Monitoring the job

Keep tabs on how the job is going; if it's complicated arrange a regular half-hour with your builder on agreed days. If you have personal requirements, such as no radios or smoking, or you’d rather not share your toilet or kitchen facilities, make sure that these are known before the job begins, but bear in mind that having happy workers may help achieve a successful outcome, so try to compromise.

Always discuss how the builder's rubble will be disposed of, and when.

Finally, you don't necessarily want to be walking to and from the kettle all day. One solution is to set up a small area near the worksite with tea and coffee-making facilities that builders can use without going into your kitchen.