5 MAIN ISSUES

#1. Underbid estimates.

These are cost estimates that do not accurately reflect the scope and extent of the work to be performed. A contractor who is losing money on your project simply cannot perform all the steps necessary to insure your project turns out as you expect. Accepting the low bid is generally the biggest mistake an owner can make.

#2. Incomplete plans and specifications.

Construction plans must include enough information and details for your contractor to adequately estimate the project. Beware of “allowance” line items on your contract. Make sure you clearly understand just what that allowance will actually buy you in the marketplace -- you might end up quite disappointed when you go to purchase your kitchen cabinets and find your “allowance” is not nearly enough to buy the cabinets you wanted. Contractors who come to you later and tell you “it wasn’t on the plans, so I didn’t put it in my estimate” are at best doing you a disservice, and at worst are putting you in a real financial difficulty.

#3. Projects that are not managed properly.

Managing a construction project is like holding a tiger by the tail. There’s a lot going on, and if you don’t watch what you’re doing, you can really get hurt. General contractors must negotiate with 20 or more subcontractors and suppliers, write contracts and change orders, verify and pay invoices, and make sure all the necessary paper work is properly completed.

#4. Projects that are not supervised properly.

Good supervision is crucial.  No matter how well the three previous things are done, if the project does not have sufficient on-site supervision, the chances of the project being done correctly are slim. I could write a book on this subject, but I’m too busy helping clients fix the damage done by badly supervised construction projects.

#5. Incompetent contractors.

These are contractors who take on projects for which they do not have the resources, experience or knowledge to bid accurately or to complete successfully. Even though the state requires a contractor’s license, they don’t say you have to have experience on all types of projects. There is very little pre-qualifying required to obtain a California state contractors license. Be sure your contractor has the necessary skills to execute your project properly.

Notice how up to this point, I haven’t ever, not once, mentioned anything about driving a nail into a piece of lumber. Nothing about how to install a window, how to plumb a kitchen sink. Why?

Because the work of doing the work is more work than the work.

The five issues listed above, the ones that will help guarantee your project turns out like you envisioned, take more work and energy than the actual physical work of construction. If these five things are done right, construction is the easy part. Work is completed on time, on budget and to the highest standards of workmanship. I have found in my over 38 years of experience, if these five areas are handled with great care, the bulk of the hard work is done.