According to Holmes & Rahe, home renovations are one of the most stressful life events. They really don’t have to be! Here are 5 ways to survive building works at home, and ensure everything goes smoothly:
1. Organise a Party Wall Agreement
The Party Wall Act was introduced in 1996 and provides guidance for resolving any issues that occur when building work is being undertaken on sections of the property that adjoin to a neighbouring building, such as kitchen or loft walls. If building work may affect a neighbour, it’s worth having a party wall agreement in place.
Build Team offer a Party Wall service to carry out this process for you as its important to avoid any delays with the start date of the build. We can use our extensive construction knowledge to ensure that this process runs smoothly.
2. Take a Break
Kitchen extensions and loft conversions can be a noisy and dusty business so Build Team endeavours to be as sensitive as possible with this. Some homeowners prefer to move out during building works to enjoy a little peace and quiet.
However, if you decide to stay at the property, be sure to use the money you’ve saved by living-in during the works to take a few day trips and weekend breaks to get away from the dust and rubble.
3. Protect Your Interiors
Workmen will require access to more of your home than simply the area they’re working in, so it’s important to protect furniture in any parts of the home that building materials may need to pass through. Plastic sheeting usually isn’t sufficient, so opt for heavy duty canvas coverings and red rosin paper for hardwood floors.
At Build Team we generally use hardboard to protect the entrance hallway and corridor during the building programme, as there are often wheelbarrows carrying waste and building materials that have to travel through from the street.
4. Keep Passageways Clear
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) reports that the biggest risk within the construction industry is simply getting to the work area, with falls, slips, and trips accounting for nearly 30 percent of building-related injuries.
At Build Team we believe it’s important to take time clearing your hallways and passageways before building work commences to ensure your home remains in a good condition and that the team on site stay safe.
5. Be Communicative
Communication between homeowners and project managers is the key to success, but remember that communication in a building zone isn’t always easy.
Build Team always advises clients to communicate regularly and directly with their project managers to ensure information is received correctly and not lost in translation.
