The age, construction and legal arrangements of a home can materially change the right maintenance or renovation route. This guide helps owners assemble property-specific evidence before appointing advisers or contractors.
Week 1 — Safety checks (gas, electrical, smoke alarms)
For any emergency scenario — gas leak, burst pipe, flooding or total power loss — keep the relevant public emergency-service numbers to hand. If there is immediate danger, leave the property and contact the appropriate emergency service first. For urgent property work, call us and we will confirm whether a team is available.
Safety-related concerns should be assessed before aesthetic improvements, but age alone does not establish the condition of wiring, gas systems, drainage or structure. Stop work around a suspected hazard and use the appropriate emergency service or competent inspection route for the issue.
Week 2–4 — Boiler service and heating system check
Keep dated photographs, reports, invoices and any applicable certificates together. Clear records help future contractors understand what was observed, what was changed and which assumptions still need verification.
Build a maintenance plan from a baseline inspection of accessible external elements, internal finishes and building services. The review frequency should follow condition, exposure, manufacturer information and professional advice for the actual property.
Month 1 — Damp survey if any concerns
Planning and other decisions can add lead time before construction. Use the responsible body's current published service information for planning purposes, then keep design, procurement and construction allowances separate rather than presenting one generic duration.
During construction, coordinate structural work, first fix, closing-up, finishes and inspections around the actual method statement. Record the agreed management and reporting cadence, and update the programme when an approved change affects later work.
Month 1–3 — Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
During construction, coordinate structural work, first fix, closing-up, finishes and inspections around the actual method statement. Record the agreed management and reporting cadence, and update the programme when an approved change affects later work.
A responsible programme is built from the inspected scope, design status, approvals, procurement, access and dependencies between trades. Ask which dates are assumptions, which are controlled by third parties and what evidence supports the proposed sequence.
Month 1–3 — Survey roof and gutters
A responsible programme is built from the inspected scope, design status, approvals, procurement, access and dependencies between trades. Ask which dates are assumptions, which are controlled by third parties and what evidence supports the proposed sequence.
Planning and other decisions can add lead time before construction. Use the responsible body's current published service information for planning purposes, then keep design, procurement and construction allowances separate rather than presenting one generic duration.
Month 3 — Review planning history
A conservation designation does not answer every consent question by itself. Compare the proposed work with the current official guidance and property record, and obtain address-specific advice where the effect of the work is unclear.
Do not infer planning rights from an NW London postcode. Confirm the responsible authority for the exact address, then check current designation maps, Article 4 directions, planning history and any conditions before deciding whether the proposal needs an application.
Month 3 — Identify works that need planning permission
Do not infer planning rights from an NW London postcode. Confirm the responsible authority for the exact address, then check current designation maps, Article 4 directions, planning history and any conditions before deciding whether the proposal needs an application.
Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate processes. Depending on the exact property and scope, other matters such as listed building consent, freeholder approval or party-wall procedures may also need to be checked independently.
Ongoing — Servicing and maintenance schedule
Keep dated photographs, reports, invoices and any applicable certificates together. Clear records help future contractors understand what was observed, what was changed and which assumptions still need verification.
Build a maintenance plan from a baseline inspection of accessible external elements, internal finishes and building services. The review frequency should follow condition, exposure, manufacturer information and professional advice for the actual property.
Ready to discuss your project?
To discuss your project, call +44 20 7101 3168 or submit a brief online. We review the postcode, scope and current team availability before confirming the next step.