These should not happen, and in the rare event that they do, the construction agreement and specifications will outline how to address the issues. Our best bit of advice when these things pop up is to REMAIN CALM. Maintain a cool head, and be succinct when explaining the issues to the client. Be prepared to offer alternate solutions and don’t promise anything you can’t deliver.
We try to estimate the time that the project is going to take us, based on our experience. We try not to add more cost if the project takes us longer then we thought. (For example on one of our siding projects, siding tear off took us twice as long as it usually does, because homeowner installed original siding himself, using ring shank framing nails, which are extremely difficult to remove, but we didn’t charge him extra, even though technically we could have. We wanted to make a good impression on our customer). We try to give customers our estimates as accurately as possible based on what we can see. But if working on a siding project we discover a water damage problem, we notify the home owners about it. And give them another bid for repairing the problem. We always tell the owners that they have a right to hire anybody else for the secondary project, so that they are not limited in their choice. Usually they would ask you to do it for them, but sometimes they would find somebody else or do it themselves. Customers like when there is no pressure on them during the work process, so if something unexpected come up, give them your price, let them think about it, and make their decision. Give them options. They will more likely hire you for that job if they see that you are not trying to sell them your service, but helping them solve their problem.
We understand that as a project moves closer to completion, your requirements may change. It’s our job to listen, and make sure your remodel project accomplishes each one of your goals. To make sure everyone is on the same page, we use “change orders” liberally to document any mid project scope increases or reductions. We actually take great pride in our change order process, because it provides you, the homeowner, with a very clear document showing exactly what’s been added or removed to your contract.
Always look for solutions. Curveballs or issues are a common thing in construction.
Most of the time, major curveballs during a project can be avoided by thorough planning. It starts with a detailed inspection of the job before an estimate is even presented. An experienced contractor will have been through situations in the past and have learned valuable lessons along the way. There are times; however, when unexpected events present themselves, no matter how thorough the planning process might have been. Each situation is unique, but, through honest communication, can be dealt with in a manner that leaves both the client and the contractor feeling that they were treated fairly in a situation that could not have been foreseen.
Easy - get a written agreement that outlines the total timeline & all costs. That’s it!
Just do not forget to write in penalties and extensions in both T&M and you should be fine.
Great question! One of the most challenging things about a project is “what hides behind the walls” and what I mean by this is the unforeseen challenges to tackle or dealing with poor work that had been done by a previous contractor prior to the current owners acquiring the property. I first communicate to the client that an issue was discovered, then assess the scope of work, third present the options of addressing the problem to the client, and after the client has decided, deal with the issues.
Curveballs are inevitable. Nobody has x ray vision. The right thing to do is talk about the problem as soon as possible. That is what you would expect in your home and that should be a part of any building project. Trust is formed when there is integrity in dealing with difficult tasks.
Understand the problems and find the alternate solution. Construction work is not going to be easy and smooth; we need to step back and take a deep breath.
Dealing with unforeseen circumstances that arise in a remodeling project will happen about 80% of the time. The best way to handle these situations is to sit down with your clients and explain the situation and how you will go about getting through it. If there are options and if so what they are. If the contractor needs to spend more time then initially planned there is always a reason. The contractor should sit down with the client and go over their budget. Explain what the issues are and collectively come to a resolution, this may involve a change in the original contract.
When additional costs come up, again sit down with your client and educate them on how you could not have foreseen this unexpected cost. Have a dollar and a timeline solution to address this.
Best resolution is to educate the customer and involve them in the resolution.
“Curveballs” are high on the list of why most people cannot successfully complete a major project such as home remodeling. An experienced contractor has probably seen most of these “curveballs” at one point or another. They can come from almost any angle. The key is making sure there are good lines of communication between the contractor and property owner(s). When one of these issues arises it is important to take stock of the entire situation, consider the options and quickly take steps to rectify things to the best of your ability. Being in the contruction business for over 30 years I have seen many, many “curveballs”, new ones pop up and get dealt with as swiftly as possible.
What do you do if there are permitting issues?
We address them in timely manner with the city staff and seek to approve all correction with subcontractors if needed.
What happens if problems crop up that require you to spend more time than originally anticipated?
I will discuss this with the homeowner to come up with best solution.
How do you deal with additional costs that may crop up during a project?
Change orders issued to homeowner but we point out the extra work and cost before that happens.
The solution to curve-balls in remodeling starts before you even sign a contract. Ask your contractor what kind of variables there could be in your particular type of project. An experienced contractor should be able to give you several examples of things that might occur, the solutions he or she would use, and what kind of change orders or contract addendum’s (price change) you can anticipate should the situations indeed arise.
If small we can handle it. If large we need to meet and reconfigure the problem.
Always leave room in the budget for unexpected problems.
This happens from time to time. Before any work is done, homeowners need to be informed of any curveball and if it’s going to affect time to complete or price of project.
This is not a problem for us because we are a smaller company, and being the owner operator of this company, I will personally be there working on the project. Hence, I can verbally receive the new request directly. This saves a lot of time and aggravation of putting in official “change orders” via a manager or field foreman.
That’s a tough question. In general, this comes up more when you are remodeling than in new construction. Again, I will point to a good relationship and open line of communication. If the builder, homeowner, and architect have a good relationship they will work together to solve these problems. It is important to work through these issues without finger pointing because that is counterproductive and slows things down. -Steve Soto, Co-Owner Tri-Tech Construction
In construction, problems only get bigger. Address problems immediately.
Before work starts, I tell them that curveballs can happen. When the problem arises I make a point to show them the issue and explain it in detail. There can’t be misunderstandings when problems come up. We make sure to put a contingency in the contract and budget to be ready for anything.