WE LEARNED...

TAKE ADVANTAGE

of the preplanning advice on offer from your local authority... and follow it! It will help iron out any issues before you make your application for full planning permission.

DON’T WASTE MONEY

by over specifying. We could have finished the flat kitchen roof with zinc or lead, but it’s only visible from one bedroom window. A black rubber membrane roof was significantly cheaper and will be equally serviceable in the long-term.

AVOID PAYING UPFRONT

whenever you can. If we had paid our demolition contractor in advance, it would have been impossible to get him back on site to complete the work to our satisfaction.

USING CONTRACTORS YOU KNOW

and trust is ideal, but let them tender for the work in a competitive environment even if you’ve already made your choice. That way you can be sure of getting the best price.

ALWAYS CHECK

and check again. Something didn’t feel right when I was about to order the attic trusses. I went back to the drawings and realised the company was working to the wrong set. That could have been a costly mistake.