How to avoid building delays
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Building or renovating is stressful, even when everything is on track. When it's going on, all that gets us through is the thought of perfection at the end of the project - when we get to sit back and enjoy what we planned, paid for, and received. So any delays on the way to that light at the end of the tunnel are unacceptable! Here are a few tips that you can follow to avoid delays in your building or renovation project.
Making solid, sensible plans
Have the best building plans possible. Paying for professional services like an architect is so worth it, besides being important in the process of applying for permits. But detailed plans let you know where you'll be putting electrical points, cupboards, where there may be tight spaces or ideas for shelves or display units, which way your doors should swing and more. Good plans will make it easier and quicker for the council to approve your building plans, and also help subbies estimate materials and get the right amount to avoid having to re-order causing delays.
Set a detailed budget
Setting a detailed budget and sticking to it will help you make decisions about the types of materials to be used (eg tap fittings, materials, etc) up front. Even if those materials turn out to be unavailable when the project commences, you'll be able to choose an alternative quickly with a specific, detailed budget.
Have an emergency slush fund
Detailed budgets are great but sometimes things do go wrong. Having a slush fund prevents delays while you scrape funds together for emergencies.
Use quality tradespeople
Finding quality tradespeople is easy through Service Central. The benefit of using quality tradespeople is that they will be more experienced at estimating timelines, identifying potential problems early on, and usually work smarter and faster than lower quality trades.
Communicate timelines specifically twice
When you're planning (or your builder is planning) when each trade will be needed, share that information with the trades you hire. 2-3 days before that date, reconfirm the start date of their job. Some trades overbook to compensate for unpredictability but if you reconfirm your intentions they're less likely to choose another job over yours.
Hire a project manager
It's a project manager's job to take the project and put a detailed timeline to it, managing all communication with tradespeople and making sure that the timetable is stuck to. A project manager is an additional expense but can protect you from delays as well as saving you money from lost efficiency.
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