You and your builder - so what are the possible issues during construction?

Here are just a few (continually being updated).....

1 - Setting some ground rules

It's important to start as you mean to go on when your builder turns up to get the work under way.

Spend some time thinking about what will be involved. Will they be working in your home and if so are you happy for them to smoke or should they always go outside?

If the work is outdoors your builders will need access to a toilet, water for mixing etc. Will dust sheets be laid down or should they remove their boots?

Once work is under way and no matter how well the job goes, at some stage stress levels will rise.

Always keep the dialogue open so that problems are nipped in the bud straight away. Don't let things fester because when the argument does finally arrive (and it will) things will be a lot more heated.

Never start an argument or point out a problem to your builder in front of his men. He will be much more likely to back down if you talk in private.

Don't criticise your builder to his men. Often, you get to know his men better than him simply because he will be spending time off site where as they will be with you every day for what could be several weeks, even months for a large extension.

Its very easy to start complaining about 'how he's only ever here when a cheque is due' etc. but his men will be itching to be the one to tell him  so they can score points with the boss.

Any problems, concerns or worries, talk to the organ grinder and not the monkey!