Let's Build! Day One of Our Home Renovation
The construction loan's finally approved, the permits are in hand, and the dust is about to fly! It's official: our home renovation project is a GO! This first day, it's all about setting the stage for a smooth and successful project. Here's what's top of mind for us:
Keeping Everyone in the Loop
Shared Vision: First step is meeting with the superintendent on site and walking the project with him and the demo and excavating subcontractors. We want to make sure everyone's on the same page about the vision and outcome. Trust me, you don't want any surprises down the line!
Our tip: Don't hesitate to ask your contractor or project manager any questions you have.
Keep the Lines Open: We're scheduling weekly meetings with our contractor. This gives us a chance to review progress, air any concerns, and make sure we're all still singing from the same hymn book.
Don't Forget the Little Things: I keep a notebook to keep track of all the paperwork related to the project. For each major stage / contractor, I also keep a list of things that are important to us a home owners so that we can review these matters with the contractor as the project proceeds. For instance, during the foundation stage, we want to ensure that the site gets a termite treatment prior to pouring the foundations as an ounce of prevention, we’re turning over information like the survey company we used as part of the loan process who may be able to perform the foundation survey required by the city, and to discuss the scheduling of our third party inspector.
Quality Control Starts Now
Minimize the Mess: We're working with the contractor to keep the dust and noise down. And since we're expecting some rain, we're making sure they have a plan to prevent mud from turning our street into a swamp.
Regular Check-ins: We'll be doing regular site visits, and we're bringing in third-party inspectors at key stages.
Protect Yourself: Don’t get caught without insurance. We got a builder's risk policy – a must-have! And we made sure we're listed as "added insureds" on the contractor's insurance. This means we can file a claim directly if something goes wrong.
Money Matters
Track Every Penny: We're keeping a close eye on the budget – every dollar counts!
Loan Disbursements: We're coordinating with the lender to make sure the money flows smoothly as the project progresses.
Change Orders: The Enemy of Budgets. We're trying to avoid change orders like the plague. Any questions we have, we're running them by the superintendent first.
Day one of a renovation is a mix of excitement and, let's be honest, a little bit of overwhelm. But by focusing on communication, quality, and keeping a tight grip on the budget, we're setting ourselves up for success.
Wish us luck! 🏠🔨
