Building projects take time and this can sometimes be frustrating. Luckily, there are ways to ensure that your home build keeps moving along as quickly as possible. Keep reading for 9 ways to guarantee a more streamlined building process.
- Choose a builder early. This might seem a bold first step but it will help immensely. Your builder can talk you through all the aspects and steps involved in the building process from start to finish including things like preliminary testing, drafting, approvals, scheduling, beginning works, trades along the way and to completion. The exact steps might vary between builders so knowing who will complete your build can help your next steps meet their specific approach.
- Ask when your builder can schedule your home build or renovation. By knowing this at the start, you have an idea of when you might see the fruition of your plans – but it also puts your build on the builder’s calendar early. That means that even if something gets delayed, the builder is more likely to still have a gap in their schedule for your build.
- Have an idea of what your plans should include. This makes the process of drafting of your home a quicker process and reduces any revisions required. If you are initially unsure, that is ok as the builder and draftsman can work with you to design exactly what you want. A clearer vision just refines the process.
- Get your plans sent for approval as soon as possible. Approvals and inspections all take time (sometimes weeks or months) and are something that must be completed before works can take place. By making sure your plans are sent through to your local approver, such as the council, your building plans can be on the way much faster than if they are delayed prior.
- Start making specific design decisions at this stage. This is something that can be done later in the process but beginning it now allows you to play around with ideas before the builder needs to order the fixtures. You can go to businesses like flooring or kitchen/bathroom showrooms to get ideas and choose specific items to be quoted. This saves time later and prevents unexpected delays when ordering items which ensures your build stays on track.
- Ask your builder about their building schedule. Once approvals are complete, your builder should now be able to be more specific about an exact start date for your build. Bonus points for a builder who can provide you with an entire schedule for the whole build – this shows they are organised (trades will be scheduled in advance), prepared (each step of your build is planned) and it gives confidence that your build will be completed on time. Additionally, it holds the builder accountable to a timeframe and gives you a completion date to be excited about!
- Ask your builder to provide you with regular updates and their timeline for your home build. That way if you feel like things are falling behind and they haven’t updated you about delays, you can follow up and see what is happening. A good builder (or any business) will be on top of things like this and should keep up communication with you at each step of the building process.
- Pay your invoices in a timely manner. This seems obvious but it ensures the builder knows that you’re as serious as they are about completing this build on time and allows them to keep funding the next step of the build.
- Being aware that delays happen. This step won’t help you fast track your build but it is here to remind you that even in best case scenarios things happen that can delay your build. Understandable events include: weather delays, a trade pulling out last minute unexpectedly leaving your builder in the lurch and, unexpected delays on materials (that may not have been noted initially by suppliers). The steps previously should mitigate or include allowances for delays so your build should keep advancing to plan.
Hopefully these 9 steps provide insight on how to ensure your home build stays on track and reduces delays. Importantly, they emphasise that guaranteeing clear and constant communication from, and with, your builder is an important feature of any build.
