Building is a life-event and can cause a lot of stress. Usually you start out in good spirits, but as the weeks or months go by you often notice that you become less flexible. Fatigue, living in the mess, setbacks, it’s all part of the job. With these seven tips you will make sure that you are well prepared and that you can last a lot longer.
Gather the right professionals
If you – like us – coordinate your renovation yourself, it is important that you assemble a team of good people. Choose professionals with expertise and a healthy dose of enthusiasm. Remember that the professionals you choose will visit you for weeks or even months. Doesn’t it feel good? Don’t!
Don’t do everything yourself
Unless, of course, you’re a contractor yourself. Doing a lot yourself can be cost effective, but it can also work against you. Make choices, then you’ll be able to keep going for longer.
Provide a cost overview
Cause really, if you’re gonna rebuild, the money’s gonna fly out of your wallet. A tube here, plasterboard there, new window frame, piece of glass and the labour costs, let’s not forget that. During the renovation you always run into unforeseen costs. Calculate these. Make sure you have a clear financial planning in advance with expected costs and keep track of your progress. Add new invoices and receipts immediately.
Work with deadlines
Planning a renovation is not easy, the construction is going through golden times. Craftsmen fly from one place to another, perish in their work and do small jobs often ‘just in between’. But if the contractor doesn’t come close to a wall, the plasterer also has to be moved one week.
Ensure that permits are issued in good time
You can check online whether you need a permit for the work on your home. If you do not check before, you risk delaying your work later and even a possible fine.
Be involved and give space
Check the work of the craftsmen and keep to the agreements made. Keep a close eye on the progress, so that you can intervene in time when necessary. Communicate clearly and be honest. At the same time, make sure you don’t get in the way of people and keep the workplace as tidy as possible.
Stop cleaning
Yeah, really. There’s no point in having to take the vacuum cleaner out of the meter cupboard every day. Behind your back the same corridor is swirling down again. The renovation in progress will make a mess so save your time and do not clean while the work is still in progress.
