The Clinic Journal
Every decision on a building project, written down in plain English
19 articles, one for each decision the Clinic tracks — in the order they actually arrive. Read whichever one matches the decision in front of you today.
Thinking about it
Working out what you want, what it might cost and whether it is realistic.
What problem is this project actually solving?
Write down, in three sentences, what has to be different when the work is finished.
High risk · Before any design work is commissioned.What is your true budget ceiling?
Set the number you will not pass, then hold 10–15% of it back as contingency.
Worth care · Early — ideally before you pay for a design.Have you checked what the site will allow?
Boundaries, drains, trees, access and services decide what is buildable before taste does.
Design and permissions
Drawings, planning, building regulations and party wall matters.
Who designs it, and how far do they take it?
Decide whether your designer stops at planning or carries on through construction.
High risk · Before you submit anything, and before you invite quotes.Planning permission or permitted development?
Establish the route in writing before drawings are finalised.
Worth care · At least two months before work starts.Does a party wall notice apply?
If you build on, near or into a shared wall or boundary, your neighbour must be notified.
Getting quotes
Inviting builders, comparing prices properly and understanding exclusions.
Are all builders pricing the same thing?
Write one scope document and send exactly that to every builder.
High risk · After you have compared like-for-like quotes.Which builder do you appoint?
Price is one of five tests. Evidence, availability, insurance and communication matter as much.
Worth care · As soon as you have two or more quotes.Have the quotes been checked properly?
Run every quote through the Quote Clarity Check before you agree anything.
Contract and start
Agreeing terms, payment stages, programme and insurance before work begins.
What are you actually signing?
A quote is not a contract. Agree terms that cover price, programme, variations and disputes.
High risk · Agreed in the contract, before the start date.How and when do you pay?
Tie every payment to completed, visible progress — never to the calendar.
Worth care · Before you commit to moving out, storage or a completion-dependent date.When does it start and how long will it take?
Get a written programme with a start date, key milestones and an end date.
On site
Running the build: progress, variations, payments and quality.
How do you handle changes once work has started?
Nothing gets built until the change is priced and agreed in writing.
Worth care · Usually six to eight weeks before first fix.When do you lock your finishes and fittings?
Choose kitchens, tiles, sanitaryware and flooring well before the builder needs them.
High risk · Every single payment request.Should you pay this request?
Check the work claimed is genuinely complete before releasing anything.
High risk · Foundations, drainage, structure, insulation, before completion.Are building control inspections happening at the right times?
Certain stages must be seen before they are covered up.
Finishing and handover
Snagging, certificates, retention and aftercare.
What counts as finished?
Agree the snagging process and what money is held until snags are cleared.
Worth care · At handover, not months later.What paperwork must you end up holding?
Certificates, guarantees, manuals and as-built information — collected before final payment.
Worth care · At handover.What happens if something goes wrong afterwards?
Agree the defects period, what it covers, and how you raise a problem.
When reading is not enough
Put it to work on your own project
Run the readiness and protection checks, compare your quotes and get the homeowner checklist by email so the questions are in front of you when you need them.