Remote riad renovation: organise records and decisions

Establish the reference pack

When following a riad renovation from abroad, first identify the documents everyone is using: available drawings, specification, quotations and programme. Record the date and version of each. Ask who updates them and how a superseded version will be identified. This makes conversations easier to follow without approving the design or the work itself.

• List documents received, outstanding and superseded.
• Identify a contact for each technical question.

Give photographs context

Propose dated photographs with a room reference, an overall view and the relevant detail. Repeat viewpoints to follow one area over time. Ask what was not visible or accessible when the pictures were taken. Images help discuss observations; they do not enable an absent owner to certify an installation or diagnose a defect.

• Connect each image with a task or question.
• Ask the relevant professional which checks require an on-site inspection.

Record proposed changes before deciding

RICS guidance addresses changes and project roles after a construction agreement. To prepare your conversations, propose a separate record for each change: initial request, reason, affected document, technical response required and any effect on cost or timing that needs clarification. Make unanswered impact questions visible rather than treating them as agreed.

• Separate requested, examined, accepted and reported-complete changes.
• Keep the response and the relevant document-version reference together.

Clarify what completion means

For each stage reported as complete, ask which deliverable and check demonstrate that status. Keep purchase evidence, reported progress and technical verification separate. Carry remaining questions into the next site visit. The actual programme, responsibilities, permissions and payment arrangements for a particular project need to be established with the professionals responsible for that project.