Be upfront, but don't be angry. |
Be very clear about what you want done. Talk every detail through, and make sure your contractor knows exactly what it is that you want. |
Head down to a DIY store and have a look around. Try and make yourself aware of what's out there, so that when you start dealing with the professionals, you've got some idea of the materials available [for the jobs you want done]. |
If you're not 100 per cent familiar with the territory, this can be a very good idea. An architect or a surveyor will know the industry, and be able to talk the same language as the builders. Even if it's 10 per cent of the total cost of the project, it can be money extremely well spent when it comes to securing your own peace of mind. |
It's a good way to keep monitoring the work, check that everything's on schedule, and raise any problems. |