats.
5. Choose the supplies you need in good time; lead times can be long and having everything ready will make sure your builders can get on with the job.
6. Make decisions carefully before you start, being indecisive could ruin your project. Do plenty of research and take advice from your builder about making your ideas a reality.
7. Put your builder’s queries and requests down in writing so you don’t forget anything crucial.
8. They may not want it but offers of tea and coffee, and even the odd pizza, are helpful for builders needing to refuel.
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David Clayton
Claytons blog was created to give light hearted but hopefully useful property related thoughts and advice.
David started his career at former family firm, Weller Hill Hubble aged 17. The company was later purchased by General Accident property services and David went on to become their youngest ever manager and Area Director. However, disenchanted with corporate life he decided to return to his old roots and start a personal, service driven Estate agency. In 1991 Claytons was born and has grown into one of Watfords most well known and successful businesses. Outside of work David , who still lives locally is married with 3 children and a cockapoo called Teddy.
