5 Things to Look for When Sourcing Contractor Accommodation

Sourcing accommodation for a project team sounds simple - find somewhere close to site, make sure it's furnished, move in. In practice, poorly arranged contractor accommodation is one of the most common causes of avoidable friction on projects: people leaving mid-contract because the property isn't what was advertised, disputes with landlords that the project manager ends up handling, or sudden unavailability when the project extends.

Here are the five things that distinguish a well-arranged contractor accommodation setup from one that will cause problems.

1. The property has been verified, not just listed

Photos on a listing can be years out of date or taken to flatter. A verified property is one that someone has physically inspected - checked that it matches what's advertised, that it's clean and in good order, that the bills are as described. Ask any provider whether they inspect properties before placing workers in them. If the answer is no, or vague, treat that as a red flag.

2. Bills are genuinely included

'Bills included' is a phrase that covers a wide range. Some providers include utilities but not broadband. Some cap utility usage. Some include council tax and some don't. Get clarity on exactly what is included before agreeing to anything - unexpected bills arriving for workers mid-project cause disproportionate disruption.

3. There is a single point of contact who handles issues

When something goes wrong with a property - a boiler failure, a maintenance issue, a dispute - who does your team call? The answer should be one named person at your accommodation provider, who then handles everything with the landlord. If your workers are expected to contact the landlord directly, or navigate a general support inbox, issues will take longer to resolve and create more friction for your project team.

4. The arrangement can flex if the project changes

Projects extend, compress and change scope. The accommodation arrangement needs to be able to move with it. Ask specifically: what happens if we need to extend by 6 weeks? What if the team size increases by 2 people? What if we need to leave earlier than planned? A good provider will have clear, reasonable answers. A bad one will have a rigid contract that creates problems the moment anything changes.

5. The location actually works for the project

This sounds obvious, but 'close to site' is relative. A 40-minute drive is acceptable for a day shift but untenable for an on-call rota or early starts in winter. Think about the practical reality of the working pattern - not just the map distance. A good accommodation provider will ask about working hours and patterns before suggesting properties, not just postcode.