Preparing for a Contractor: What to Do Before Work Starts

A lot of the friction that shows up during a renovation was actually created — or avoided — in the week before work started. Contractors who consistently deliver a smooth project aren't just lucky; they (and their clients) have usually done a specific, fairly small set of things in advance. Here's what's worth sorting out before the first day on site.

Get the scope and price in writing

Beyond the headline price, a proper agreement should state clearly what's included and what isn't, so there's no ambiguity later about whether something was part of the original scope or a chargeable extra. It's not about distrust — it's about both sides working from the same understanding.

Agree the payment schedule upfront

Staged payments tied to progress (rather than one lump sum at the end, or the majority upfront) protect both parties. A deposit that covers materials ordering and initial setup is normal; the bulk of the payment should follow the work, not precede it. See our companion piece on renovation budgeting for how to plan cash flow around this.

Sort out access before day one

Confirm parking arrangements (including permits, if needed), where materials and skips can be positioned, and which entrance will be used. If you're in a flat or terrace with limited access, raise this with your contractor at quote stage, not on the morning work is due to start.

Decide where you'll actually be during the work

For room-specific projects, work out in advance how you'll manage without that space — an alternative bathroom arrangement, a temporary kitchen setup. For larger or structural projects, be realistic early about whether staying in the property is workable for the whole duration.

Protect what isn't being renovated

Clear the work area completely, and take reasonable steps to protect adjoining rooms, flooring, and furniture from dust and foot traffic — a good contractor will do this too, but it's a shared responsibility, particularly for anything irreplaceable.

Agree how variations will be handled

Almost every renovation encounters at least one thing that wasn't part of the original scope — something found once work starts, or a decision you make partway through. Agree upfront how these will be priced and approved, so a variation doesn't turn into a dispute. See our guide on common renovation mistakes for how this goes wrong when it isn't agreed in advance.

Establish one point of contact

For anything beyond a single-trade job, agree who the main point of contact is on each side, and how updates will be communicated. This matters more than it sounds — most on-site confusion comes from decisions being made by different people without everyone being told.

Confirm insurance and guarantees

Ask what insurance covers the work while it's in progress, and what guarantee applies once it's finished, and get both in writing. A contractor who does this routinely will have the answer ready without hesitation.

A rough timeline: what to sort out, and when

• 4-6 weeks before: scope and price agreed in writing, deposit paid, materials with a lead time (bespoke joinery, made-to-order units, stone worktops) ordered.
• 2 weeks before: access, parking, and skip position confirmed with the contractor; plan for using the space during works finalised.
• The week before: work area cleared, adjoining rooms protected, one point of contact and daily working hours agreed.
• The day before: final walk-through of the scope with the contractor, so both sides start from the same understanding on day one.

What homeowners can reasonably do themselves

Clearing a room, removing curtains or fixtures unaffected by the trade doing the main work, and taking your own "before" photos (genuinely useful if anything is later disputed) are all sensible, low-risk tasks to take on directly. Anything involving isolating services (water, gas, electrics) should be left to the contractor or a qualified trade, even if it seems simple — this is exactly the kind of task where a mistake is expensive and sometimes unsafe.

A short pre-start checklist

• Scope of work and price agreed in writing
• Payment schedule agreed and staged to progress
• Access, parking, and skip position confirmed
• Plan in place for using the space during works
• Work area cleared and adjoining areas protected
• Process for variations agreed
• One point of contact confirmed on each side
• Insurance and guarantee terms confirmed in writing