There is no such thing as a “sure thing” in business, especially when it comes to having a custom-built home. That statement is not made to scare you off the venture, quite the opposite. It is said just to warn you that when it comes to construction, there are definitely some risks, but with a good residential construction project manager and a reputable builder, those risks can be minimized.
Here are some of the top areas of concern when it comes to “risk” for a custom home build:
Design
One of the reasons you are even considering a custom-built home is that you want it designed in a very specific way. Your builders, contractors, and project manager will do their best to ensure this happens, but it may be unrealistic. Areas of impact on this could be the budget, the area where the build is taking place, and the resources available. One way to minimize design impact is with a 3D image virtual walkthrough, which enables you to see a completed project, costs, and challenges before ground is broken on the project.
Delays
Delays are always a risk, but even they can be minimized based on the time of year that the project is set to begin. Cold and wet weather are the biggest challenges on this front, but there are other possible issues, such as supply chain delays and labor. Every project is bound to have a delay or two, but a good project manager can minimize this by anticipating challenges and adapting the schedule to keep the project as close to on time as possible.
Pricing Commitments
Supply chain issues can sometimes impact the cost of the build, and there are times you may be required to pay those extra costs because of these challenges. We encourage you to review the contract with an attorney to ensure you are aware of all the “fine print” that could cost you money rather than have those excess costs go to the builder. This is another reason to hire a residential construction project manager who can ensure the builder is not padding the final bill with excessive costs that should never have been passed onto you as the buyer.
Conflict
A home construction project obviously has a lot of moving parts, most of them involving people. When you have this many individuals working on a project, there is bound to be some conflict. Conflict resolution would fall under the project manager’s duties, so that is yet another reason to hire one for the build. Otherwise, you could find yourself dealing with personality and scheduling conflicts almost daily.
We cannot stress enough how important it is to have someone on your team with experience in this matter because if the conflict grows to a certain point, it could result in the project being delayed or outright canceled by the vendors. That would lead to lawsuits, which you obviously do not want to have happen.
Building a custom home is a complex undertaking, so we would love to talk to you about becoming your residential construction project manager or consultant. To learn more about these services, click here, or you can call us at 888-402-4180 to discuss your project with a member of our team.