Over half of all contractors have had at least one project that has failed. According to a 2015 survey by KPMG, most of these failures were attributed to personnel issues. For the homeowner, this means you need to carefully screen a home-improvement contractor to find out how well the contractor stays on schedule and what remedies there are for him not meeting a deadline.
Construction projects require a significant investment in time and money, and renovation projects can be extremely stressful if not properly planned and with the help of general contractors westchester. Here is a list of the seven most common causes of delays for home renovation projects and how to avoid setbacks:
Problem One: Underestimating Costs
One of the most frequent, and expensive, reasons for a home renovation project to get off track is inaccurate estimates. Specification errors, miscalculations, omissions, excluded or forgotten permit requirements and varying market prices for such things as materials costs and labor all contribute to cost overruns. These can leave both the contractor and homeowner very stressed and unhappy.
Solution: Better Estimates
A good contractor will double and even triple-check their numbers to prevent errors and cost overruns. The homeowner should insist on an itemized bid and triple check the contractor’s numbers.
A detailed checklist and project plan can guarantee omissions and catch mistakes. Both parties should be aware of and agree on every dollar before a contract is signed. This provides ample opportunities to catch cost increases and decide how to handle the extra costs. Additionally, there are several free cost-estimation software programs available online to help check all figures.
Problem Two: Scope Creep
Scope creep expresses how the amount of work increases beyond the original estimate. The three main reasons for scope creep are:
- The client makes additional requests that were not included in, or are outside the scope of, the original agreement.
- Unforeseen conditions arise that the contractor was unaware of at the time the contract was signed.
- Clients not having thorough preliminary work completed. This can include proper planning and site surveys.
Solution: Put All Details in Writing
Homeowners are responsible for performing adequate due diligence during the planning phase. The contractor can hardly be held accountable if the clients suddenly changes their mind halfway through a bath renovation and decides they want Italian marble instead of porcelain-tile countertops. However, sometimes scope creep happens from a legitimate misunderstanding, such as the homeowner believing what they are asking for is part of the work that was originally agreed upon. In either case, communication is critical and a good reason to have every detail carefully spelled out in writing before any work begins.
Problem Three: Permitting Delays
Construction site regulations and permit delays can slow the timeline for a project down to a crawl. These can also be the cause of costly overruns, if not planned for properly.
Solution: Plan Ahead
It is important to thoroughly evaluate the job area and understand all rules, regulations, and requirements before starting a construction project. To keep your project on track, make sure all permits are in order before any work begins.
Problem Four: Surprise Conditions
Conditions that are not known, like having bedrock where a foundation must be dug, can become an immediate and expensive problem. While these issues can easily be overlooked in the planning process, not looking for potential problems will almost always result in costs overruns and added risks.
Solution: Always Check for the Worst-Case Scenario
While things like extreme weather and natural disasters cant necessarily be accounted for, looking to see if the house has asbestos insulation that will require remediation are not that difficult to check for, provide someone thinks to check for it. Here is where hiring an experienced contractor who has probably dealt with enough surprises to know what to look for. Still, homeowners should make a list of every possible thing they can think of that might go wrong and discuss the list with their contractor.
Problem Five: Financing Issues
Once the scope of work and a project timeline have been agreed on it is imperative that there is enough financing in place to see the project through to completion. Running out of money part way through the project can result in construction being stalled indefinitely until more money is secured.
Solution: Create and Stick to a Budget
Running out of money is unnecessary and shouldn’t be an issue if adequate financing is in place before the project is started and the agreed upon costs are maintained. A comprehensive and detailed plan will eliminate the need to have to scramble for additional funding.
Problem Six: Undependable Workers
A lack of reliable workers or subcontractors is a perfect formula for disaster on any construction project. It is critically important to investigate all subcontractors, and this is especially important for the homeowner who decides to be their own general contractor. Here a sheetrock contractor can’t proceed until the electrical contractor is done and the flooring contractor can’t start until the plumbing contractor is finished.
Solution: Vet and Build Relationships
Working with subcontractors you have previously done business with is the best way to reduce the risks as you already know if they are reliable. If you don’t have the luxury of using people you have previously worked with, both the contractor and the homeowner should vet every subcontractor that will be performing work. Once the workers have been thoroughly checked out, building a professional relationship with them will help keep them on track. Additionally, as a safety precaution, there should be a service guarantee as a liquidated damages clause in every contact.
Problem Seven: Poor Communication
Vague specifications can quickly turn into a costly issue of miscommunication. Neither homeowners nor contractors are able to read minds, so being able to communicate clearly is the key to everyone ending up happy.
Solution: Make Time to Talk and Listen
Homeowners don’t always understand everything, and many don’t want to admit it for fear of looking ignorant. Contractors need to keep this in mind and not be in a hurry or dismissive when meeting with clients. Homeowners need to be sure they are expressing their desires clearly and not allow themselves to be intimidated by the contractor’s experience and expertise.
By following these guidelines you can eliminate losing time and exceeding costs, and both parties will end up happier in the long run. If you need assistance with estimating a project or bathroom Renovations Unique Design Brisbane give us a call.
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