You should always speak to your neighbours before you start a renovation project, especially in a shared communal block. This won’t just prevent them getting upset further down the line, but there could also be a time when your tradesman needs emergency access to their properties.
I was away filming when my builder was renovating my London flat. He found a slow leak in my neighbours plumbing, which needed to be fixed to prevent damage to my ceiling. Thankfully he already had my neighbour’s details and was able to get the leak fixed quickly and easily. Having a good relationship with your builder and your neighbours is the key to a pain free renovation project.
To find a quality builder in your area simply post your job on RatedPeople.com, they’ll put you in touch with up to 3 tradesmen who will each will quote for your job. It’s then up to you to decide who to hire based on their ratings and recommendations from previous customers, price and your personal opinion of them.