Common Custom Home Building Issues and How To Solve Them
Starting a dream home is an exciting endeavor for many people. For some prospective homeowners, the thrill of working with house-building firms to see their visions come to life is incomparable.
If you’re planning your residential project soon, know that while the process can have its fun parts, there can also be complications along the way. It pays to be familiar with the most common problems and prepare yourself by knowing how to solve each one with ease.
Problem: Wrong Custom Order
Sometimes, when you order custom materials for your home building, you may receive incorrect specifications from the supplier. As you can’t install items with structural flaws, your project can face delays.
Solution:
Construction specifications, created by you or your builder, contain exact information about the custom materials needed for an order. A copy of these details goes to your supplier to ensure that the custom materials match what you need for your build. If something goes wrong with the product order, you can compare the original construction specs with the copy received by the supplier to figure out who’s at fault.
You can approach an improper order in one of two ways. Note, though, that adjustments are inevitable no matter what you choose:
- Accepting the delivered materials can keep you on track with your timeline. Doing so often requires you to modify your project’s structure or aesthetic to accommodate the specification.
- Reorder the original specifications to get accurate custom products. This option, though, pushes your timetable.
Problem: Project Delays
For some people, building a house entails living in a rental property or with your family or friends while construction is ongoing. This situation often lasts until the designated project completion date, but things don’t always go as planned, and you may face unexpected delays.
Solution:
You can request a production schedule from your job site manager, which can help you track the progress of your project. This schedule includes all tasks for your project, plus the allocated blocks of time for each. In case of delays, you can refer to the timetable and ask your contractor about the reasons for such. You and your project expert can then collaborate to devise a solution and fix the issue.
Problem: Outdated Blueprints
Subcontractors using an old set of blueprints can spell trouble for your project. This issue is a headache for your contractor and typically pushes your completion date further.
Solution:
Always date your blueprints to ensure that your subcontractors are always working off the most current plans. Additionally, your construction agreement and project’s ground rules should include the date of the final set of blueprints. This way, your subcontractors and the on-site team can verify the date with their plans.
Problem: Unforeseen Costs
Some house building firms may encounter issues that only arise in the middle of construction. These concerns often stem from unexpected conditions, such as termite damage or dry rot.
Solution:
If you want to avoid spending extra on unplanned costs, you can opt to stop the project at once. However, the smart move is to set aside a budget for surprise expenses before your project begins.
If your builder isn’t at fault, your construction agreement entitles them to extra pay should you require additional work due to unexpected issues. Ask for a thorough explanation from your builder to ensure that the circumstance is an unforeseen incident.
Problem: Design Flaws
There are instances when the blueprints don’t exactly match the final build. If some design aspects of your dream house are not up to par with your vision, you may want to talk to your builder about how to approach the matter.
Solution:
Changing parts of your project equals additional costs, so if you want to have adjustments made, make sure the plans still fit within your budget. While not always free, you can request a design walkthrough of your project using a 3D model render from your architect.
Compromise is another less costly option. While the design imperfection may not match what you had in mind, as long as it’s structurally sound, you can choose to let it be. This design flaw will be a part of your new home for a long time, so make sure you’re genuinely at peace with it before you commit to your decision.
Work With Experts and Build the House of Your Dreams
Reach out to experienced house building firms to get quality construction services. Industry professionals can ensure that your project goes well from start to finish, despite the occasional troubles. They can also assist you with any of your concerns regarding your custom build.
