Top Tips for Surviving Home Improvements

Planning any type of home improvement can be a stressful process, but there are ways of coming through to the other side unscathed. Our top tips will help you navigate the project from start to finish.

Be Prepared

Whether you're having a new staircase installed or a new kitchen fitted, the more research and planning you do the better prepared you will be. It's important to have a good idea of what you want to achieve and look for examples before speaking to a designer or builder, who can help you decide on exactly what is achievable.

Have an Agreement

Once you've agreed the scope of work with the builder, such as the type of balcony balustrades you'd like, make sure you get a signed agreement setting out the budget and time frame. This needs to be as detailed as possible to ensure the finished work is exactly as you specified.

Keep an Eye on the Progress

Even if you're out while the work is taking place, keep a check on what has been done and ensure that you are happy with the progress and overall quality. If there are any issues that arise, then you should deal with these straight away rather than waiting until the end of the project, and keeping up regular communication with the builders will help to facilitate this.

Try to Avoid Making Changes

If you've done your research in advance, such as deciding on the style of balcony balustrades you want to install, it will help the project to run much smoother. Even making relatively small changes during the work can be costly and time-consuming and make it harder to manage the project. Where alterations are necessary, keep a record of what's agreed so there is no risk of confusion.

Keep Calm

Managing any size of building project can feel like it's taking up all of your time and is never-ending, but remember to stay focused on the end result. Even if problems do arise, keeping calm can be a far more productive approach than running around frantically trying to resolve everything yourself.

The End Is in Sight

The work might not always finish on time, and it could go over budget slightly, but this isn't the end of the world - you'll appreciate the effort when you see the finished effect. Once the project is completed, you'll be able to sit back and enjoy your new surroundings.