Start with the property and your priorities
Gather the address, current photographs, any existing plans and a clear list of what you want to change. Explain how you plan to use the property and which improvements matter most. Separate essential work from optional ideas so the first conversation has a useful starting point. If information is missing, identify what needs checking locally rather than treating assumptions as confirmed facts.
Define the scope before approving the work
Review the layout, interiors, materials and finishes together. Ask for a written proposal that sets out what is included, the budget, the schedule and payment stages. Clarify any exclusions and decisions that are still open. A shared scope makes it easier to assess a proposed change when you cannot visit the property yourself.
Agree who approves what
Choose who will approve the design, materials and changes, and how those approvals will be recorded. Agree a communication channel and a meeting rhythm that work across your time zones. If someone will visit on your behalf, clarify their role. Being available for decisions is part of planning a remote renovation, even when you are not on site.
Check practical requirements before starting
For an apartment, ask what information the building administration needs before work starts. Discuss access, deliveries and any requirements that could affect the schedule. Identify which permits or specialist reviews need to be considered for the proposed work. These details depend on the property and scope and should be confirmed during preparation.
Ask for context with progress updates
Photos are more useful when they explain what has been completed, what comes next and which decisions are needed from you. Agree the update format and frequency before construction begins. Keep the current scope, approvals and agreed changes in a shared record so both sides are working from the same information.
Record changes and plan the final review
When a change is proposed, ask how it affects the scope, cost and timing before approving it. At the end, agree how the completed work will be reviewed against the proposal and how any outstanding items will be recorded. Discuss whether you will attend the walkthrough or need another arrangement rather than leaving this until the last moment.
Start a conversation with Casas de 88
Mariana Ciro provides local construction expertise, with project conversations available in English or Spanish. Share the property location, what you would like to change and where you currently live. Use the project planner to prepare a brief, then review it before sending it to Mariana through WhatsApp.
