1. You need to write down a list of things that you want to do
2. Find out what needs permission and sign off from the local authority
3. Decide what work you can do and what you have to pay someone else to do
4. Work out the right materials to use, the pros and cons of bricks versus stone or different types of tiles or standards of showers and taps

1. Everything will take three times longer than you have planned
2. The bigger and older the property, the more likely you are to go over budget due to unforeseen circumstances
3. Ten minutes into every job, you will realise that you are missing something that you need

1. Call your buildings insurance and your contents insurance company/ies. Advise them of the work you are having done and ask them if your property and belongings will still be covered during the work.
2. If your insurance company doesn't cover you during this time, then ask how much if would cost to secure cover
3. Check with other insurance companies to see if you can get a better deal
4. Contact specialist insurance companies to see how much it would cost you to secure additional cover during the project eg Money.co.uk - home renovation insurance
5. Check with the architect, your builder/other tradesmen and secure in writing what insurance cover they have, including cover for any accidents caused to the people working on site and the general public
6. Ensure that if any of the building work causes damage that the tradesmen have insurance that will protect you

1. It's worth trying to secure a fixed labour fee for work carried out, otherwise, if you agree a day rate on the understanding that the job will take five days and it then takes ten days, you might end up paying out a lot more than you had planned for the project.
2. For small jobs, most people will fix the price, but some will just insist on charging a day rate and say 'it'll take as long as it takes'. If you don't know the person and it's the first time you have used them, it is worth trying to negotiate a fixed fee.
3. Most large jobs should be on a fixed price, otherwise you could be in a lot of trouble very quickly. And even if you do fix the price, bear in mind that things might crop up that neither you nor the builder had expected. It's important to be fair under these circumstances, so that you bear the pain of unexpected costs, but not if they are due to poor workmanship or problems that the builder or their tradespeople have caused.
4. Always ask for an hourly rate, day rate, weekly rate and also a rate 'for the job' so that you can compare different quotes more easily.
5. If a quote comes back and it's not clearly defined how much you are spending on materials and labour, as for a breakdown.

1. Different materials have very different pricing structures: some will include delivery, others will include guarantees. Some are built to last, others are just created to survive a few years. Working out which one is right for you should take some time. All tiles, flooring, and so on, are not the same - so take care when comparing different materials.
2. Always check out the costs and types of materials any tradesman is recommending, so you know that you are getting value for money and, more importantly, comparing like with like.
3. It is also worth negotiating very hard in the current climate.

1. Once you have all the quotes back from your research and an idea of what the labour and material costs will be, add up all the costs (we find the best way is to record everything on a spreadsheet).
2. Once you have some final fees, go back to the companies you have found the materials through, and any builder/tradespeople's quotes, to see if you can negotiate these down any further.
3. Once you have your total, depending on how big the project is and how old your property is, make sure you have a contingency budget, to ensure you don't run out of money half way through the renovation. We would recommend:
   
   10% for a smaller project
   20% for a larger project or older property
   30% for a larger project on an older property

1. Don't assume they are insured for their work - check
2. Do make sure you secure references, ideally face to face
3. Don't automatically go for the cheapest quote
4. Do ask which associations they belong to
5. Don't agree a job without a formal written quote (not just an estimate)
6. Do request to see their qualifications (a properly validated certificate or other written evidence)
7. Don't just deal with someone who can do it quickly
8. Do ask for a fixed quote
9. Don't pay anything up front for the work
10. Do agree a payment schedule after each 'job'

1. You should take time out to sit down and discuss what has happened and why you think it's a problem and then try to find an amicable solution.
2. If the dispute is serious, will you want them to stop the work or carry on while you potentially have a legal dispute?
3. If the dispute is fairly serious and you can't agree a solution, then it's worth getting someone in to arbitrate for you.
4. This could be a work colleague, a legal person, a friend or, if the contractor belongs to an independent trade association, they might be able to help and recommend someone who will arbitrate on both parties' behalf.

It is worth sitting down once a week (perhaps before paying contractors) to do through a review of the work that needs doing, whether you are doing the job yourself or you are working with contractors.

1. Once the project has been completed, most large projects won't have all the final monies paid for a good month or two.
2. Typically, a 10% retainer is held back just in case problems occur, so make sure you don't hand over the balance of your contractor's money prior to the end of the project.
3. If you have done the work yourself, just make a note of what you were happy with, how long it took and what you would do differently next time, as a helpful reminder.
4. It is worth sitting down with any contractors at the end of the build to go through extra jobs that were agreed and any additional costs, as well as discussing any paperwork that might be missing.
5. Often we are so happy to 'have our home' back that we don't see any problems with work carried out for some time. If you have had a lot of work don, such as an extension or a kitchen re-fit, it might be worth considering getting a 'snagging survey' carried out.

1. Once the project is finished, remember to file the paperwork somewhere that you can easily access, especially any insurance, contracts or guarantee details.
2. It is also vital that you keep this paperwork safe if you are likely to sell the home, as you will need to provide your buyer's legal representative with proof that all the work carried out met the relevant legal requirements and has the associated guarantees and warranties.
3. Finally, don't forget to look at reclaiming any VAT (if applicable).