Questions and changes are common throughout the custom home building process. However, when handled incorrectly, they can cause delays in construction. Communicating clearly and making your requests known as soon as possible are both important steps to take. Doing just these two things helps avoid unnecessary delays and keeps your project running smoothly.
Be Mindful Of Your Deadline
When choosing materials and making decisions about sub-contractors, deadlines matter. Coordinate with your project manager, discuss these deadlines and develop a clear understanding about them. Ask for a breakdown of the steps associated with construction. If possible, have them outlined so that you understand what is happening when. If you have questions about the calendar, ask them early. When making choices about materials, try to do so in advance of when these items are needed.
Talk To Your Custom Builder
Many decisions are made in the design stage when building a custom home. Having a client change their mind about an initial choice is not uncommon. The Alair Homes Toronto team values client input. We understand that changes are sometimes necessary to achieve your vison of the perfect home. However, it is best to discuss any changes with your general contractor as early as possible. Communicate directly with your project manager. This helps to avoid misunderstandings and delays that are sometimes the result of speaking directly with a sub-contractor. This also provides your general contractor with the necessary information to discuss any additional costs or changes to the estimate. With that information in hand, making an educated decision about each change is made easier.
Even a simple request like asking your electrician to move a junction box even a few inches to the right can result in confusion. The sub-contractor may have to ask your carpenter to make several changes to the wall. Your framer must charge your builder for the additional time and materials. The whole ordeal could result in a surprise charge on your own bill or an unnecessary delay.
A second example is asking your flooring professional to change the size or style of your bathroom tile. Your project manager is in charge of ordering the materials, and asking the sub-contractor to make the change may result in increased costs or a delay.
Direct All Questions To Your Builder
Questions are common when clients spend time on the jobsite. Use your project manager as the key point of contact to ensure the information you are getting is accurate and up to date. Asking a sub-contractor about the cost of materials or when a specific item is scheduled for delivery can cause confusion and delays. While the professional might provide you with a well-intentioned response, their knowledge is typically limited to their trade. The things that other tradesmen are doing on the job can impact the correct answer too.
Asking sub-contractors informational questions puts them in a tough spot. Your workers want to be professional and deliver the service you deserve, but they must also answer to your builder and need to follow certain policies.
When building a custom home, having a clear line of communication with your general contractor is key to getting your questions answered in a timely and accurate manner. Remember that staying involved is not something to fear. In fact, builders like Alair Homes Toronto encourage your active participation. We also make communication seamless with the use of our proprietary online system. Our goal is to educate you, respond to your questions quickly and deliver the home of your dreams. Helping you to understand the best way to ask questions makes that all much easier.