10 Tips For A Great Working Relationship With Tradespeople

While many people think interior design is all about creating beautiful spaces there is an incredibly practical and messy side to bringing those designs to life. To realise a finished project there are going to be a lot of trades people and suppliers involved from start to finish.

Part of my job entails liaising with tradespeople and suppliers who are pivotal in making my designs a reality. Over the years I have become used to working with trades from all sectors so I have a good understanding of how they work and what they need from me. But sometimes I create detailed designs for clients who will then deal with the trades people directly and project manage the renovations themselves. If I’m not involved in this part of the process I do still try to ensure that this part will go as smoothly as it can for my clients so I like to impart some knowledge and experience I’ve learned along the way.

This list is by no means exhaustive but it will help you to get your project underway and to be prepared for what comes your way. Just a word of warning - you’ll be very lucky indeed if a home renovation or major work is completed without a mishap, communication misunderstanding or (hopefully minor) disagreement with a trades person. Things happen!! Properties are as unique as each of us and who knows what will be uncovered along the journey to a better home. So, in the words of Girl Guiding it’s best to “be calm and be prepared” .

1. REQUEST CLARITY - Get a detailed quote before the start date of any work and make sure you are happy with the quote. Also don’t just rely on one quote before going ahead. It’s important to get several quotes so you can be sure the price is competitive. Some tradespeople will give a detailed cost breakdown while others won’t, so be prepared to request pricing clarity if it’s not there. If you’ve been working with an interior designer on creating designs for tradespeople to work on it’s likely that your designer has specified the little details like light switches and plug socket fascias. But if they haven’t make sure you don’t get stuck with basic white plastic products as a tradesperson will supply the most basic item which does the job. That’s fine for things which aren’t seen like electrical cabling but if you’re after a high-end finish it will be the little details which count. On larger projects the scope of work can sometimes change so keep notes of any additional changes and costs, or reductions in cost if a project is pared back, then there shouldn’t be any nasty surprises when it comes to paying.

2. BE ORGANISED, VERY ORGANISED – If you have decided to source items yourself such as flooring, skirting boards or lighting, do your product research early and check with your tradesperson if what you are planning to purchase is right for the job. They may spot a potential problem which in the long run could save you money and extra work. Your builder should be able to give you a schedule of work over the agreed timescale of the project, especially if it’s a big renovation project. Use this schedule to plan when you need to have sourced each item by so it’s on site when it needs to be installed. Some items may have a long lead time of 4-6 weeks (or longer for things like windows) so factor that in, working back to when the order will have to be made. Don’t forget to allow for any additional delivery costs or check if your builder is happy to collect heavy items locally for you. Also if you’re finding all the trades yourself or project managing them you’ll need to have a thorough list of which trades you need, how long their work will take and in which order they should be working – you don’t want a carpenter putting in new skirtings before the floor has been laid!

3. GET VISUAL! – Have pictures and samples ready to talk through with your tradesperson. Visuals can often be much clearer than just a conversation meaning there is less opportunity for something to be misconstrued. If necessary give a printed copy as a reference. If you’ve worked with an interior designer on planning your renovation you should have all the visuals to hand to help communicate how things should look.

4. ATTENTION TO DETAIL - Don’t be afraid to go into specific detail about what you want. Good tradespeople want their clients to be clear, organised and detailed so it makes their job easier. Be specific about finishes which are important to you. For example, tell your tiler that you want a maximum grout line of 3mm before they start the job otherwise a thick grout line means you won’t get the look you were hoping for.

5. WORK TOGETHER – It helps if you can find tradespeople who are on your wavelength, who listen to you and give you constructive information and advice so you can make good decisions as the client. Unfortunately you may come across tradespeople who only like to do things their way or who want to use products they like to use. Ultimately you will be living with any decisions they make on your behalf so be ready to suggest and source an alternative, or find a different tradesperson.

6. ESTABLISH ETIQUETTE - Agree upfront if tradespeople will expect any refreshments from you or if they will want to use your bathroom. Nowadays many people organise for a Portaloo if trades people will be doing a long term project. When it comes to tea and coffee facilities in some instances they may be able to set up a makeshift tea station in an outside space if there is access to power. Also establish if any rooms in the house are off-limits or need your permission to enter. Remember that work in one room may have an impact on another due to accessing electrics or plumbing. Clarify if and when you may be without power or plumbing so you can plan to be out of the house or make sure your laptop is fully charged!

7. CONSIDER YOUR NEIGHBOURS - Warn your neighbours in advance of any major works starting which may impact their access or increase noise levels. Some tradespeople like to get an early start but if that isn’t acceptable then agree a later start time. Also if your neighbour works from home they make not want to listen to a radio blaring from 8am till 4pm. You will be living next to your neighbours long after the builders have finished so ensure your tradespeople consider them as well as you.

8. PROGRESS CHECKING - Depending on the job do try to look at progress regularly to ensure you are happy with the speed and the way the project is progressing. Homeowners are often surprised at the quick speed of projects and sometimes struggle to keep up with decision-making and order purchasing. Do raise any major concerns as and when you spot them rather than leaving them until snagging. If you leave any concerns until the end then they may be harder to rectify and your tradesperson will want to move onto the next job.

9. MINIMISE MESS & LIABILITY – Good tradespeople will take care of your home and your belongings with extra dust sheets and a little TLC. Many tradespeople will clear up at the end of each working day but if this isn’t the case it will be worth raising the issue to ensure that tools are locked away, the site is hazard-free and mess is kept to a minimum. It’s also worth checking if your home insurance and the trades person’s insurance will cover the required work and any mishaps.

10. KEEP SMILING & KEEP CALM – Depending on the job required having tradespeople in your home can be a major disruption to an already hectic lifestyle and a busy household. Unforeseen problems can cause stress on both sides but remaining on good terms with tradespeople will help if things do go awry and you need to work through any issues. Every property is different and problems do happen. Damp can be found under a floor which will require fixing (at extra expense) or plaster could crumble when old fittings are removed. It’s best to be prepared for this as crossing your fingers and hoping for the best doesn’t always work! If things do go wrong or discussions get heated then counting to 10, taking a deep breath or sleeping on it (if time allows) are good options. Reacting in the heat of the moment could make a situation worse so when things do go awry it's best to clarify the best course of action so you can move forward with plausible solutions.

We hope our 10 tips help you with your next project. If you'd prefer a little help along the way then do get in touch, we love to help homeowners to create their ideal home.