Do’s and Don’ts for Homeowners During Pre-Construction
Everyone wants their construction project to go well, but few people are optimistic that it will. However, it IS possible for a construction project to go smoothly and to be a success. Here are some simple suggestions to follow during the pre-construction (between conception and job commencement) to set your project up for success.
DO make all your selections for finishes prior to the project breaking ground/demo. The construction process will start going very quickly once demo happens, and you will be asked for many deliverables. Do have everything prepared for when your project starts.
DON’T wait to make decisions until you are asked for the items or until the project is well underway. Be proactive and make your selections well ahead of time. Your project will go some much smoother if you make decisions ahead of time.
DO read your contract and understand your contract.
DON’T assume your contract is either fair or unfair. If you can’t tell, ask someone who understands contract language to look it over. Ideally, you will never have to consult your contract for enforcement and will be able to work out any challenges with good communication. DON’T get overwhelmed by the amount of material that your GC sends you. Often state law requires the GC to provide you with lots of documentation that is all meant for your protection. Laws governing construction (in the state of CA anyway) favor homeowners.
DO make sure you can pay for your project.
DON’T overextend your budget. You must be as realistic as possible from the outset about your available funds. Most “over-budget” projects come from homeowners adding things they hadn’t thought of at the outset of the project or realized would be convenient to have handled while construction was already happening. To get the clearest price on the totality of your project, make sure you have all your decisions made prior to having the job bid. Do not rely solely on your design professional’s estimation of what they think the job will cost.
DO be realistic about what construction costs.
DON’T depend on your contractor to curtail your spending. Specify as much as possible up front and get a price for the project. Look carefully at the estimate and make sure it contains everything you envision for your project. Ask questions and do not make assumptions about what is included or excluded. If you make changes that add to the scope, be prepared to pay for them. If you make deductions from the scope, find out how much they will be and ask for a credit.
DO get help! Use your architect, designer, construction helper and knowledgeable friends and neighbors as much as possible when faced with construction stress.
DON’T do this alone. Construction can be overwhelming. Make sure you have good friends, family and professionals (a therapist helps!) who can guide you through the process and support you. Identify these individuals prior to the beginning of your project and let them know that you may be calling on them for help and guidance. Do not rely entirely on your GC for information or solace.
DO allow yourself to be excited about your upcoming project. Do maintain a positive, can-do attitude. Remind yourself that it is a process and that you have made a great start. You are walking into the unknown, so acknowledge that you may have some trepidation. Also remind yourself that you have done a great job making decisions, selecting a contractor, being realistic about your budget, and preparing your home and your family for the pending disruption.
DON’T freak out or beat yourself up!
We are general contractors working in the San Francisco Bay Area. We provide exceptional remodeling services for projects of any size which we carry out with the highest quality and most fastidious attention to detail.