Living with Contractors: Our Guide to Coping with Building Work
August 2, 2009
I have been through it on more than one occasion and for me, it ranks highly on my stress-generating list. No matter how efficient the builders are and how much care is taken, construction can be a noisy and dust generating affair. From experience I know that in the good old days when the economy was booming, it was as rare as hens teeth to get your hands on a "reputable" builder and you were grateful that they could fit you into their schedule. Whilst this may be so, do not let them rule the roost; remember you are the client and they are working for you! You need to set out ground rules and I hope the following can help inform the agreement between you and your builder.
If you or your family members are usually at home during the day, why not think about living elsewhere or better still, going on holiday for a few days? Quite often this will not prove possible for various reasons so a certain level of inconvenience will have to be endured I am afraid. If this is the case, please bring it to the attention of the builder before work commences and try and ensure (an obvious point I know) that inconvenience is kept to a minimum.
Noise
Before work begins on site, make sure you establish with the builders what their working hours are. During the summer months (hehe), most builders like to be on site early and again, this may not be of convenience to your or indeed your neighbours. Therefore, I suggest you agree at the outset what the expected working hours will be and outside of these, the builder will have to seek your permission to extend those hours.
Similarly, builders like to listen to a radio when they work. Whilst you may not have any control over them listening to Classic FM, if this disturbs you or your neighbours (particularly if you are working from home) ask them for the volume to be kept low.
Dust
Where would you be without good old dust? No matter how big or small the job, it is likely that dust will be generated particularly if it involves disturbing the existing structure to your property. Whilst this is inevitable, the builders should take reasonable care and precautions by sealing off the area of work. The most effective way of doing this is by taping polythene sheets over doors and windows. If the builders do take this course of action, please be aware that the tape used to hold the sheets in place will in all probability result in existing painted surfaces being damaged and require redecoration when they are removed. Please recognise this and discuss this with your builder before work commences and agree what course of action will be taken to remedy this.
I suggest that where possible, you remove carpets and floor coverings or at the very least, they are covered in dust sheets. No matter how careful, dust will always be generated. Recently, I had work carried out which involved the creation of a new door opening and the sealing off of an existing one. I can hand on heart say that it was the first time in my life that I vacuumed twice a day for nearly 2 weeks. One tip I suggest is that water is sprinkled on concrete and timber floors before sweeping up.
Avoiding Obstruction
Yes, you may be grateful that the builder has finally arrived, but don't let them rule the roost. It is your home after all. Convenience for them does not necessarily mean convenience for you and can often be the case when it comes to on-site storage of materials. Whilst this is inevitable, ask the builder that safe and unobstructed access to your home is maintained whenever possible. This extends to their vans also. Disputes with neighbours can sometimes result form builders' vehicles blocking driveways or taking parking spaces in city streets. Where parking is of a premium, it may be that you will have to sacrifice your parking space in order to keep the peace.
Again, new build cannot happen without materials and these will by definition have to be delivered to site. As a matter of courtesy to all, please let your neighbours know when a delivery is to take place and ask neighbours if they can allow access.
Utilities
Unless the project is of a size that will warrant a portaloo, be prepared to have your bathroom visited by alien creatures. Whilst this cannot be avoided, make sure that walkways are properly protected from dirty footwear.
In this day of mobile phones, it is unlikely that the builder will need to use your telephone. However, it is worth pointing out that the phone can be used but not to track down football results or to wish Aunt Nellie in Australia a Happy Birthday.
The act of construction requires water and lots of it. Therefore, the builders will need regular access to water. If you haven't already, I suggest you have an outside tap fitted, not only to service the project but you will also find it invaluable when you are working outside in the future.
As the old adage goes Before Gain there is Pain. Your home will go through a metamorphism. Through the early stages when dust is everywhere and your home looks like a herd of wildebeest have taken up residence, you may question why did I ever bother. However, once the project has been completed, the nightmares of fruitless dust battles will be replaced by a sense of satisfaction... Yes it was worth it in the end!
Please Remember:-
- It is your home and the builder is working for you.
- Construction is a dirty job and the creation of dust is inevitable.
- Agree working hours.
- Agree where materials should be stored on-site.
- Make your neighbours aware that you will be having worked undertaken to your property.
- Agree which toilet (if you are lucky to have more than one) can be used by the builder.
- Agree if your phone can be used.
- Treat yourself to a celebration dinner out when the work is complete! You will have deserved it.
This is part two of our four part Guide to Making your Project a Reality.
To find a company who may assist you further, simply click on the free links located on the right hand side of the page.
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