New Construction and Remodeling can require extensive planning and detailed preparation. It’s important to be prepared and know what to expect when undertaking a project of this magnitude. There are a lot of moving pieces and phases that will take place in your home which are disruptive, noisy, and dusty. There will also be stages of the project that will seem as if progress has come to a complete standstill. It is frustrating to a homeowner, especially when the framing work goes up in a matter of weeks and then progress seems to come to a stop. You may find yourself standing there, wondering Why?
There are specific phases to any construction process, be it new construction or renovation. The process of getting the different trades through the home for the plumbing, rough-ins, dry wall, paint and the HVAC may seem to drag on and appear as if very little is being accomplished. On the outside, it may seem that way but on the inside, on the builder and contractor side, it isn’t necessarily so. There are contracts and orders being signed for your project. There may also be delays and since orders must be of precise quality and amounts, this process is what is taking place behind the scenes, where the homeowner may not see them. Shipment of materials may be late or incorrect, delayed by bad weather in other regions at their point of distribution, or in the process of breaking into a wall, there is an unexpected discovery made and the design/layout has to be adjusted or additional modifications must be made to the project. Contractors can’t see through walls. There are many variables and many unknowns with these processes. With new construction, it is similar with the exception that there are no walls being demolished or moved. It is the process of clearing land, framing a foundation, aligning the plumbing drain lines and any in-ground electrical receptacles, pouring and curing of the foundation, then framing. Once those are completed, installation of the electrical and plumbing lines inside the walls begin. Then drywall and paint.
In any renovation or new construction project, the homeowner will reach an low of upset after the contracts have been signed. This is when the first of the material orders are taking place. Permits, alignments of contractors from different trades, raw materials such as lumber, sand, and concrete. The homeowner will reach their first emotional high of excitement when the framing begins. There will be an emotional low when the next phase of materials has been signed for. The contracts for material finishes are being signed behind-the-scenes and because these are the ones of specific quality and quantities, it may seem drawn out. The emotional high resumes when the installation of cabinetry and flooring begins along with the installation of plumbing fixtures.
These are are normal processes in any project.
The following chart is something that can show you what areas and phases are the most testing on a homeowner’s patience. Builders, Designer Professionals and Contractors should put themselves in the homeowner’s shoes and lay everything out clearly for them so they know what they can expect throughout the process. Also, it is important that a homeowner put themselves in the contractor’s shoes, in order to create an open line of communication between the two parties. The nature of these projects require complete teamwork from all parties involved to run a smooth process.
Please take a moment to review the chart. We feel it will assist you in realizing what you will feel while undertaking a new build, addition, remodel or renovation.
