Whether you’re about to start a new construction project, or to renovate an existing space, there are many factors you as the owner need to consider. A professional general contractor’s primary job is to ensure your construction project runs smoothly and that your best interests are looked after from start to finish.
There are a few vital things you should keep in mind to make sure your project gets underway and is completed within a predetermined time period and is completed with minimal surprises. These include establishing a reasonable budget prior to commencing work, creating a baseline schedule that meets the project’s required completion deadline, hiring trusted professional trades, and documenting all communication relating to scope, schedule and budget.
There are some common mistakes every owner must avoid during the construction process to ensure there are no surprises during or after the project is complete. The following are just a few of the common mistakes you should avoid.
Lack Of Proper Planning
Without a plan you are planning to fail. Effective planning plays a key role when it comes to construction project management. It helps you to keep your construction project on track and achieve desired results. It also helps identify if things may be going astray so that you and your contractor can react quickly to get back on track.
Not establishing a thorough plan can severely affect your projects schedule and budget. The following are common mistakes you want to avoid.
Poor Communication
Consistent communication throughout the construction process is key to the success of any project. Nonetheless, not all business owners realize how vital it is to have a conversation with their contractors about the project’s budget, timeline, goals, and expectations. Reliable construction contractors will always encourage open communication to help keep everyone on the same page throughout the project.
To avoid this issue, you must have an open and honest discussion with your project team, including your contractor and design team to set expectations for each party. Set the tone right for communication, frequency of updates, and holding everyone accountable for their commitments. This will help your project team to remain on schedule and be ready for regular updates during the process.
Not Having A Contingency Budget
Even a well planned and thought out construction project can experience its fair share of unanticipated surprises. Having a contingency budget inline in your project budget is vital to avoid any surprises down the road. The size of the contingency can vary anywhere from 5% to 25% depending on the type and size of project and the level of detail that was developed during the planning stage. Ensure that you have adequate funds available to cover any unanticipated costs, otherwise your project may experience strain if these unexpected items present themselves.
Choosing Cheap Construction Services
One of the most significant mistakes many businesses make is to select their contractor primarily on low price. While you may feel that you will save money by investing in low-cost services, you might have to sacrifice heavily on the quality of work the lower cost contractor provides. You may also experience added costs later in the project that you were not expecting.
An experienced construction contractor may cost you a little more. However, they will advise you about your choices and provide you with high-quality work to save a significant amount of money in the long run.
BelVan Construction is a leading commercial contractor that provides its clients with outstanding construction services across Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Visit our website to learn more about our expert contracting services or contact us for customized care.
