Launch a successful construction project with these tips. Don’t let an unexpected delay, unreliable contractor or other issue get in the way of your next project. Whether you’re a homeowner planning your dream home or a general contractor looking to improve your business model, pick up a rotary laser level and follow these steps as you plan a new building. Improve your professional process or enjoy a convenient construction process for your dream home.
Choose the Right Team
It takes a team to build any structure. Residential or commercial construction projects require a range of designers, subcontractors and inspectors. Without the right team, you’ll likely encounter delays, poor performance and high costs. Too many projects are delayed or dramatically increase in price due to poor workmanship and other contractor-related issues.
Homeowners only have to find a reliable general contractor to ensure the rest of the assembled team is experienced and trustworthy. As a general contractor, you’ll need to carefully review local plumbers, carpenters, roofing experts and other professionals. A single subcontractor can stall the entire process and increase the cost of the project significantly, so invest in a team you can rely on before you break ground.
Once you gather the right team, establish clear lines of communication. A general contractor is the main hub of communication, so every subcontractor should speak directly to the general contractor. Any homeowner questions, complaints or concerns should also go through this professional, rather than directly to a subcontractor.
Spend Time Preparing the Property
Is the building site ready for a foundation? A mistake in the building location can create serious complications down the road. Use a rotary laser level and surveying equipment to carefully assess the building site. Any grading problems, soil concerns or wetland areas can be costly to resolve. In some situations, it may be better to adjust your building site rather than fix the area.
Consider any additional structures, walkways and driveways in the area as well. It’s much more affordable to perform all the necessary excavation and foundation work at the same time, rather than construct a main building and bring the entire excavation crew back out for further work.
Avoid Blockers and Other Delays
A blocker is a task that needs to be performed before other tasks can be. One example of a blocking situation is installing electrical lines before you can install fixtures or interior walls. One of the most important roles of a general contractor is to prevent blockers from stalling the entire process. No construction process is completely free from surprises, but a careful plan and a confident general contractor can avoid many of the most costly delays.
Prepare a detailed calendar before the process begins. Find out any scheduling issues with your contractors that you may need to work around. For example, your excavation team may be booked solid for two months in the middle of the summer. This means you’ll need to either break ground in the spring before this time or you’ll be delayed a full two months.
Other delays are caused by materials. If you don’t properly communicate with subcontractors, they may not be ready to start work in the window of time you’ve allotted them. A plumber may need a special-order shower stall, or a roofing team may not have the particular shingles in stock that you chose for the building. Early communication prevents these material-related delays.
Use Quality Construction Tools
Measure, calculate and plan better with quality construction tools. Create a solid construction plan with a rotary laser level and construction calculators by Engineer Supply. Enjoy affordable calculation and measurement tools to keep your construction process on budget and on schedule.
