Your contract is signed, you’ve finished the bid review process and you’re ready to begin the next step in your construction project. But even with a contract laying out the nitty-gritty details, construction and renovations might seem overwhelming to small business owners – especially if you’ve never been through the process before. That’s why we’ve compiled five essential tips to help you master the pre-construction process with expert input from Jennifer Wilson, owner and director of business development at Southern Construction, LLC.
1. Establish your pre-construction point of contact.
After you’ve chosen a bid and partnered with your contractor of choice, determine your point of contact as soon as possible. According to Wilson, this step is critical no matter the size of your project or company. “We deal with a lot of small businesses who have never done a construction project before and may never do it again,” Wilson says. “And then some people deal with it all the time. Either way, the pre-construction point of contact is important.”
Your point of contact will serve as a messenger between your business and your contracting company. But the ideal point of contact should also be able to guide you through the pre-construction process and answer any questions you may have about what the process will entail. This person should offer insight and peace of mind in equal measure.
2. Hold a pre-construction meeting.
True to its name, the ideal pre-construction meeting offers an opportunity to review your contract, scope of work and architectural plans before the project begins. You’ll also be able to hash out your project schedule and discuss other important details. Wilson recommends taking advantage of this meeting by bringing up any questions or details that may affect the project in the future, such as whether you expect the contractor to work on your space while it’s still occupied. Also, if you’re uncertain about anything, you may want to discuss your contractor’s terms for change orders – we’ll cover these at length later on.
3. Develop a construction schedule.
Creating a construction schedule establishes a concrete timeline concerning when certain tasks will be completed. Depending on the size of your project, Wilson explains, your contractor might bring your construction schedule to your pre-construction meeting. But if you’re dealing with a larger project, you may have to dedicate a portion of that meeting to creating the schedule itself. Remember to take into account any restrictions on when the property can be accessed to avoid unexpected delays.
4. Choose a start date.
This step goes hand-in-hand with the creation of your construction schedule. The date should be agreed upon by both parties and should take every aspect of the project into account. For example, if you’re ordering supplies that may require a wait time, be sure to give your contractor plenty of time to collect the correct materials before getting to work.
5. Understand the change order process.
Contractors understand that you may have second thoughts about certain parts of your project or that unforeseen circumstances may require adjustments to even the most comprehensive plans, and that’s where change orders come into play. A change order refers to work performed beyond what’s contained within the initial scope of work contract, and could include anything from a new paint color to work required to bring faulty plumbing up to code. If you believe change orders may be necessary, discuss potential costs with your contractor ahead of time. To make things easier, however, it’s best to discuss any details you’re hesitant about before construction begins, Wilson says.
Searching for a reliable, experienced construction contractor in the New Orleans area? Choose Southern Construction. To learn more about the company’s capabilities, view their past projects, or contact Southern Construction today.