Taking on an at-home construction project is a difficult but satisfying task. With so many costs involved in moving home, it is often worth exploring options for renovation and construction before resorting to putting up a ‘for sale’ sign.
Whether you are renovating your attic to create more living space or adding a summer house to the yard, all construction projects, big and small, need to be well planned and carefully thought out if you want to achieve a good end result.
Here are six essential rules that you should stick to when taking on a construction project at home:
Put together a team
The team you need will depend on the size and nature of the construction project you are taking on. For small DIY projects, you might be able to complete the work yourself and save money but bigger projects will require the help of friends and family or professional contractors.
Assess what needs to be done and what skills are required. For example, if building brick walls or outbuildings, you will need the services of a bricklayer. Look around for the right people, you may wish to get quotes from multiple contractors before selecting one that is the best fit.
Asking for recommendations from friends, neighbors or online review sites is a good way to find reliable tradespeople. If you are planning to use holidays while off work to complete your project, consider that there may be less availability during this time.
Source the right materials
Do your research to make sure you order in the right materials before you start your project. There is nothing worse than being halfway through the build and realizing you don’t have everything you need.
There are usually many different options for materials, what you pick might depend on your budget, skill level and availability. For those limited on time and construction experience, prefabricated builds such as the Prefabricated Quonset Hut Kit can be a sensible option.
Ensure you read up on the durability of each material and the potential benefits and drawbacks of each option. You may be able to get advice from someone experienced at your hardware store.
Get the right permits
Finding out if you need a permit should be the first thing you do, before you invest in any materials or equipment. Put in your application in plenty of time and do not begin any building works until it is approved.
Failing to have the correct permits in place could land you in legal trouble, you could receive a fine or be made to demolish your build.
Put together a plan
If you are managing your own project, it will be down to you to put together a plan with a timeline of works.
Following a plan will help you to ensure no steps are forgotten and that you are working as efficiently as possible. If you have a project manager, they will be responsible for planning, but you may wish to participate in the process to agree expectations and deadlines.
Your plan should include a risk assessment. What are the potential dangers you face during construction, and do you have the resources on hand to deal with emergencies? If this is a DIY project, be aware that lone working comes with increased risk, you need to know where you can seek help in the event of accidents and injuries.
Have a contingency fund
Construction projects often go over time and over budget as unexpected issues arise during the build process. Have some room in your budget for the purchase of more materials or extra labor costs when timescales change.
Know when to call in the experts
While you might want to complete as much as you can yourself, taking on tasks that you do not have the necessary skills to complete can be risky and costly. It is important to know when to put down your tools and call in the professionals when you get stuck—especially if you run a home-based business where safety, efficiency, and uninterrupted operations matter.
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