12 Things to confirm with your Trade Contractors
You may already be aware that managing your own bathroom renovation requires a lot of notes taking, planning, and communicating. Its hard work! Especially if you’re doing it for the first time. From buying your bathroom fittings, to booking in tradies, there’s a lot of details to remember. One set of details new renovators tend to forget is communicating your housekeeping requirements and home facilities for when your contractors arrive onsite! They need to know how they can access the property if your not home, how to lock up when they leave, the list goes on and on… but don’t stress, we’ve got you!
As Bathroom Builders, we’ve had ALOT of experience communicating these details with our clients. We like to make sure all the details are well understood to avoid any unnecessary risks, damages, or mistakes that may interrupt your renovation deadlines. You can use our set of questions below as a check list guide to help you confirm with your contractors. Here are 12 important details you will want to confirm in writing with your contractors BEFORE they start works….
Emergency contact details
Clearly state who the best person is to contact in any case of emergency. This may seem obvious, but you may want to provide a set of contact details including other family members in case you are the one injured onsite! Or in the case that you are not contactable.
Pets, will they be contained while doors are open?
Let your contractors know how they can keep your pets safe upon arrival and lock up. If there is anything they should know about your pets, you should note it down so they can communicate it to their staff and team members.
Example, don’t open back gate so that my dog doesn’t escape, or do not attempt to pat the dog as they are sensitive to strangers.
Access and lock up requirements
How should contractors enter and lock up your home each day? If there are particular methods of exit/entry you would like them to follow. provide them your instructions. If a key or keypad is left onsite, provide instructions of access and how it should be left for others to access. If there are particular methods of exit/entry you would like them to follow, you should clearly list your instructions and show them on the first day. Maybe you will have a key lock left out the front, again be sure to provide clear instructions on how things should be left for others to access.
Example 1: Keys to be left in key pad lock outside tied to fence, Code is ####
Example 2: Use main key for front door entry only, Builder to hold key and manage use with other contractors.
Will someone be home while contractors are onsite?
For the safety of your household members and your contractors, let your contractors know who home will be and available in any case of emergency. Make them aware of how many and which family members will regularly access the home while they are onsite. This can help contractors identify who is permitted onsite and who is not. With many people going through your home, this can be a vulnerable time for attempted break-ins. You don’t want strangers taking advantage of the fact that your tradesman doesn’t know who lives there! So be sure to clearly communicate who is permitted on the property and who will be at home.
Where can tilers cut tiles?
Tile cutting can create a substantial amount of dust, help your tiler out by letting them know where it is ok for them to cut tiles. It can be a good idea to allocate a space away from any valuables that may be at risk when exposed to dust (for example, cars, other vehicles etc). You can also always move your vehicle to the street to be away from the allocated tile cutting area. Clear communication of this will help your tiler avoid choosing a spot that is not ideal!
Where can they access water?
Contractors will need access to water for filling up buckets and cleaning, be sure to communicate the best tap source of water that you are happy for them to access during the renovation, preferably one outside. If they can’t locate one, you don’t want them treading through your laundry or kitchen last minute! So let them know in advance.
Where can they dispose of rubbish?
Usually, a builder or homeowner will provide and organise a skip bin to be onsite intime for renovation works to start. If you have organised a skip bin, be sure to let your trades know that it will be available for them to use for renovation waste only. If you have not organised a skip, be sure to communicate with your trades on how they will manage disposal of rubbish. You don’t want to be left with any miscommunication on who was meant to organise the rubbish disposal! This will leave with you with a pile or dirt and rubbish in your front yard for a few days, which can be hazardous if exposed to pedestrians.
Do you permit contactors to use your toilet facilities?
Be prepared to allow your contractors to use your toilet facilities whilst on the job. Be clear on which toilet they can use. For example if there is a particular toilet or bathroom you do not want them to use for privacy reasons, or maybe someone else at home will be using it, then be sure to communicate this to your trades so they know how to respect your boundaries.
Example, teenage or elderly family members may use a particular bathroom/toilet and do not wish to share use with trade contractors for privacy reasons.
Agreed locations to safely store tools and materials
Some trade contractors who will be working at your home over a duration of day will leave their tools and some materials onsite in preparation for the next day. Some will need to wrap and store their belongings in a safe and dry location away from weather exposure whilst they are not onsite. Let them know what areas around your property are safe to do so, so that you and your family members know to take care or these items when you come across them.
Example, tools and materials can be wrapped and kept in the bathroom hallway, or in the garage.
Parking
Most contractors will park on the street, however if you live in a high-rise or enclosed community with restricted parking, try to give your contractors an allocated parking space whilst they complete their works. The closer the parking spot is to your home, the easier it is for them to do their job, and the quicker! Again, make sure you communicate this to them to avoid confusion or parking fees and upset contractors.
Noise & Building restrictions
Noise from construction works is generally allowed between 6:30am - 6:30pm Monday to Saturday in most residential areas. If your property is within a body corporate, be sure to double check their noise and construction working hours restrictions and pass this information onto your contractors so they can comply.
Other important notes
If your household has any other important notes or events happening, list them also to your contractors so they are aware. Here’s some examples of other important notes you may want to communicate to your trades…
Example 1: An important large delivery is arriving on a particular day, and I won’t be home, therefore I would like the contractors to confirm with AUS post and take the delivery on my behalf and store it in the garage safely.
Example 2: My parents are staying over to visit on a particular day (their names are Bob and Carol) and they have their own key to the property. Please allow them to enter the property if you see them attempting to access.
Different households have different requirements, therefore its important for you to assess your own living arrangements and how it may impact contractors from doing their job. And vice versa, assess how contractors doing their job, may affect you and your family members. This will help you plan ahead to make sure everyone is happy and able to do their tasks with no limitations or distractions. By prioritising your contractors needs, you will be able to help increase their work efficiency, which can sometimes even result in cost savings and avoid extra labour time charges. Remember communication is key, by communicating these details early on, you are sure to save yourself a lot of headaches and unnecessary mistakes!
