We all know undertaking a large building project can be stressful at the best of times. Here are a few tips from us to make your project as smooth as possible:

Cost
We’re all driven by price, but sometimes “less is not always best”, especially with building. If you have one quote that is substantially less than the rest, ask yourself what it is they’re not telling you. It might be that the company has left specific parts of the project out of the costing, in the hope of winning the job and then claiming those parts back as ‘extras’.

Extras
Building is not always straightforward. Sometimes a situation becomes apparent that requires fixing, additional to the original price. This is an ‘extra’, and all good contractors will discuss extras with you before doing the work. Discussing extras with you, the client, as they come to light, avoids nasty surprises and unexpected costs at the end of the build.

Stick with the plan
Deviating from the drawings once building has started is not as easy as it seems. Changing your mind at this point can cause frustration, result in lost time and will incur extra costs. Be prepared for this if you really, really want that staircase moved 50mm to the right!

Project management
It’s tempting to try and save costs by running the project yourself. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Appointing a main contractor means they deal with all the sub trades and contractors; sort out any problems as they arise and ensure that the project continues to run to schedule. This frees you up to focus on the more important details – deciding between ‘Magnolia Crème’ and ‘White Beige’.

Payment
Make sure payment terms are discussed with your contractor before building starts. Many contractors will now ask you to sign a contract for the works, detailing the payment terms and conditions. This offers protection for both the contractor and the client.
Kiwi Joinery asks for a 15% deposit, then progress payments throughout the project. This protects you, and ensures you’re happy with our work before progressing to the next stage.