Often overlooked issues that can save homeowners tremendously
Most people think of concerns like budget, floor-plan, schedule and item selections when building or remodeling a home but there are some key items that many people overlook when building which could have tremendous impact of if your project runs smoothly or becomes a disaster. These include:
1. Contract Issues First make sure you have a contract with your builder and architect with as much detail as possible prior to starting and then make sure you read and understand the complete contract. Often clients don’t understand their contracts until there is a dispute at which time it is too late to ask questions.
2. Ground Rules Have a meeting prior to starting to agree on ground rules for the project including what times of day can work begin and end, who to contact in case of emergencies, how to protect valuables left in the home or if they should be moved off-site during construction, can the worker’s use one of your bathrooms or will there need to be a rental toilet, how to access the house or job-site including is it acceptable to use a lockbox and an agreement on a plan to minimize dust and noise in your house during the project.
3. Completion Date Determine an estimated completion date with the understanding it may change due to issues like changes in the scope of the project and delays due to weather or materials not being available when needed. If there is an event when the project needs to be completed like a graduation or wedding make sure this date is communicated prior to starting and allow time for delays to insure your home will be ready when needed. An experienced contractor will tell you if a job can be completed in time for your event or if you should wait to start until after the event. Don’t use another contractor just because they promise to get a project done quicker as you may end up with poor workmanship or get a contractor who tells you what you want to hear to be hired but who then doesn’t meet your timeline anyway.
4. Unexpected Construction Issues Many issues may come up that will not be apparent when a job begins. These may include things like finding mold or other environmental issues, unsafe electrical wiring or leaking or damaged plumbing found behind walls, difficult soil conditions or finding an existing house is not built the way the plans shows it was built. In the contract and your discussions prior to starting address how these types of situations will be resolved with your contractor.
5. Insurance Make sure your contractor is licensed and insured and that you have the proper insurance of your own to protect yourself including potentially a type of insurance called “Course of Construction Insurance” if required for your job. Always speak with your agent prior to starting a project.
6. Children and Pets Make sure you address all items relating to children and pets prior to starting a remodeling project including most importantly how they are going to be kept safe during the project.
7. Change orders and budget contingencies On most jobs owners add items to the scope of work or make more expensive selections then originally budgeted. Changes also may occur that need to be made in order to properly complete the job. therefore, have a section in your contract addressing how change orders will be handled and keep a contingency fund for unexpected items of at least 15% of the total budget so you don’t run out of money during the project due to extras or unexpected items and so you can afford to purchase selections you want to make your project perfect for you.
