How to Prepare Your Home for a Tradesperson's Visit
A practical checklist for preparing your home before a professional arrives, covering access, parking, pets, protecting belongings and clearing space.
A little preparation makes a visit smoother, quicker and cheaper. When a provider arrives to find clear access, a free parking space and the problem area ready to work on, they spend their time doing the job rather than moving furniture or hunting for a stopcock. It also reduces the chance of damage to your belongings.
The day before
Clear the work area
- Move furniture, rugs and ornaments away from the area. A metre of clear space around the work is a sensible minimum.
- Empty cupboards or shelves that will be worked on, or that are directly beside it.
- Remove fragile or valuable items from the room entirely.
- Take pictures or notes of anything you cannot move, so you can check condition afterwards.
Make sure the route is clear
Providers will carry tools, materials and sometimes large items through your home. Look at the path from the door to the work area:
- Clear shoes, bags, boxes and toys from hallways and stairs.
- Open doors or remove them if they obstruct access.
- Move bicycles and prams if they are in the way.
Sort out access
- Make sure there is a way to get into the property, whether you will be there or you have arranged a key handover. See keys and home security.
- If you live in a flat, check intercom, entry codes and lift availability. Tell the provider.
- If a gate or side access is used, make sure it is unlocked or you have given them the code.
Think about parking
- Arrange a space if you can, or tell them the nearest option.
- Check permit rules and any visitor permit you may need to arrange.
- Warn them about restrictions, such as loading times or low bridges.
Mentioning these in your job brief saves a call on the day.
Utilities and services
Depending on the job, you may need to:
- Know where the stopcock, fuse board or gas meter is, and make sure they are accessible.
- Make sure there will be power and water for the work, unless they will be switched off.
- Have lights working in the work area.
- Let the provider know about any previous problems, such as sticking valves or a dodgy fuse.
People and pets
- Pets: Keep cats and dogs in a separate room or outside, with food and water. Tell the provider about them in advance. Open doors and strangers are a common cause of lost cats.
- Children: Keep them away from the work area, tools and materials.
- Vulnerable adults: Make sure someone who knows the arrangements is around, or let a family member know who is coming. See hiring for an elderly relative.
- Neighbours: If the work will be noisy, dusty or needs access to shared areas, a friendly note helps.
Protect your belongings
- Use dust sheets or ask the provider what they will bring.
- Cover or move electronics and soft furnishings.
- Put valuables, documents and sensitive items out of sight, in a locked room or elsewhere.
- Photograph the area beforehand, as recommended in photos and measurements.
On the day
- Be ready at the agreed time, even if they are not.
- Show them the work area and confirm what you have agreed.
- Make clear where they can and cannot go.
- Tell them where the toilet, kettle and any hazards are, as appropriate.
- Give them your phone number, and let them know if you will be in or out.
A short walk-through at the start is time well spent. See should you be home during the job.
What not to prepare
You do not need to deep clean, buy refreshments or take the day off for every job. Many providers will say they prefer to get on with the work. A cup of tea is a courtesy, not an obligation.
Afterwards
- Walk through the finished work together if possible.
- Check the area is left tidy and nothing is damaged.
- Raise problems while the provider is still there, as that is easiest to put right.
A quick checklist by job type
| Job | Extra preparation |
|---|---|
| Painting or decorating | Empty shelves, take down pictures, move furniture to the centre of the room |
| Bathroom or kitchen repair | Clear under sinks, locate the stopcock, protect floors |
| Garden work | Move furniture and toys, tell them about buried pipes or hidden hazards |
| Carpet or flooring | Clear the room and the route, check door clearances |
| Electrical or heating | Clear access to the fuse board, boiler and meters |
| Cleaning | Tidy surfaces so they can be wiped, put away personal papers |
Flats and shared buildings
If you live in a flat, let the managing agent or neighbours know about noisy work and deliveries. Check whether there are working-hour restrictions, lift booking rules or parking permits. Providers appreciate being told in advance, and it can prevent a stop-work request midway through the day.
Rented homes
Tenants should tell the landlord or agent what work is planned, particularly for anything that changes the property. Take before photos so any marks can be compared at the end. For more, see handyman work in rented homes.
A ten-minute last check
Before the provider arrives, stand where they will start and ask: Can they reach it? Can they put tools down safely? Is there light, power and water if needed? Is anything breakable within arm's reach? Fixing these in ten minutes can save an hour on the day.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I prepare?
The day before is usually enough, but clearing a work area earlier makes arrival-day calmer.
Should I move furniture myself?
If you can safely, yes. If items are heavy or awkward, tell the provider and agree who will do it, as it may affect time and cost.
Do I need to provide anything for the workers?
Typically only access, working space and basic facilities. Anything beyond that should be agreed in advance.