We have managed Devon and North Cornwall projects for clients based in London, the Netherlands, the UAE and Australia. The format that works: a structured weekly written update with photographs, a monthly progress report against budget, decisions consolidated into a single email per fortnight, and a video call as needed.

The discipline this requires also benefits projects where the client lives next door. Most domestic builds would be calmer if they were run as if the client lived overseas.

If you’re considering buying a project property remotely, an early conversation about how the build will be managed is well worth having.