It may seem obvious, but please remember that we are all on the same side. Often I meet people (not my clients I hasten to add) who view their designer and their contractors as adversaries, only there to give them a raw deal, overcharging and underperforming. That is a very negative and unfortunate view of a series of relationships which are based on trust on both sides. Our reputation as designers and contractors are only as good as our last project, and our last satisfied client, so we would be foolish to be known for the wrong reasons.

One of the most important meetings you have with your designer will be to discuss the brief. This description of all the things you want to do will form the basis of your contract, dictate the fees, the budget and the most suitable contractors.

You need to prepare detailed notes about the work you would like to undertake. Bear in mind a few basic principles and your project will run much more smoothly, as will your relationship with the design team. You will get better value for money, the project will be completed quicker and the whole process will be much less stressful. If you brief piecemeal, adding and removing areas as you go your designer will charge higher fees, your contractor will charge for extras and additions you may request, and you will also be charged for work already carried out which you may no longer require…