15 Tips for Working With Contractors

Starting work on your home but not sure how to foster a great working relationship with your contractor? You’re not alone. At The Page, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners navigate their renovation journeys and we know exactly what makes for a successful partnership – it comes down to trust, respect and communication from both parties.

Whether you’re planning a bathroom refresh or a full extension, these tips cover every step of the process to help you get the best possible results.

1. Do your homework before you start

Gone are the days of picking names from the phone book. Before you even think about reaching out to contractors, get crystal clear on your project scope. Create a detailed brief, gather project inspiration photos and set a realistic budget. Contractors love working with prepared clients (it makes their job much easier and more enjoyable) and you’ll get more accurate quotes when you know exactly what you want.

2. Get multiple quotes 

Three to four quotes is the sweet spot. Any more than that and you’ll likely end up confused rather than informed. Each quote should be detailed enough to understand exactly what’s included (and what’s not). If a quote seems suspiciously low, it probably is – make sure you’re comparing apples with apples. 

Quotes should always cover a full scope of work (breaking down labour costs for each element of the job), a project timeline, payment schedule, information on guarantees and warranties on workmanship, agreement on communication (who is the main contractor or point of contact and how updates will be shared), details on site preparation and cleanup, and clarity on compliance with local building codes and regulations.

Quotes can be confusing to compare due to construction industry jargon, plus there’s no standard for formatting. Part of The Page’s renovation coaching service is to help homeowners get clarity on their Pager quotes, so you can feel confident everything is covered and the pricing is competitive. 

3. Check references (actually check them)

Don’t just ask for references for peace of mind – speak to the previous clients! A call offers a goldmine of information about a contractor’s communication and work style, reliability and the end result of the project. Some people might also be open to letting you check out their recent renovation in person. Nothing beats seeing the quality of work with your own eyes.

4. Communicate well

Good communication is the cornerstone of all great relationships: the best contractor collaborations are built on clear and consistent conversations. Whether it’s daily WhatsApp updates or weekly site meetings, agree early on about how and when you’ll communicate, and stick to this. Good contractors are busy contractors, so respect their time by keeping communications focused and efficient. 

If you’re not happy with something, arrange a time as soon as possible to discuss why rather than harbouring any resentment or sitting on the problem. Remember that even with the clearest of briefs, contractors are not mind readers and sometimes a quick chat to re-confirm the intricacies of what you want is the best way forward.

5. Get everything in writing 

That fantastic idea you discussed on site? Get it in writing. Changes to the timeline? In writing. Additional costs? You guessed it – writing. A successful renovation isn’t just about trust, it’s about clarity. Making sure that every update or deviation is documented protects both you and your contractor and ensures everyone knows exactly what’s expected.  

6. Be decision-ready

Nothing delays a renovation like slow decisions. When your contractor needs an answer about tile choices or paint colours, be ready to give it – or indeed make up your mind ahead of time.

Not being able to move to the next stage of the job is frustrating for your contractor and can have a domino effect on their other projects, so be mindful of the bigger picture and be as prepared as possible.

At the beginning of the project, sit down with your contractor to understand exactly what they’ll need from you and when so as to minimise hold ups.

7. Establish a clear payment schedule 

Talking about money can be awkward but the conversation needs to happen, so be upfront about it. Whether a sole trader (self-employed) or business owner, a professional contractor should have a clear payment schedule tied to project milestones. Never pay the full amount upfront, but do expect to pay a deposit to secure their services and cover initial materials. 

8. Expect the unexpected

Most renovations come with some surprises, particularly if you’re doing up a period property. There are some things that your contractor just can’t know until they get started, like old pipes that need replacing, uncovering hazardous materials or revealing previous shoddy work that needs updating.

We recommend keeping some funds in reserve (about 20% of your budget if you can) until the final snag list is complete to account for any unexpected costs like these. 

Learning that your project is going to take longer than planned or be more expensive than you hoped can be stressful and frustrating – don’t take it out on your contractor. 99% of the time they will have done everything correctly and these unforeseen elements are just par for the course. 

9. Create a realistic timeline

Work with your contractor to create a realistic timeline that accounts for both of your schedules and clearly marks different project phases.

Depending on your project needs, a comprehensive timeline might factor in site preparation and demolition, installation, material lead times, painting, flooring, drywalling, finishing touches and snagging.

Once this is mapped out, add a buffer to account for potential weather delays, sickness and any other unforeseen things. It’s useful to create a spreadsheet with colour-coded phases and key moments to be able to keep track.

10. Know when to step back

While you should be involved in your renovation at every step of the way, hovering over your contractor’s shoulder won’t speed things up. Trust their expertise and give them space to do the work their way.

If you’re living in the property you’re doing up, you’ll be exposed to the work in progress, which isn’t pretty. But try not to panic unnecessarily and have faith in the process. On the flip side, if you’re living elsewhere during your renovation, schedule regular site visits instead of dropping by unannounced – it’s more productive for everyone.

11. Keep your documents organised

Create a project folder (digital or physical) with all your contracts, invoices, change orders and important bits of communication. Not only will this help you stay on top of things during the renovation, but it’s also invaluable to refer back to if any issues were to arise.

12. Understand the chain of command

If your main contractor employs subcontractors or has people with specific skillsets on their books (like tilers or electricians) spend some time understanding who does what and where the responsibility falls.

Will your point of contact be managing contractors on a day-to-day basis or are you expected to coordinate people? If your project involves construction work, who’s responsible for health and safety? Who should you speak to about different elements of the renovation?

Having clear lines of communication prevents confusion and keeps the project running smoothly.

13. Be kind and respectful 

Want your project to run like clockwork? Be the client contractors love to work with. Pay on time, make decisions promptly, communicate clearly and show appreciation for good work. Happy contractors often go the extra mile – it’s just human nature.

14. Plan for life during renovations

Doing work to your home involves some level of disruption, there’s no way around it. This is particularly true if you’re upgrading the kitchen or bathrooms as they’re such essential spaces for the whole household.

To minimise the stress, work with your contractor to understand how the project will impact your daily life. Will you need to shower at the office or the gym for a bit? Want to maintain access to certain areas? Plan these details upfront to reduce any surprises during the build. 

15. Don’t rush the final stages

The end is in sight, but don’t sprint to the finish line. Take time to properly inspect the work, create a detailed snag list if need be and ensure everything is completed to your satisfaction. A good contractor will want to ensure you’re happy with every detail before they consider the job done.

Find a contactor with Thomas from The Page

Finding the right contractor is crucial to your renovation’s success, so it’s understandable to feel the weight of this decision – but it doesn’t have to be stressful.

The Page’s renovation coach, Thomas, can help you take the guesswork out of contractor selection: the pre-vetted Pagers on our team are chosen for their exceptional skills, professionalism and track record of successful projects. Plus, we catch up with them regularly and check in on their jobs, so you have an extra pair of eyes on your renovation.