Has improving your home been on your mind? Whether you’re thinking about converting your attic or tackling your out-dated bathroom, check out our handy tips for hassle-free repairs and renovations:

Home Improvement

1. Know exactly what you want Make sure you know what you need improved or changed and set your budget before you contact a builder, engineer or tradesperson. Gather photographs from magazines, sites, or apps like Facebook or Twitter, to demonstrate precisely what you like.
2. Do your homework
   Ask family, companions or neighbours for suggestions of tradespeople they have used. Ensure the companies or people you hire are legitimate and know their craft. If you’re using a company, check that it is registered with the Companies Registration Office, or if they are a member of a trade association.
   

   Check up on who you employ

    

3. Ask for testimonials, references or reviews  Check their track record with previous clients. Don’t rely on written references, as they may not be genuine. Call the clients to confirm the references and if you can, try to visit them to see the work that was done.
4. Get a quote, not an estimate
   An estimate can be a shot in the dark as to how much a job will cost but has no legal standing. The price could increase as the work goes on. A written quote is binding so long as you don’t make changes to the job’s requirements. Get three different quotes and remember that the cheapest one mightn’t always be the best value – quality of materials, experience and reputation are important too.
5. Check to see if they’re insured
   Check if to see if the builder or tradesperson is covered for damage to your property or if your own home insurance policy includes this.
6. More often than not, deposits are usually non-refundable
   If you change your mind about a job or service the tradesperson usually doesn’t have to refund you the deposit unless your contract says it’s refundable. Try and pay any deposit with your credit or debit card, so if the supplier goes out of business, your card provider may be able to reverse the transaction with a chargeback.
7. Schedule your payments
   To avoid any disagreements, break the payments into stages. The payments schedule should detail the work to be done, the amount to be paid at each stage and the number of payments. Avoid paying cash if possible, as it can’t be traced. Always get a receipt for your payments and keep the receipts safe.
8. Always, always sign a contract
   Having a signed contract protects you. But you should never sign any contract without reading it carefully, including the terms and conditions and small print. The contract should describe what they will be supplying and the payment schedule. If you are taking on a large project, like an extension or complete renovation, it might be worth getting your solicitor to look at the contract.
   

   Always sign a contract

    

9. Know your rights
   When you hire a tradesperson to provide a service for you, you have rights. You have the right to expect that:

• The service is provided with proper care and attention
• The business providing it has the appropriate skills to do the job
• Any materials they use are fit for their purpose
• Any goods they supply to you as part of the service should be of acceptable quality too

10. Know what to do if things go wrong
    If things go wrong, check your contract to see where you stand. Talk to the tradesperson and explain why you aren’t happy and try to agree on a solution. If they aren’t willing to finish the work properly or give you a refund or reduction in price, you can take legal action. You can use the Small Claims procedure if the job cost less than €2,000. For jobs over €2,000, you should consult your solicitor.