Once you've hired a tradesperson and agreed a start date, a bit of preparation on your part can make a real difference to how smoothly the job goes. It saves time, reduces the risk of damage to your belongings, and helps the tradesperson get on with the work without unnecessary interruptions.

Clear the work area

Remove furniture, ornaments and personal items from the work area before the tradesperson arrives. This protects your belongings and means the tradesperson can start immediately rather than spending the first hour moving things out of the way. For larger jobs, consider whether furniture in adjacent rooms needs protecting from dust.

Confirm access arrangements

Think about how the tradesperson will access your property — especially if you won't be home. Will they need a key? Is there parking nearby? If they're working on an upstairs room, is the route clear? Let them know about any access codes, gate locks, or dogs that need to be kept out of the way.

Know where your stopcock and fuse box are

For plumbing or electrical work, make sure you know where your main water stopcock and consumer unit (fuse box) are located. The tradesperson may need to isolate the water supply or turn off a circuit before starting. If you're not sure where these are, find out before the job starts — not during it.

Protect floors and soft furnishings

Most tradespeople will bring dust sheets, but it's worth laying down your own protection on carpets and hard floors along the route from the front door to the work area. Dust travels further than you'd expect, and it's much easier to protect surfaces in advance than to clean them afterwards.

Be available at the start of the job

Try to be present when the tradesperson arrives, even if you're not staying for the whole day. The first hour is when questions get answered, decisions get made, and the scope of work gets confirmed. Being available at the start avoids misunderstandings that can be costly to unpick later.

Agree on a daily routine

For jobs lasting more than a day, it's worth agreeing on start and finish times, whether the tradesperson will have access to a kettle, and how you'll communicate if something unexpected comes up. Small conversations at the start of a job prevent bigger conversations mid-way through.

This advice is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.