Is your home undergoing a renovation project and you’re planning on getting the builders in? Well, congratulations; we commend you on your bravery!
You’ve sought the expertise of lawyers, land surveyors and architects, and your local planning authority have given your plans the all clear. Now, the real work begins. Exciting (and stressful) times await, with much of your house out of action, dust everywhere, and a fair amount of social awkwardness about toilet use par for the course.
If you’re new to all of this, then perhaps some pointers will help; here’s how to survive having the builders in.
Give Them A Spare Key
First things first, one of the most troublesome aspects of having a team of builders working on your property is having to stay home to ensure you’re on hand to let them in. The solution is simple; release yourself from this tyranny and give them a key. Or, leave a spare key in a combination key box for the team and give them the code. Just don’t leave it under the doormat or under a flowerpot – that only leads to trouble.
Wondering if you’re covered should anything get stolen? Well, first of all, if you can’t trust your builder with a spare set of keys, then you definitely shouldn’t be trusting them to work on your house. Have some faith!
That said, the Telegraph suggests that “if you’re planning to have the builders at your home whilst you are away or at work, we would strongly recommend contacting your insurer and notifying them.”
Wise words, indeed.
Be Aware Of Common Builder Bugbears
You may find having the builders in a trial, but the builders may find you irritating, too. According to Simply Business, these are the top bugbears of tradespeople:
- Calling them ‘mate’ while putting on a ‘working class’ accent that isn’t real– believe it or not they can tell how well off you are because you’ve hired them to work on your house – duh.
- Standing over them while they work – it doesn’t get the job done quicker and just makes them feel very nervous.
- Assuming that they all like football – and pretending that you like it too.
- Assuming they all want a bacon sarnie and a tea with three sugars – offering food is a kind gesture, but not all builders are meat eaters that drink a builder’s brew! Ask them first.
- Don’t be annoyed with them taking a break around 11 am – they’ve been working hard since 7am.
- If you don’t understand what they’re doing or telling you – just ask – don’t just pretend and nod along.
A list that’s all too familiar, don’t you think? To keep things harmonious, bear the above in mind and just be normal.
Read: 7 key steps in the kitchen renovation process
Alternative Cooking Arrangements
If your kitchen is getting a makeover, then it’s important that you create an alternative, temporary kitchen – your belly will thank you for it as the novelty of eating out at restaurants or getting takeaways soon wears thin.
Consider relocating appliances to this temporary kitchen, including but not limited to; a toaster oven, microwave, rice cooker, slow cooker, kettle, blender and even a portable electric hob.
It’s also a good idea to prep home cooked meals in advance and fill your freezer with them. Then, you simply need to reheat these meals in your microwave or toaster oven. Beats a ready meal, don’t you think?
Read: 5 easy, delicious meals you can make from your store cupboard and freezer
Consider Your Garden Landscape, Too
While your focus might be on the interior renovations, don’t overlook your garden during the building process. Construction work can take its toll on your outdoor space, with heavy foot traffic, materials storage, and occasional spillages potentially damaging your carefully tended lawn and plants.
If your renovation includes any garden elements, explore modern solutions that minimise disruption and maximise longevity. As the team at modularcubed.co.uk tell us, precast materials have dramatically improved the performance and adaptability of landscape support systems in recent years. High-strength concrete and fibre-reinforced composites have raised load-bearing capacity and durability, making them perfect for everything from retaining walls to decorative garden features. These ready-made elements can significantly reduce installation time and mess compared to traditional building methods—a welcome relief when you’re already dealing with interior chaos!
Consider designating specific areas where builders can store materials to minimise damage to your garden, and discuss any concerns about your outdoor space before work begins.
Create A Dedicated Communications Channel
Effective communication is paramount when you’ve got builders in. Establish a dedicated channel—be it a WhatsApp group, shared document, or regular email updates—to keep track of decisions, changes, and progress.
This approach ensures everyone stays informed without endless phone calls or having to track down the project manager on-site. It also creates a clear record of all discussions and agreements, which can be invaluable if there are any misunderstandings later on.
Set clear expectations about response times and emergency protocols, but resist the urge to message constantly. A morning check-in and evening wrap-up is often sufficient, allowing the builders to crack on with their work without constant interruptions. Remember, excessive communication can be just as problematic as too little!
Take Up A New Hobby
If you do find yourself having to spend more time outside of the house because of all the renovation work, why not turn the imposition into an opportunity? Make the most of this valuable, chore-free time and take up a new hobby or interest that keeps you active, inspired and out of the house.
As well as getting you out of the house, a new hobby can lower any stress you may be feeling due to the renovation work. Research has shown that spending time on an activity that you enjoy helps to lower stress levels and can even alleviate the symptoms of depression and low mood.
Sort Out The Rubbish
If it’s a large-scale home improvement you’re talking about, there’s a good chance that there’ll be a decent amount of general waste and mess needing to be removed from your house regularly.
With the process of refurbishment being stressful enough as it is, you don’t want to have a whole heap of rubbish strewn about your house to deal with when the work is finally done. If you’re expecting a large amount of refuse, it might be in your best interest to hire skip to help store it in until a later date. If you don;t dispose of your waste properly, you may well fall foul of the law. Or, at the very least, make enemies of your neighbours…
Dust Sheets Are Your Friends
When the builders are in, things can get messy and dust seems to accumulate just about everywhere. Remember that plastic sheets can save you a whole lot of hassle, so cover your furniture and floors in them liberally. You don’t want dust or paint irrevocably damaging your stuff, so be rigorous with this step.
You should also use blue tape to secure the plastic to surfaces and prevent any infiltration. While you’re at it, ensure that the dust and the dirt of renovation don’t impact on your electronics; have them covered with plastic and blue painter’s tape.
The Bottom Line
Let’s face it; domestic renovation projects can be stressful work, and this sense of chaos can only be heightened by the daily presence of builders in your house. Make things as comfortable as possible for them, and you’ll make things as comfortable as possible for yourself, too. Good luck!
