«Return to Blog List Minimize Stress, Maximize Sanity
Building a home can be stressful in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or wherever you choose to build. Savvy homeowners choose a builder who will make it less so. But beyond making certain the construction company is licensed and insured and has provided a fair bid and a professional contract, how do owners determine whether a company will deliver on its promises and not tax their sanity? The answers lie in good systems. Companies with clearly defined management systems tend to be better organized, communicate more effectively and minimize unwanted surprises.
Three key systems that are key to a comfortable construction process have to do with communications, schedules and responsibilities.
Communications
A recent Consumer Reports survey of more than 900 homeowners confirmed that, when it comes to building projects, miscommunication is the root of most ills. That’s why smart builders have solid processes for keeping homeowners informed at all times. Signs of a company that communicates well include detailed project descriptions (leaving no question about what the finished product will include), the ability to explain financial concepts (where, exactly, the dollars are going) and regular meetings.
Meetings eliminate problems by getting everyone to think through the job. A good example is the pre-construction meeting, where the homeowner meets with the builder’s team to review plans, schedules and job rules. This is also a time for the homeowner to ask questions and make requests (for example that certain trees be protected during construction).
Ongoing meetings, at a schedule agreed on by the builder and homeowner, tend to be shorter and less formal, but keep everyone updated on job progress and let the homeowner voice concerns and questions.
Schedules and Payments
The old adage “fail to plan, plan to fail” may have been penned by a builder: regular updates to the schedule is crucial to getting things done on time and within budget. Of course weather delays, delivery problems, change orders, and other unforeseen events can shift production schedules over time, but a well-managed company starts with a plan and updates everyone should dates change.
Payment schedules are just as important. The builder receives a percentage of the job cost as a down payment, and subsequent monthly draws: payments are based on work complete, the finish of framing, the completion of mechanical and insulation inspections, etc.
Who, what, when?
John Kaltenbach Homes is a New Mexico custom builder. As a professional construction contractor in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, John Kaltenbach Homes invests time to help our clients understand how we run our company and manage our suppliers and subcontractors. Who to contact with questions or concerns, what’s the best way to make contact, and how long before you can expect a response?
Understanding how the builder handles these kind of issues has real payoffs. The answers will indicate how effectively a builder communicates, pays attention to details, and has systems for getting things done on time and according to plan — all of which help make the building process the positive experience it should be.
Tags: Albuquerque, builder, custom home construction, New Mexico, residential
Categories: Albuquerque, NM new home construction
