5 Steps to a Smooth-Running Construction Project

1. Don’t Skimp on Design Help

Given the busy lives most of us lead, we don’t have the time to research every type of technology and material that might be used on a construction project. Let Steadfast Construction save some of the time that would otherwise be spent learning and perfecting the process. Your budget might be tight, but we’ve seen time and time again that trying to save money on design actually can cost homeowners far more in the end, in dollars and frustration.

Homeowners often underestimate the cost and complexity of a home addition project. The cost of the design work on a project is something that homeowners may consider skimping on to save money, but we find that the best way to avoid problems in construction is to invest time with us up front to think about the construction process during design. This takes far less time than fixing mistakes that happen when the walls are going up.

We at Steadfast take the time to review your project in great detail by focusing on the layout of the project, how people will enter and exit the space, how furniture will be placed and other details on how to create an enjoyable atmosphere for the homeowner and those accessing the space.

Once we talk about our initial findings and your thoughts, you can opt to have us create custom CAD and 3D design deck drawings based on those ideas. These 3 dimensional images allow you the homeowner to get a clearer idea of their new space’s potential. If you already have a 3D deck design in hand, we are ready to bring your project to life. If you need help with planning, you can use our experience in creating master plans for projects.

Click here to learn more about our design process.

2. Become Part of the Team

Most people spend more time planning their next vacation than they do planning their house project. Not that planning a home addition project has to be a full-time job. Steadfast Construction can help you understand your role in the project as well as the contributions of other team members. That means participating in the process from the start so that you stay fully up to speed with what is happening throughout the project.

We’ve seen clients assume that we know what’s going on in their head and are surprised when something comes out different than what they were expecting. That’s why communication is important.

Steadfast Construction will assist you so you understand what is being communicated at each stage of the project. The best opportunity for this is during the design meetings. Remember, if you don’t understand something, ask. It’s better to get everyone on the same page early before a structure gets built that sticks out like a sore thumb.

3. Establish Your Goals and Refer Back to Them Frequently

Be ready to suggest ways to get what you want while avoiding potential problems down the road. If you can create a list of priorities, then when you are faced with challenging decisions during construction, you will be able to look back at your prioritized list to really focus on what will get you closer to your goal instead of what may be a costly distraction.

4. Establish Your Budget and Add at Least 10 Percent

Be sure to set aside a construction contingency for critical items. Due to the complexity of the construction process, unforeseen issues might come up. Without a contingency, you might find yourself short of cash when you really need it.

5. Don’t Get Attached to an Optimistic Timeline

Steadfast Construction will take the time to carefully plan and build your addition most efficiently. It takes time to work out the details of a project, so if you need to get the project designed and built very quickly, there might be situations that won’t be fully resolved in the design phase. There will always be elements that will need resolving onsite, but taking the time to do as much as possible on paper can reduce costs.