Describe your preparation as specific tasks
‘I will prepare everything’ does not explain what will actually be ready when work starts. List individual tasks instead: removing personal belongings, keeping the agreed storage area clear or gathering product documents. Also identify anything that should remain untouched.
Take on only tasks you can safely complete and that fit the agreed sequence. Heavy furniture, fixed components and unidentified materials are not automatically simple preparation. Resolve open questions before dismantling anything or buying supplies.
You can collect photos and preliminary measurements for the enquiry. Mark estimates clearly; the contractor commissioned to do so checks the critical dimensions for ordering and execution under your agreement.
Task table: prepare yourself, agree first or arrange a specialist
Use this table to allocate responsibilities. It is not blanket permission to perform a task: condition, access, manufacturer instructions and the intended work can introduce additional requirements.
| Task | Suggested allocation | Clarify first |
|---|---|---|
| Personal belongings and access | Prepare yourself where safely possible | Which areas and routes need to be clear? |
| Photos, measurements and documents | Gather yourself and identify uncertainties | Which details will the contractor check on site? |
| Materials and surface protection | Agree with the contractor | Which product, quantity and protection are suitable? |
| Removing furniture or old components | Agree the scope and feasibility first | Are there fixings, connections, heavy parts or unidentified substances? |
| Changing fixed electrical installations | Arrange an appropriately qualified and registered electrical contractor | Who handles the specified work and checks? |
| Working on gas installations | Arrange an appropriately authorised specialist contractor | Who assesses the installation, scope and work? |
| Installing or substantially altering drinking-water installations | Arrange the supplier or an appropriately registered installation company | Which requirements apply to this installation? |
| Changing structural or fire-protection elements | Obtain a specialist assessment before intervention | What design work, evidence or permissions are required? |
| Disturbing suspicious old building materials | Defer disturbance until a specialist has assessed the concern | Who investigates and determines the next steps? |
Electrical, gas and water installations have specific rules
Electricity: section 13 NAV generally requires a company entered in an installer register to install, extend or alter electrical installations. Its registration exception for certain maintenance work is not general permission for unqualified DIY work.
Gas: section 13 NDAV generally reserves work on gas installations to the network operator or an appropriately registered installation company. Do not plan such interventions as your own preparation for an assembly appointment.
Water: section 12(2) AVBWasserV specifies that installation and substantial alterations to the customer’s water installation are performed by the water supplier or an installation company entered in a water supplier’s installer register.
Specify separately whether the job involves assembling furniture or changing fixed installations. Ask for explicit confirmation of responsibility for connections and required checks. An agreement to position kitchen cabinets does not automatically include their technical connections.
Check the contractor’s authorisation for the actual work
Section 1 of the German Crafts Code requires registration in the Handwerksrolle for independently operating a regulated craft business. Classification depends on the activities actually performed. A general business registration therefore does not establish every craft authorisation a job may require.
Ask whether the proposed contractor’s scope and required registrations cover your job. Depending on the work, qualifications or supplier-specific registrations may also matter. A business name such as ‘assembly service’ does not answer those questions.
Commercial requirements for a hired provider are distinct from your private preparation. They do not establish that every task is permitted as DIY work at home. The technical and legal limits of the particular task still apply.
Resolve concerns about materials and building elements first
Removing, sanding or drilling old layers can involve more than preparatory help. If hazardous materials are suspected, stop the planned disturbance and have suitable specialists assess the situation. Do not take material samples yourself for this purpose.
Darmstadt’s regional authority points to qualified specialist companies and particular requirements for asbestos work. A mask or a brief instruction from the later assembly contractor does not replace that assessment.
Also obtain a specialist assessment before changing potentially load-bearing elements or elements with a fire-protection function. Do not remove them beforehand simply because they appear to obstruct the planned installation.
Agree the result, deadline and handover of preparation
For each agreed task you take on, describe the condition to be achieved, the deadline and who reviews it before the next stage. ‘Shelf emptied and personal belongings removed’ is clearer than ‘room ready’. The responsible contractor assesses technical suitability.
Agree products and accessories before buying materials. Clarify who checks suitability and quantity, where supplies should be placed and how missing or unsuitable items will be handled. Protection materials and packaging disposal also need an agreed responsible person.
Do not assume an automatic discount for tasks you take on yourself. Ask the quote to identify any item removed and agree what happens if preparation is incomplete or the appointment needs changing. Discuss changes directly with the contractor carrying out the work.
A template for discussing responsibilities
Use these lines as a starting point. Responsibilities are allocated as you actually agree with the contractor; writing your own task list does not confirm a commission.
- I will handle: [specific preparation, affected area and intended final condition].
- Ready by: [date and time]; if this is not possible, I will inform [contact].
- The contractor will handle: [work, materials, protection and finishing as quoted].
- To arrange separately: [specialist task and proposed suitable provider].
- To check first: [dimensions, substrate, connections, unidentified materials or other prerequisites].
- Please confirm the allocation and its effect on price and timing in writing.
HandMen’s role in this process
Describe the preparation you would like to take on and the work you need in your referral enquiry. HandMen provides online marketing and enquiry referrals. Before forwarding your data, we identify the specific independent partner and obtain your separate consent.
You agree the quote, contract, task allocation, planning, work, invoice and payment directly with that contractor. Direct work-related questions and complaints to them as well. HandMen does not carry out work, inspect your preparation or provide technical construction supervision.
