Finding a good builder, plumber, electrician, and carpenter is pretty key for the smooth running of a renovation, and I highly advise finding them through word of mouth, wherever possible. We found our builder, who brought in his own trusted tradespeople for different elements of the work, via a friend of a friend. We got quotes—and did an all-important vibe check—with a few builders, and chose ours because he was friendly, polite, and seemed trustworthy. Listen to your gut—they will be in your home for months, and if your instincts are telling you no, pay attention! It’s worth putting the time and effort into finding someone good.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
Many of us feel it’s rude to barter or haggle regarding a quote, but it’s pretty normal in the building world. As well as doing your research and getting lots of quotes to begin with—knowledge which gives you more leverage to propose a different price—it’s always worth asking. Don’t ask, don’t get!
Don’t listen to your builder’s aesthetic advice
This is a big one. When you’re new to renovating, chances are you feel overwhelmed with the amount of decisions that need to be made, and subsequently you can lose sight of what you want to achieve. Not to mention that when you don’t understand the process of building (which many of us don’t), it’s not always easy to know what is and isn’t possible. While usually well-meaning, your builder will often step in and advise you on what you should do. This is useful in some instances, but when it comes to the aesthetic side of things, dear reader, I would advise you not to listen to them. As emphatic as they may be, there are always ways around different issues that don’t result in something incredibly unsightly in your eyeline. They typically want to get the job done quickly, but you have to live in it for the rest of your days. They’ve also not been on Pinterest for hours like you have, so stick to your guns and insist on what you want.
