True Length Of A Residential Construction Project: A Timeline Guide
Embarking on a home renovation can be a thrilling journey, but without a roadmap, it's easy to get lost in the complexities. A well-thought-out timeline can be your compass, guiding you through each stage of the renovation process. An ambitious schedule can be an asset, but it is also important to be realistic at each stage, so that there are no surprises as the project develops. Let's break down the key steps to ensure your home transformation is not only successful but also as stress-free as possible.
There are three things that you need to focus on prior to beginning the official design process with your chosen contractor. Defining your vision, researching and budget, and selecting your contractor. Generally this phase takes homeowners a few months to complete.
Define Your Vision
The starting point is crystal clear – define your vision. Spend time contemplating your needs, preferences, and must-haves. Create a vision board or list to help articulate what you want from the renovation. This can be done before every meeting with a builder or architect. Sites such as Houzz.com have digital "ideabooks" where you can save all of your design preferences so you can review them in one place with your builder to incorporate all of the important items to you into the renovation.
Give a lot of thought to the problems with your existing home or space and make a list of them. During the renovation you want to make sure to solve these problems so you are not left with the same headaches. For example, if you don't like your kitchen layout, make note of that so that you new kitchen can be more functional to your lifestyle.
Research and Budget
Research potential contractors, materials, and costs. Create a detailed budget, factoring in potential unforeseen expenses. This phase is crucial for setting realistic expectations and avoiding financial surprises later. Ask a lot of questions on forums such as Facebook where there are a lot of pages for homeowners that are new to home construction projects. There are many people on this page who have been in your shoes and stay active so that they can help other people in the same situation. (Important note: Don't believe everything you read!)
At this point in the project, it is reasonable to start contacting builders in your area and start asking questions about their process. Questions such as "Are you design/build or do you work with architects?", "What is your typical pre-construction process?", "What is your average project length?", "What type of residential construction projects do you specialize in?". Asking these questions of your local builders will help to understand more of the process and also give you an idea of the options in your local market. More than likely you will find a local builder who is very helpful and happy to answer any questions you have. The ones that are helpful and open to questions before a contract is signed are the ones to consider for your project because this is a sign that they will be open to questions during the project which can lead to more collaboration and less confusion during the build cycle.
These builders can also give some insight as to some general pricing for different size projects such as "It’s a hard to do a master bathroom for less than $40,000" or " The last (6) additions we did were over $200k". Every bit of information will be helpful to start to develop some idea of a target budget.
Select a Contractor
Once you have a budget in place, start interviewing contractors. Consider their experience, previous work, and communication style. Most importantly, choose someone you like! The relationship between you and the contractor is extremely important, so choosing someone you trust and enjoy talking to is key.
The earlier you secure a contractor, the smoother the subsequent steps will flow.
Once the contractor is selected it is crucial to finalize the target budget -- before any design takes place. This is helpful to ensure that the project is not over-designed (a.k.a. 'over-budget). Once the project has been designed, it is much harder to lessen the budget because there is an emotional factor involved. After the months of planning it is hard to remove things from the design that you were excited about. It is much simpler to discuss the target budget at the beginning, so that all parties on are the same page, and the project can be designed so that it does not exceed the target budget.
Pre-Constuction & Construction Begins!
This phase is where the countdown can begin. Your contractor will provide their timeline for how long their pre-construction process will take, and when they can begin construction. While timeline may vary, a normal renovation (interior renovation, addition, new home) project will follow the timeline below...
Design and Planning (2-4 months)
This is the fun part of the project -- collaborate with your contractor and possibly an architect to finalize designs. Nail down specifics, such as materials, layouts, and color schemes. The goal is to have a detailed plan that leaves minimal room for uncertainties during the construction phase.
The design will come together in phases with floor plans, elevations, construction drawings, etc. The design should be continuously priced by the builder to ensure that everything selected is in-line with the target budget. During this phase you should also start inquiring about product samples and visiting showrooms. The more selections that can be sorted out early on in the project, the more cohesively the project will progress after kick-off. Some of the more critical selections such as siding, roofing materials, faucet types/heights, sink bowl/drain locations should be noted on the drawings to ensure that there is no confusion. These can all be selected early on in the process. It also easier for many clients to visualize the larger selections which can help bring unity and clarity to the overall spirit of the design.
Permits and Approvals & Pre-Construction Prep (2-4 months)
Permits and Approvals: Get ahead of the bureaucratic side of things. Secure necessary permits and approvals from local authorities. This can take time, and it's crucial to avoid delays in the project timeline. The permits can be applied for as the design process is completed. You will need to bring the construction drawings to the permit office for approval, so at this point in the process just about everything should be designed. From this point on, there can be some minor changes to the design, but the overall size and scope should not change very much or it will create permitting delays in the future. The length of this process can vary depending on your local zoning and environmental restrictions, but 1-3 months is a good average for additions and new homes.
Pre-Construction Prep: Clear out the renovation space, protecting valuables and ensuring a smooth work environment. Communicate any last-minute details or changes with your contractor before they start swinging hammers. This can and should be completed during the permitting phase. While the project is going through permitting, the builder will send all aspects out to their trade partners for final pricing. This gives all of the trades an opportunity to ask question and get a better idea of the scope of work. It can also be helpful to schedule some site visit days so the trades have an opportunity to see the project in person.
Take this time to make all of the remaining project selections. The goal is to have all of the selections made before construction starts, so that the schedule can be streamlined. It is much easier to make sure that everything is ordered and delivered on time when it is selected before construction kicks off when there are new challenges to address.
Construction Time (4-6 months+)
Once everything is in place, the construction begins. The timeline here can vary widely based on the scope of the project. Regular communication with your contractor is vital at this stage. Smaller projects such as kitchen or basement remodels can be completed in as little as 2-3 months, but the larger projects such as additions and whole house remodels typically take 4-6 months with new homes taking an average of 8-12+ months. The goal is not to have a quick completion schedule -- the goal is to have an accurate and realistic completion schedule that reflects the unique design and challenges of the individual project.
Regular Check-ins
Maintain open communication with your contractor throughout the construction process. Regular check-ins ensure you're aware of the progress and can address any concerns promptly. The preferred communication style should be addressed before construction begins so that all parties know what to expect as to how to communicate and how often to expect communication. Project progress, delays, and general project updates should all be communicated on a weekly basis at a minimum. The communication will ebb and flow with the progress of the project. Early and final stages of the project require near daily communication from all parties, but there are some phases such as drywall installation where a weekly update is sufficient because progress slows down.
Final Inspections and Touch-Ups
As the project nears completion, conduct final inspections. Identify any areas that need touch-ups or adjustments. This step is crucial for ensuring the finished project aligns with your vision. As the project comes to a close, many of the areas will be wrapped in site protection to keep everything in pristine condition. The pace of the project tends to speed up towards the end as the excitement builds for the finished project. Be vigilant about your communication during this final stage as things are moving quickly, but it is important not to rush! It can be tempting to want to rush things along toward the day when you can site and enjoy your finished space with your family, but pushing that back slightly in order to accommodate the final massaging of important final details is critical!
Project Completion
Celebrate the successful completion of your home renovation! Ensure all contractual obligations are met, and don't hesitate to address any lingering concerns.
By following this timeline guide, you're not just navigating your home renovation; you're orchestrating a well-planned symphony of transformation. Remember, communication, thorough planning, and flexibility are your greatest allies in this exciting journey toward your dream home.
