What to have in place before and during the first seven days of a domestic building job

The first week of a house extension or loft conversion sets the tone for the entire project.

Most domestic jobs don’t go off track because of bad workmanship. They go off track because the basics weren’t properly set up at the start – access, welfare, deliveries, neighbours, and sequencing.

This checklist focuses specifically on the first seven days of a domestic building project. It is not a full compliance checklist. It is a practical, experience-led guide to avoid the most common early mistakes.

Before day one: what to sort in advance

• Confirm site access routes with the homeowner
• Agree working hours and noise expectations
• Decide where materials will be stored
• Arrange skips and check if permits are required
• Plan welfare provision rather than relying on household facilities

Most first-week problems are easier to prevent than fix.

Days 1–2: establishing the site

The first couple of days should focus on setting the site up properly rather than pushing straight into heavy work.

• Clearly define working areas and boundaries
• Protect driveways, paths and gardens
• Position skips so they don’t block access
• Set up basic site welfare
• Carry out initial strip-out or enabling works

Taking time here usually saves time later.

Days 3–4: moving into structural stages

Once the site is established, work can move into more intensive stages.

• Structural openings or roof works
• Increased material deliveries
• Additional trades arriving on site

This is often when sites start to feel crowded. Good access and welfare arrangements become more important as numbers increase.

Days 5–7: settling into a routine

By the end of the first week, the site should feel controlled rather than chaotic.

• Access routes should be working smoothly
• Neighbours should understand what’s happening
• Welfare should be established and maintained
• Deliveries should be coordinated rather than reactive

If things already feel stressful by the end of week one, it’s usually a sign something basic has been missed.

Common first-week mistakes on domestic jobs

• Assuming the job will stay “small”
• Relying on the client’s toilet for too long
• Ordering too many materials at once
• Ignoring neighbour concerns early on
• Trying to rush setup to save time

These mistakes are common – and avoidable.

How this fits into proper site setup

This first-week checklist sits alongside broader site setup guidance.

If you’re looking for a wider overview, it’s worth reading:

• How to Set Up a Small Residential Building Site Properly

For a full, general checklist covering construction sites more broadly, you can also refer to your existing UK construction site setup checklist.

What to read next

Related guides in this series:

• Do You Need a Toilet on a Domestic Building Site?
• Can Building Work Be Stopped Without Proper Site Welfare?

Each article focuses on practical realities builders face on domestic projects, without unnecessary complication.