Outside, before day one
Cut back shrubs and creepers that touch the walls, ideally a week ahead so the plaster behind them can dry out. Anything growing against a wall keeps it damp and hides the surface we need to see.
Move pot plants, furniture and braai equipment away from the walls by about two metres. Clear a parking space near the work if you can, because carrying materials the length of a driveway all day slows everything down.
Tell us where the outside tap and the power point are, and whether either is on a timer.
Inside, before we start a room
Take down curtains, blinds, photographs and wall mounted televisions if you would rather handle them yourself. We will move furniture to the middle of the room and sheet it, but small valuables, electronics and anything fragile are better packed away by you.
Empty the tops of built in cupboards if the ceilings are being done. Clear the floor of anything you do not want walked around.
Point out anything with sentimental value early. We would far rather work around it carefully than find out afterwards.
Pets, children and gates
Wet paint, open gates and ladders are a bad mix with dogs and small children. Plan where the animals will be during working hours and let us know, so nobody props a gate open at the wrong moment.
If there is an alarm, a beam system or an electric fence near the work area, tell us how it is armed and who to call if it triggers.
What we handle
Sheeting, masking, protecting floors and paths, containing dust from sanding, and cleaning up at the end of each day. Removing and refitting light switch covers, handles and hardware where that is part of the scope.
You do not need to be home while we work, though we do like to walk the job with you at the start and again at the end so nothing is a surprise.
No pressure
If you would like a second opinion on your own property, we will come and look.
The inspection is free, you get the findings in writing with photographs, and you are under no obligation to do anything with them.