The Master Plan
Pragmatic Planning Today is Paramount in Building a Better Tomorrow
October 25, 2010
When designing the home of your future, whether it is a remodel or new construction, you will need to do the essential planning necessary in order to be certain that you assemble the right team to produce your vision and to respect your earned money.
The following is a master plan, written from years of experience, to help guide you in determining how to methodically prepare for your next project in a world where home remodeling and building is big business. Strive to search out the best individuals with a track record for being there after the check is written with professionalism, availability and customer service while making you and your project their number-one priority.
The Dream Team – Finding the perfect team to remodel or build your home is the most significant task at hand to ensure a successful project outcome. There will be many obstacles and hurdles to overcome as lead times get extended, products become back-ordered, and unforeseen circumstances are inevitable. As awful as it may seem, there are individuals out there who will not have your best interests at heart. It is imperative that you perform the due diligence required to insure all prospective players really are who and what they say they are. By checking out all necessary licenses, insurances, bonds, accreditations, certifications, references and testimonials, you will guarantee that each member of the team is the right professional for your project. The most important professional advice I can give is that you and your designer should view all of the prospective tradespeople’s past work to identify their level of expertise and attention to detail.
- Interior Designer – Selecting a qualified and licensed professional interior designer from the start when designing a home will not only save you money in the long run, but also your precious time throughout the project. Interior designers are experts at space planning, specifying furniture, choosing fixtures and finishes, as well as sorting through the endless number of resources available to consumers. Interior designers also have the ability to pass on handsome designer discounts to their clients and possess a broad base knowledge of all the trades involved to insure that everything is in order before the walls go up.
- Architect/Draftsman – In order to have your vision unfold successfully, you will need to have a set of blueprints prepared. These blueprints will translate your every wish into a command for the respective individuals who will be responsible for the implementation of your project. Whether you need to utilize the skill set of an architect or draftsman for these blueprints will be determined by the state your project is in.
- Engineer – By law, you may need an engineer , who will apply scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical issues. Engineers design materials, structures and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, safety and cost. You builder will notify you if one will be needed.
- Builder/General Contractor – The contractor is the leader of the project, standing on the very front line communicating with not only you, but also with the township, code offices and officials to make sure that every part of the project complies with city and state requirements and regulations. The builder will also be the dedicated project manager, responsible for making sure that all designs are meticulously followed as indicated by the approved plans and that all the subcontractors are performing to the best of their ability.
The Masters – The builder will supply the necessary subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, tile masters, cabinet manufacturers, etc.) to perform the necessary work on your project. Every builder has a pre-established chain-of-command and track record with the subcontractors, as these individuals directly influence the builder’s professional reputation. There is an age-old saying: “You get what you pay for,” and I cannot emphasize enough how perfectly that saying pertains to the home remodeling/building business. No matter how great your future home looks on paper, it will only turn out that way in real life if you hire the necessary masters to do it. Deals or bargains should be sought in materials, not the tradesmen installing them.
The “A” Game – Making sure that all of your team members perform to their top potential is a must! All projects are only as strong as their weakest link. You are the boss, as well as the one paying the invoices on the project, so your satisfaction with the quality of work performed is what will keep the project running on track and on time.
- Professionalism – Tradesmen need to show up on time, return phone calls and emails in a timely fashion, and respect your property as if it were their own. You need to feel as if your project is the most important task at hand, and you must be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, done right and done on time.
- Honesty/Integrity – Team members need to be emotionally present, listen to all questions and concerns, and offer their top professional advice as to what is best for the project – and not what is best for their profitability or the ease of completion. Everything worth doing is worth doing right, and the “right” people for the job will want their work be the best representation of themselves as well as to over-exceed your expectations.
- Follow Through – All players must do as they say they are going to do. Timelines and deadlines need to be met without excuses. In all cases, unforeseen circumstances can and will happen, so effective communication is required to keep the project on track.
Dazzling Duo – The relationship between you, as the homeowner, and the designer is crucial: Your project will be a short-term marriage, since many projects can take a year or more to complete. If you do not feel that you and you potential designer “click” at the initial interview, it would behoove you to continue your search. If you proceed with a designer who does not respect your valued time and opinions, it will be evident in the end result of the project. It is important to understand that your designer of choice needs to possess a delicate balance of personality, professionalism and talent all in one. Personality will allow you to enjoy spending time with your designer; professionalism will allow you to be respected; and talent will insure that your project is exactly what you envisioned and more.
After you have procured the perfect team – people who understand the goals of your project – you will be ready to begin turning your ideas into reality. Step-by-step, you will become confident that you not only are building toward a better tomorrow, but that you have possibly secured your own sanity.
Friend Shane on Facebook
Follow Shane on Twitter
Connect with Shane on Linkedin
See this blog on Chicago Now
