When you manage your renovation project on your own, mistakes can quickly add up. From misaligned trim to incorrect door installations, a general contractor is the key to making sure all of your renovation projects run smoothly.
A mistake can void a contract in law or equity, but it is very difficult to prove. Sweeten contractors report that approval steps are the most commonly overlooked factor. Visit General Contractors in Nashville TN to learn more.
1. Not Having a Plan
If you’re thinking about a construction project, or even smaller upgrades like bathroom remodeling, it is essential to find the right contractor. A general contractor, or GC, manages the specialized aspects of a construction job like procuring materials and obtaining permits. They also handle the scheduling and coordination of multiple tradespeople, so a renovation goes as smoothly as possible.
However, the wrong contractor can derail your entire project. That’s why it is crucial to meet with a few contractors and do your homework before making a decision. Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to source trusted builders for your next project. Thanks to online review platforms, contractor directories, and social media profiles, you’re likely to be able to find a qualified contractor with the experience and expertise needed to complete your project on time and on budget.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is underestimating the amount of time it takes to navigate approvals. For example, when one homeowner re-did her living room with new wood planks in her East Village apartment, she thought the Department of Buildings and her co-op board would process her simple application quickly. But when her crew arrived with a truck full of wood, she learned that the company had not yet received her required insurance certificate—which can add weeks to your timeline.
Managing multiple tradespeople without the help of a GC can be challenging, especially when you need someone to come back later to touch-up or repair work. The best way to avoid these types of headaches is to hire a professional who guarantees their work and has been in business long enough to have a proven track record. To simplify the search process, AD will soon launch an online directory of vetted and verified contractors who are licensed to work in your area, and can be searched by their professional specialty and geographic region.
2. Not Having a Budget
While it may seem counterintuitive, setting a budget at the beginning of the project is critical. It reduces stress, aligns expectations, and establishes a quality standard for the finished product. Without one, clients can end up with unexpected costs or buyer’s remorse.
Creating a realistic budget also helps prevent overspending. By establishing a list of must-haves and non-negotiables, you can identify where cost cuts can be made without compromising the integrity of the finished product. It is important to communicate openly with your general contractor about your financial constraints so that they can help you find solutions that fit within your budget.
Even the best-run projects encounter surprises — a hidden plumbing reroute, framing adjustments, shipping delays, and so on. By building in a contingency fund of 10-20%, you can save your project from stalling and save money on unexpected expenses.
Unfortunately, many contractors struggle with a lack of real-time data on project costs. Static spreadsheets can’t keep pace with the unpredictability of construction, and traditional ERP systems fail to provide a full picture of the current state of the project. Without these insights, decisions become more reactive than strategic, which leads to costly mistakes and lost profits. Using data to forecast project costs, like labor and material prices, supplier discounts, and subcontractor rates, can empower contractors to make informed choices that avoid delays, overspending, and budgetary disasters.
3. Not Having a Schedule
For those who haven’t had experience with construction projects, it can be difficult to understand why a residential general contractor is necessary. A GC oversees nearly every aspect of the renovation and construction process. They hire the professionals whose skills are needed for your project, from electricians and plumbers to painters and flooring installers, then they schedule those professionals to work in an order that will ensure the project is completed efficiently. They also handle all the paperwork for obtaining permits, dealing with zoning and entitlements, and working with various regulating bodies that oversee licensing and insurance requirements.
A GC also helps you save money. They often have long-standing relationships with vendors and suppliers, so they can negotiate prices. They are also experts in the field and know how to plan projects to avoid unforeseen costs.
If you have a smaller project, like a small number of unit make readies that can be done by in-house staff or maintenance crews, a GC is not necessary. However, if your renovation requires multiple tradespeople, it’s worth hiring a GC to take the stress out of the process and save you time, money, and headaches.
4. Not Having a Team
A general contractor is the hub of your construction project. They will assemble the best team of subcontractors and tradespeople to execute your construction plans. If you try to source all of these individuals yourself, it can be difficult to ensure that each trade is qualified for the job.
Also, if you’re trying to find all of these builders on your own, you might not have access to the same rolodex that your GC has built over time. The GC’s network of contractors can save you an immense amount of time in the hiring process.
Not every construction project needs a GC, but any significant renovations like updating multiple apartments in a multifamily building or a retail tenant buildout require the services of one. By taking a proactive approach to the sourcing process, you can ensure that your GC is well equipped to handle your project’s challenges and deliver a successful outcome. This will help make your construction experience as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. The end result is a space that meets your expectations, not just a check in the box.
5. Not Having a Quality Control Plan
A quality control plan is vital for construction projects to ensure that workmanship and materials comply with project specifications. It should be based on industry standards and procedures and adapt to the project’s needs.
A well-written QC plan identifies key personnel and defines roles and responsibilities. It also outlines inspection schedules, testing methods, documentation systems, communication protocols and how non-conformances will be identified, reported and resolved.
Typical QC plans include a basic organizational chart and supplemental pages with resumes, certifications and test data. They will also identify where these QC activities will be performed and when. The GC’s ability to respond quickly to changes or errors will be determined in part by how soon it can receive and review submittals. Submittals are typically shop drawings, material samples and mockups that verify how proposed work will meet design intent. They are sent by the subcontractors to the GC for review and approval. Oftentimes, items that don’t match the specs are caught during this process before they end up on the jobsite, saving costly rework down the road.
When evaluating candidates for your next renovation, consider their approach to problem-solving and collaboration. Effective QC contractors are able to communicate clearly with architects, engineers and other team members to identify and resolve issues.
Forty percent of Sweeten contractors reported that homeowners underestimate the time and cost for getting approvals. From demanding co-op boards to Department of Buildings requirements, it can take three to four months to get started on a home improvement project. That is why it is important to hire a general contractor with experience in your neighborhood and who can guarantee that their team will work effectively with local inspectors, zoning officials and other government agencies.
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