The Renovation Process
So you have done your homework, planned every detail and construction is starting! So what now? You take off your gloves and wait until it’s over? If you have chosen to DIY or go owner builder - get ready for one of the busiest and unfortunately one of the most stressful times of life! There will be plenty to do so get ready. If you have decided to go with a builder, there still will be decisions to make and actions to take, but with a builder taking care of the day to day operations, it will be much less stressful on you. There is, though, a few things that you can do to keep the process as smooth as it can be.
- The Neighbours
Don’t forget the neighbours. Many people will just start construction regardless, but it is nice to let your neighbours know that you will be doing some work on your property, especially if it is a substantial renovation. This way they know that there will be some extra noise, a few more cars in the street and different tradespeople on your property.
Try and keep an eye on vehicles to make sure they aren’t parked in the way of general traffic that moves through your street - and definitely aren’t parked on your neighbour’s lawn!
If any neighbours complain - it pays to tend to them asap (as long as they are reasonable), so it doesn’t get out of hand and then they start to complain to council, as once the council gets involved it turns ugly quickly. Most things can be sorted out with a friendly chat before it becomes real trouble. Council come on site - see something not quite right, shuts down construction - those kind of things can cause big delays. So be courteous and things should fall into line.
- The Builder
If you have chosen a builder, it is very likely (especially with Smith & Sons) that you will have built up quite a good relationship with the builder. To keep the relationship that way, if part of the renovation is looking not quite like you wanted it to, tell the builder straight away. Don’t wait until something is half built before you mention something. Have a chat, work out a solution them let them get to it and do it the way you want. Don’t let things you don’t like fester and not get done the way you want - remember you have to live in the house when it is done!
It pays to keep in touch with the builder at least on a weekly basis (depending on the size of the job) just so you can be informed with how progress is happening and if there is anything that you need to know about. You don’t however need to be calling the builder every five minutes as this will tick him off pretty quickly! If you trust the builder, you need to trust they will contact you if there is anything urgent that requires your attention.
And a few cups of tea for the builder wouldn’t go astray either!
- Document any Changes Correctly
The very nature of building and construction often leads to changes, (most commonly called ‘variations’) so when a change is needed in your renovation, make sure your builder has a correct procedure for changes - so that dis-agreements over changes aren’t encountered at the end of the project. There should be a form to fill out to note what variations were requested, signed by both yourself and the builder. This is then a clear record of the extra work which was required and cannot be disputed later.
If you find yourself on site and need a change, and he doesn’t have forms handy - use anything - a piece of plaster or whatever - just so long as both you and the builder both sign and have agreed to the change. It would then be prudent to call the builder that night or the next day just to make sure it has all been processed and confirmed.
- Be Organised
Need to let the tradespeople in? Organising a delivery yourself to the worksite? Meeting the builder on-site to discuss changes? If any part of the renovation is up to you - be organised. You may be doing not much at all for your renovations, or you may be doing quite a bit, but at whatever level you are involved, make sure it is done right and in the correct timeframe. When things are not done as planned by you - you are only wasting the builders time and in essence wasting your own money.
Make sure you do what you say you will, and have anything on site you have organised on time. On this subject - when items arrive - check they are in one piece and importantly the right colour! If you need to sign or deliver paperwork - get it done quickly. Clear out rooms of the house the renovations are taking place in and think about access for the builder internally and externally. The builder is doing his best for you - so don’t hold him up and your whole renovation!
- Cleaning
Throughout your renovation, there will unfortunately be mess - and lots of it. Without getting in the trades people’s way and without disturbing their work, it is a good practice to give the area a good vacuum and sweep after each day’s work, just to keep the place in order. A good builder will ensure tradespeople clean up most of their mess, but it doesn’t hurt to give the place another going over to avoid a gradual accumulation of dust! Carpets too can hold lots of dust so it is much better to go over it each day to get as much as possible out.
If trades people are working room by room - remember to cover up (if not removing) beds, couches, bookshelfs, tv’s and the like. Bookshelf can hold a lot of dust (especially plaster dust) and for years every time you open a book from that bookshelf you get a face full of plaster dust! Electronics too can be very sensitive to dust so make sure they are covered.
Also, don’t forget curtains, drapes and blinds. Most trades people won’t think to clean these so a good dust or wipe down is a good idea there too
- Safety
With trades people working, cars and trucks coming and going, dangerous tools being used, noise, building materials lying around and more, safety on the worksite is paramount - especially if you are living on site when the renovation is being carried out. Much of the safety aspect should be taken care of by the builders if the abide by current workplace health and safety regulations, but you also should do your part to make sure you and your family remain safe.
For starters, keep kids and pets out of any area where work is happening. Their curiosity can often get the better of them and end up in trouble. Also, they will definitely get in the way of trades people. Make them aware that it is now a building site, so they have to be extra careful in everything they do. With that in mind, ensure all your friend who come to have a look abide by the same rules! If anyone is coming through the house - check that everything around them is secure and there is nothing they could trip on.
- Access
At all times, keep the driveway and access clear for the builders and trades people. The nature of the building game is that there will be people coming and going, deliveries need to be made, trades people have to nip to the hardware store, and of course to get a pie and coke at lunch! All these jobs become very painful if the trades people have to ask you to move your car to get into your property. It is all well and good if people want to come and have a look, but make sure they park their car well out of the way.
Access into the house itself has to be addressed too - make sure there are no bikes or toys on the veranda that may get in the way of deliveries. It may even pay to clear off any items near or on the most commonly used access to the point is so that there is no chance of anything getting damaged. Placing things such as a thick rubber mat over your doorstep during the day so builders don’t need to worry about scuffing your doorstep is also a good idea, as is placing a mat in the toilet (if you are letting the builders use it).
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