The building process
Whilst the builder may be reluctant to
provide one, we do recommend that
a programme of works or schedule of
activities is prepared for your project.
This can be a simple breakdown of
the intended weekly tasks or issued
as a spreadsheet chart.
Either way, this helps you to
understand how the builder intends
carrying out the work and when
critical activities such as breaking
through into the existing property are
scheduled. It also enables you to
check on a week by week basis if the
builder is on programme.
We would also strongly recommend that keep a diary and a photographic record during the
building process as this will help if you have issues with delays, materials used, etc. There may
be periods where works cannot progress due to poor weather or material deliveries and you will
need to agree with the builder if the agreed contract time can be extended as a result.
Keep a record of any dates that the building inspector has visited the site to inspect the works.
The builder is usually responsible for arranging the visits so check with him when these have
been carried out and if there were any issues raised.
During the building process, there will be a multitude of decisions you will need to make on the
final choices of fixtures and fitting such as lights, sanitaryware, wall and floor finishes, etc. so it
is a good idea to have a regular (weekly or fortnightly) meeting with the builder to go through
these and keep a note of anything agreed.

This meeting can also include a review of progress, payments made or due, confirming any cost
variations for additional or omitted works and any other queries you or the builder may have. It
is a good idea to issue formal minutes to these meetings to keep a record of anything that is
agreed.
The building process can be an emotional time for you as the homeowner as you have a
multitude of people carrying out the work which can feel like an invasion on the privacy you
usually enjoy in your home. However, it is a time to focus on the additional space you will enjoy
when the project is finished.
 Dealing with disputes
Building disputes are not uncommon during any building process and it is difficult to cover this
subject in detail here. There are some key suggestions we would recommend to minimise the
chances of this as below:
1. Provide good quality documentation – this includes the standard of drawings and
specification of works. The clearer and more detailed these are, the less chance there
will be of misunderstandings on what is included in the works. If you do have a dispute
on whether an item of work is allowed for, it is a lot easier to resolve it if is written down
on a contract document.
2. Monitor progress – by having an agreed programme of works, you will soon be able to
assess if the works are behind schedule. If they are, speak to the builder about how he
intends recovering the time or, if the reasons for any delay were unavoidable, agree a
written revised completion date.
3. Workmanship issues – if you are unhappy with the quality of some of the workmanship
then make sure you let the builder know as soon as possible. He may not be aware that
there is a problem such as a leaking roof or plumbing connection and you will often
notice this first if you are at the property more than the builder. Many of these issues are
easier to deal with as soon as they are discovered rather than after subsequent works
such as plaster boarding have covered them up. The benefit of key stage payments in
your contract is payment should not be made by you unless the items have been
rectified.
4. Payment issues – these can be the hardest disputes to resolve, particularly if the builder
is having financial problems and cash flow is impacting the progress of your project. Our
main advice is that you need to protect your own position and do not pay more than the
value of the work completed, If the builder has serious financial issues and cannot
complete the work, you need to ensure that you have the funds to complete it with
another builder. Do not agree any changes to the contract terms unless you are happy to
do so.
It is a good idea to make sure there is an agreed method of how to deal with disputes in the
contract such as an agreed arbitrator in the event that you and the builder cannot resolve an
issue.

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3. BUILDING CONSIDERATIONS
 Project completion
Once works are complete, it is a good idea to have a ‘drying out’ or retention period.
When any building is completed, the moisture in the construction needs to dry our over a period
of time and this can cause some minor defect items such as shrinkage cracking in walls and
ceilings, timber drying out and the possibility of doors and windows needing adjustment. We
would usually suggest 3-6 months as an agreed period and you should hold back a percentage
of the contract sum to be paid once any defects have been rectified.
Also make sure the builder provides you with any written guarantees from himself or other
contractors involved in the project such as window and door suppliers, roofing contractors,
heating engineers, etc. The electrician should provide a completion certificate and, once all
works are complete, the building inspector will also carry out a final inspection and issue a
completion certificate.
We would recommend that any final payment to the builder is not made until the building
inspector has signed off the project.
At the end of the process, you will be able to enjoy the additional space you have created for
many years to come.