Starting your build this year?
This practical course covers everything you need to know about working with a contractor—saving you time, money and stress
Starting your build this year?
This practical course covers everything you need to know about working with a contractor—saving you time, money and stress
Why Site Survival?
Starting building works is an exciting time, as you’re finally on the road to getting the home you’ve dreamed of.
But it can also come with a level of apprehension as you consider the challenges that lie ahead.
However tempting it may be to just cross your fingers and hope for the best, getting a good understanding of the team effort that will be involved between you and your contractor is the path to your project’s success.
Understanding the role you play is central to this. It’s down to you to ensure your project stays on time, on budget, and gets built as you expect.
Site Survival is designed to help you become a calm and confident client, informed and prepared to manage the ups and downs of site works to achieve your dream home.
Why Site Survival?
Starting building works is an exciting time, as you’re finally on the road to getting the home you’ve dreamed of.
But it can also come with a level of apprehension as you consider the challenges that lie ahead.
However tempting it may be to just cross your fingers and hope for the best, getting a good understanding of the team effort that will be involved between you and your contractor is the path to your project’s success.
Understanding the role you play is central to this. It’s down to you to ensure your project stays on time, on budget, and gets built as you expect.
Site Survival is designed to help you become a calm and confident client, informed and prepared to manage the ups and downs of site works to achieve your dream home.
What does the course cover?
Using video lessons, downloadable worksheets, project management spreadsheets and forum support we’ll ensure you’re prepared for the key phases of your building journey.
Before works start
How you prepare for starting on site is crucial to the success of your works.
We’ll look at 8 key tools you need for clear communication with your contractor, and how you should use them to keep your project on track.
- Agreed final drawings
- Priced scope of works
- Schedules of client-supplied items
- A signed contract
- Insurance documents
- Agreed payment schedule
- Agreed programme
- The right permissions
During the works
Having contractors in your home can feel chaotic! If not kept in check it’s easy for site works to spiral out of control.
We’ve created a practical guide to manage your works effectively and keep your project on track
- Our tried-and-tested method for managing site effectively
- How to avoid common site pitfalls
- Our top tips for a harmonious relationship with your build team
- Keep track with our downloadable spreadsheets
Finishing on site
The end of your works can often be the hardest. As they say, the last 10% takes 90% of the effort.
We’ll show you what, (and what not) to do at the final stages of your project to ensure your works are finished to everyone’s satisfaction.
- Retention monies and when to pay them
- When to move back in
- ‘Snagging’ and what it means
- Understanding your defects liability period
How will the course help my project?
Tackle difficult conversations
It can feel intimidating to be launched into a new industry and be expected to know the ropes. Preparing yourself with knowledge about the process means that you can plan and agree the finer details of your project with your contractors with confidence.
Keep your project on track
Sometimes delays are inevitable, but by having a programme to stick to, to track progress, and ensure orders arrive on time you’ll avoid nasty surprises. We’ll show you how.
Manage payments and additional costs
Payments for your build are subject to additions and alterations . We show you how to keep track of payments made to your contractor, account for any additions and ensure you always have enough money left to finish the works.
Make sure you’re covered if things go wrong
Getting the right documentaion in place before you head to site is not only key to a clear working relationship with your contractor, it’s also essential to fall back on if things don’t go as planned.
Learn how your input can make all the difference
We say it all the time – YOU are the most important member of your renovation team. Investing the time to learn about your role will pay for itself 1000s (yes, we said 1000s) of times over in good decisions and avoided mistakes!
Get it right the first time. Seriously
There’s a desire to jump in and work it out as you go along. But, there’s a reason that so many of the people that join us are renovating for the second time. They’ve found out the hard way that being prepared for your build is the only way to achieve success on site.
Supporting your journey
Course materials
We’ve created a bank of handy downloadable templates to give you a starter structure to make your own
Live support
We’re here for you! Have your queries answered in our lesson Q&A forum
Community
Our forum is a supportive environment for sharing stories and tips with others taking the course
Why HomeNotes?
As architects, we’ve been helping homeowners with their renovations for over 10 years. We lived the highs and lows. It can be a really daunting time for clients, involving lengthy, unfamiliar and complicated processes that can frustrate ambitions and eat up a budget fast.
We don’t believe it has to be like this.
The role you take in your renovation project is key to its success, which is why we set up HomeNotes, a unique learning platform to provide independent advice helping you to navigate life on site.
We’re here to empower you in creating a home that you love.
Jane and Amy
Co-founders
Site Survival Course
Self guided
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20+ video lessons
-
Downloadable PDF checklists
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2 x spreadsheets to manage your works
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Access to the HomeNotes Hub
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Lifetime access
Site Survival Course
Self guided
-
+20 Video lessons
-
Downloadable PDF checklists
-
2 x spreadsheets to manage your works
-
Live forum to answer your questions
-
Lifetime access
Got a question?