Planning a project ? Here's 7 top tips before you start...

7 THINGS TO DO BEFORE STARTING A HOME EXTENSION OR PROJECT

When embarking on the home extension journey it is essential that you consider the following:

1.

Prepare a DETAIL plan, design and specification; you may need to get an Architectural Technologist, Architect or Building Surveyor to assist.

 2.

Ensure you have sufficient funds to complete your project; you may need to get a professionally prepared cost plan.

 3.

Produce a set of contract documents including a bill of quantities and a contract; you may need to get a quantity surveyor on board.

 4.

Pick at least three contractors in order to get a variety of quotes. If you have had a bill of quantities produced the quotes will be easier to analyse.

 5.

Once the contractors have given you the quotes, go through them and check that everything has been included; if you have appointed a quantity surveyor they will do this for you. Remember that the lowest quote is not always the best quote.

 6.

Short-list a minimum of two contractors, get references from them and go to see past jobs they have completed which are similar to your project.

 7.

Ensure you put a payment schedule together; this should be based on the anticipated programme. You should try to pay contractors fortnightly based on the work that they have completed.