Record the starting condition together
Marble, timber, old floor finishes and joints need different consideration. Ask for dated views of the existing condition and identify delicate surfaces or previous damage. “There is flooring” is not a useful specification for protecting it.
Agree which furniture moves, who moves it and where it goes. Remove small valuables from the work zone. If the agent is handling access, give them the same inventory so a cupboard full of belongings does not become a surprise when the crew arrives.
Specify a protection system, not just a sheet
Discuss suitable covering, edges, joins and the walking route. Tape choice and removal timing must be compatible with the actual finish and the product instructions. No generic tape can be assumed safe for every stone, varnish or painted edge.
Request a photograph before work starts. It provides a shared record when you cannot visit. Agree a protected place for tins and tools and how coverings stay in position during the job. The right arrangement depends on the work, rather than one decorative photograph of a perfectly wrapped room.
If you are approving work remotely, ask to see protection before painting starts.
Include the shared route through the building
Ask the building contact about lift use, access hours and common areas. Material transport is subject to the building’s rules and the equipment’s limits. Your contractor and agent should know the agreed route before delivery, not negotiate it with a neighbour at the door.
Any agreed lift protection must leave doors, controls and exits clear. Containers should travel closed and secured. Opening or mixing paint belongs in the agreed work area, not the lift cabin. Keep tools out of residents’ circulation routes throughout the work.
Make removal and handover part of the quote
Identify who removes the coverings, when that happens and what clearing-up is included. Review floor edges and the transport route against the starting photographs. If your agent accepts the work, send them the scope and any points that still need checking.
For an occupied flat, agree when each area returns to use and keep children and pets away from work and material storage. Product requirements and work separation belong in that plan. A remote update should show practical progress, not just a freshly coloured wall.
Three questions before you start
Is a plastic sheet enough for the floor?
Protection depends on the floor, work and foot traffic. Agree suitable covering, edges and the transport route for the actual property.
Can the crew use the building lift?
This must be confirmed against building rules, equipment limits and safe transport arrangements.
Can I see the protection while abroad?
Ask for photographs before work starts. The remote service includes daily photo/video updates during the work.
FROM THE GUIDE TO YOUR PROPERTY
Start with your neighbourhood, the work and a few photographs. We communicate in English. An enquiry is not a booking.
Tell us what needs protecting