How to manage remote construction

Just about anyone who owns a home has an unfortunate tale to tell about the difficulties of managing any kind of construction or repair project, the frequent time and cost overruns and the strain such projects can put on your patience. 

And all these problems are likely to be multiplied if you want any building work done on a holiday home or investment property that happens to be located in another town unless you take special precautions to ensure that it will be completed satisfactorily.

To begin with, you will need to thoroughly research contractors and service providers in the area where your property is located. A good idea is to ask your local property professional to recommend companies with experience in the type of work you need to be done and a good reputation for finishing projects on time and in budget. 

Next, you need to verify that any contractor you appoint has the right qualifications and authorisation to perform the work you need done, and carefully check any references from their previous clients. 

Third, you absolutely must have a written contract with your contractor that clearly outlines the scope of work, project timelines, payment terms, materials to be used, and any warranties or guarantees. Make sure you read this contract thoroughly and ask for any clarification you need before signing it.

You should also create a system to document and record everything to do with the project, including any email and WhatsApp communications, agreements, invoices, receipts, and any changes or modifications to the project. 

Then, once work has begun, you should insist on regular communication and progress updates so that you can quickly address any problems that may arise. You should also conduct on-site inspections and quality checks at key stages of the project, or appoint someone you trust to do so. If you or they notice any issues or deviations from the agreed-upon plans during an inspection, these should of course be raised with the contractor immediately so that they can be rectified before the project goes any further.

And lastly, you should only ever make payments as certain stages of the project are completed to your satisfaction. You should never make upfront payments, as you will then have no leverage to ensure that the project progresses according to your contract.