Making Good

Making good refers to the repair and restoration of surfaces — walls, floors, ceilings — after trades have done their work. When a plumber chases pipes into a wall or an electrician runs new cables, they leave behind channels, holes, and rough patches. Making good is the process of filling, patching, and finishing those areas so they look as though nothing was disturbed.

When making good is needed

Making good comes up at several points during a renovation:

• After first fix plumbing and electrical work, where cables and pipes have been routed through walls and floors
• After removing a wall or doorway, where the surrounding surfaces need patching
• After fitting new windows or doors, where gaps around the frame need filling and plastering
• After any work that disturbs existing plaster, tiles, or flooring

What does making good involve?

Depending on the surface and the extent of the damage, making good can include:

• Filling — using filler or plaster to close gaps, channels, and holes
• Plastering — skim-coating a wall to create a smooth, paintable surface
• Patching flooring — repairing floorboards or screed where pipes have been run
• Tiling repairs — replacing individual tiles that were removed to access services behind
• Redecorating — painting or wallpapering to match the existing finish

Why it matters in your quote

Making good is sometimes included in a trade’s price and sometimes not. For example, a plumber may chase a pipe into a wall but leave the plastering to someone else. Always check your quotation to confirm who is responsible for making good after each trade. If it is not explicitly mentioned, ask — otherwise you could end up with a finished kitchen and unplastered walls where the pipes were run.

A thorough snag list at the end of your project should pick up any making good that was missed or done poorly.