Common Construction Mistakes to Avoid

Home renovation can be exciting, but it can also be stressful, especially if you encounter construction mistakes. As a homeowner, there are things you can do to avoid some of these mistakes. The most important thing is to do your homework every step of the way. This involves choosing an architect and contractor with good reviews, sorting out financing, and checking out options for everything from fixtures to paint. By staying informed, you can save time, money, and heartache. Here are 10 construction mistakes to avoid:

10: Budget Uncertainty

Knowing what you can afford is crucial before you start a home renovation project. If you need financing, it’s a good idea to see what you can afford to borrow before you meet with an architect or contractor. This can help you streamline the process and save money by getting it right the first time. There are different types of renovation loans available, such as refinancing, home equity lines of credit, and the 203(k) loan. The 203(k) loan allows you to borrow against a percentage of what your house will be worth after renovation, rather than its current value. By working with the bank first, you can set your expectations for the project and avoid planning something you can’t afford.

9: Opting for the Initial Estimate

Don’t be hesitant about receiving multiple estimates as contractors are accustomed to collaborating with homeowners during the research phase of construction. You can be honest about your progress when discussing with them. Some contractors may even offer to match the price if they are working in a competitive market like roofing.

When we needed a new roof, we obtained a recommendation from the same firm that had executed our first major home renovation. The recommended roofer provided us with an estimate for the job, and we were almost ready to employ this company when we decided to get additional estimates, just for fun.

It turned out that the first estimate was more than twice the amount of any of the others!

We ended up opting for someone who was priced in the middle range and the work was excellent. Although the first contractor would have done a decent job, we would have paid considerably more than the average cost of our new roof.

When collecting estimates from contractors, it’s crucial to not only focus on price but also consider the company’s reputation, experience in the industry, and the kind of warranty they provide for their work. You can visit resources such as Angie’s List and Yelp to see what other people in your locality think of the contractors you’re considering.

8: Selecting the Inappropriate Contractor

Ensure that your contractor is bonded and insured.
iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Using contractors who are not bonded and insured puts you in danger if anything goes wrong with the job, and in the event that the contractor fails to fulfill his end of the deal. Depending on where you reside and the kind of work you’re doing, you may need to ensure that your contractor is licensed as well [source: Angie’s List].

Bonding and insurance are two separate things, but it’s ideal to hire a contractor who has both. Consider bonding as protection after the job is finished, and insurance as protection while the task is ongoing [source: Angie’s List]. When you engage a bonded contractor, you’re safeguarding yourself in case he fails to pay subcontractors or does a terrible job. If your contractor is not bonded and defaults on something like this, you’ll be the one who has to pay the price. The contractor’s insurance covers you for on-site issues, such as an injured worker, who might otherwise sue you for medical expenses, or damaged property that you would have to replace out of your own pocket.

A good contractor will also be willing to work with you to stay within your budget by going over the proposal to see where you can cut back. One way that my family has saved money on construction projects in the past is by sourcing some of the materials ourselves, like light fixtures and bathroom cabinets, and even doing some of the smaller tasks, like hanging ceiling fans and installing doorknobs and bathroom hardware. However, be cautious when taking on parts of a construction project, as you don’t want to get in over your head (which brings us to our next mistake)!

7: DIY Renovations: Know What You’re Doing

Homeowners can save money by doing some renovation tasks themselves, but it’s important to have a clear understanding of what’s involved before starting. For example, installing doorknobs is easy and can save money on labor costs, but painting a new addition can be more complicated than expected. There may be windows, baseboards, doors, and even ceilings to paint. Make sure you have a plan in place before starting any construction tasks to avoid delays and extra expenses.

6: Don’t Forget the Permits

Before starting any construction, it’s important to have the necessary permits approved. Failure to do so can result in a stop work order and costly delays or fines. Some contractors will handle this process for you, but if not, it’s important to begin the process early, as there may be missing paperwork and a waiting period before permits are issued. It’s also important to post permits and plans on-site for inspectors to review. Remember that unpermitted work may not be covered by homeowners insurance if something goes wrong.

Tip 5: Holding Back Your Concerns During a Construction Project

While you might feel like you’re nagging your contractor by bringing up every concern you have during a construction project, it’s actually important to do so. A good contractor will take your questions seriously and address them, potentially saving you from expensive mistakes. For example, if you’re renovating your kitchen and the new countertops arrive in the wrong color, it’s much quicker and cheaper to swap them out on-site rather than after they’ve been installed. Checking in on the work periodically is also crucial. If you’re not living in the home during the construction, visit daily or every few days to ensure everything is going smoothly. If you can’t monitor the work, consider hiring a residential designer to act as your advocate on-site [source: Kirkwood].

History provides a cautionary tale about the importance of addressing concerns during construction. Donna Berta Bernardo donated money in 1172 to build the Tower of Pisa, which leans due to poor soil underneath the foundation. If Bernardo had asked more questions, perhaps the tower wouldn’t be leaning today. It wasn’t until 2008 that engineers and architects were able to shore up the foundation and prevent the tower from sinking [source: Soniak].

Tip 4: Requesting a Guaranteed Completion Date

It’s common for contractors to push back the completion date of a construction project, but there aren’t many good reasons for it to take much longer than predicted. While unforeseen events like weather can delay projects, financial incentives for on-time completion can help keep contractors on track. For example, some contractors will agree to a firm completion date as part of the contract and will pay a fixed amount for each day they work beyond that date. Finding a contractor who guarantees a completion date can provide peace of mind and save you from headaches. A good contractor will give themselves plenty of padding to account for unexpected delays [source: Kirkwood].

3: Inadequate Communication

Insufficient communication between you and your architect or contractor can lead to financial losses or dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the project. Although you may feel like you are asking too many questions and seeking too many clarifications, it is important to remember that your architect and contractor cannot read your mind. If there is something in the plans or contract that you do not understand, it is better to ask for clarification upfront. Addressing any doubts before the construction begins will prevent confusion later on.

Since most homeowners cannot be present all day during the renovation process, it is important to ensure that the contractors have a clear understanding of what you want and how to get in touch with you in case of any questions. If they cannot reach you to confirm a paint color, for example, they may make the wrong decision, and you may have to pay to fix the issue or live with a color you dislike. To avoid such situations, communicate frequently through email and provide your contractor with your phone numbers to ensure quick responses.

Living in a house while renovations are underway can be challenging. Thus, it is crucial to communicate with your contractor to prepare for noisy and dusty situations that may require moving furniture or covering valuables.

2: Unforeseen Circumstances

Remember this movie? The story of a young couple struggling to renovate a dilapidated house may resonate with some.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Home renovation shows often depict contractors or homeowners ripping up old carpeting to reveal beautiful, vintage hardwood floors. Unfortunately, not all renovation surprises are pleasant, and there is always a chance of discovering a problem once the project is underway. For instance, if you are renovating an older home, building codes may have been less strict or even nonexistent, making it difficult to anticipate any issues hidden behind walls or under floors. Similarly, with newer constructions, it is impossible to predict what shortcuts the previous owner may have taken.

During the renovation process, contractors may uncover termite damage after knocking down a wall to expand your kitchen or encounter bad soil on your property while breaking ground for a home addition, requiring additional expenses to rectify the situation.

Being prepared for unexpected issues during a construction project can save time, reduce stress, and make the difference between completing a home improvement project and running out of funds. Most contractors factor in a 10% reserve for unforeseen problems into their estimate, and it’s important to ensure that you have the money available or enough financing to cover the project costs and the reserve amount. If the construction project goes smoothly, you’ll get the 10% back when the renovation is complete.

1: Overlooking Resale Value

Before starting a renovation project, it’s crucial to research the potential return on investment. Adding bedrooms or bathrooms, for example, can increase a home’s resale value, but by how much? Look for a trustworthy realtor and check out “comps” in your neighborhood. Comps are homes that have the same stats as yours, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Examining comps can help you determine whether you’re investing more money into your renovation than you’ll receive when you eventually sell the house.

A realtor is a valuable resource for evaluating the value of your renovation, whether you’re adding a bathroom, remodeling the kitchen, or replacing carpet with hardwood floors. He or she has access to databases of home sales in your area and can inform you of the selling price for homes with similar features to yours. If homes in your area with carpeting are selling for the same price as similar-sized ones with hardwood floors, you need to decide if the expense is worth making your home look the way you want it to.

Additional Details

Author’s Note: 10 Major Construction Mistakes

As you may have gathered, my husband and I recently underwent some significant renovations ourselves. We constructed a two-bedroom, one-bathroom addition last winter and replaced the roof on the older part of the house just a few months ago. Like many homeowners, we learned as we went. We were fortunate to have a neighbor who is an architect and could guide us through the renovation process, saving us from many common pitfalls.

There were some challenges, particularly when we were working on the addition. The most difficult part was hanging and sanding the drywall. Drywall dust gets everywhere, and despite the warnings, we were unprepared for weeks of dust covering everything in our home. I have never been so excited to vacuum and dust as I was when that part of the project was completed.

Renovations can be disruptive and noisy, but they’re also exciting as you watch your home transform, even if you get involved in the work yourself.

Related Articles

• View Pictures of Home Construction
• How Can a 203(k) Loan Help You Make Your Home More Eco-friendly?
• Understanding Home Equity Loans
• 10 Questions to Ask a Potential Contractor
• How Building Permits Function
• The Top 5 Issues That Arise in Rapid Construction

Sources

• Angie’s List. “Licensed, Bonded & Insured.” (March 5, 2012) http://www.angieslist.com/contractor/license-bonded-insured.htm
• Friends of John Garner Museum. “Historic Building + Renovations = Expect the Unexpected.” (March 14, 2012) http://www.friendsofjohngarnermuseum.org/2009phase2construction/expecttheunexpected.html
• HGTV. “25 Biggest Renovating Mistakes.” (March 14, 2012) http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/25-biggest-renovating-mistakes/index.html
• HUD. “Rehab a Home w/HUD’s 203(k).” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (March 5, 2012) http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/sfh/203k/203kabou
• Karma Construction. “The 15 Biggest Remodeling Mistakes…and How to Avoid Them.” (March 5, 2012) http://www.karmaconstruction.com/15_Biggest_Remodeling_Mistakes.html
• Kirkwood, Chrissy. “Common Mistakes Homeowners Make During Renovations.” Trulia. March 21, 2011. (March 14, 2012) http://www.trulia.com/blog/nashville_real_estate/2011/03/common_mistakes_homeowners_make_during_renovations
• Soniak, Matt. “Why Does the Leaning Tower of Pisa Lean?” Mental Floss. August 18, 2011. (March 5, 2012) http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/97422

FAQ

1. What are the major construction mistakes?

The major construction mistakes are errors made during the building process that could lead to structural problems, safety concerns, and costly repairs. These mistakes can happen at any stage of construction, from design to completion. Some of the most common mistakes include poor planning, inadequate supervision, lack of communication, using low-quality materials, ignoring building codes, and not following industry standards.

2. How can poor planning affect construction?

Poor planning can affect construction in many ways. It can lead to delays, cost overruns, and design errors that require costly rework. Without proper planning, materials may not be ordered on time, and workers may not have the necessary equipment or tools. This can also lead to safety concerns on the job site. Poor planning can also result in a building that does not meet the needs of its occupants or that is not efficient in terms of energy use.

3. What is inadequate supervision?

Inadequate supervision means that there is not enough oversight of the construction process. This can lead to mistakes being made that go unnoticed until they become major problems. Without proper supervision, workers may not follow safety protocols, quality standards may not be met, and construction schedules may not be adhered to. Inadequate supervision can also lead to communication breakdowns between different teams working on the project.

4. What are some consequences of using low-quality materials?

Using low-quality materials can result in many consequences. The most immediate is that the building may not be structurally sound, leading to safety concerns. Low-quality materials may also wear out more quickly, requiring costly repairs or replacements. Using subpar materials can also result in a building that does not meet energy efficiency standards or that is not aesthetically pleasing.

5. How can ignoring building codes affect construction?

Ignoring building codes can have serious consequences. Building codes are put in place to ensure that structures are safe and meet certain standards. Ignoring these codes can lead to unsafe conditions, structural failures, and legal issues. Building codes also ensure that buildings are accessible to people with disabilities and that they meet environmental and energy efficiency standards.

6. Why is it important to follow industry standards?

Industry standards are put in place to ensure that construction projects are completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard. Following these standards helps to ensure that buildings are structurally sound, energy-efficient, and meet the needs of their occupants. Industry standards also help to ensure that construction projects are completed on time and within budget.

7. Can construction mistakes be prevented?

Construction mistakes can be prevented through careful planning, proper supervision, and adherence to building codes and industry standards. Regular inspections and quality control measures can help to identify and correct mistakes before they become major problems. It is also important for all members of the construction team to communicate effectively and work collaboratively to ensure that the project is completed to a high standard.

8. How can construction mistakes be corrected?

Correcting construction mistakes can be a costly and time-consuming process. The first step is to identify the mistake and determine the extent of the damage. Depending on the severity of the mistake, the building may need to be partially or completely demolished and rebuilt. In some cases, the mistake may be able to be corrected through repairs or modifications. It is important to work with qualified professionals to ensure that the mistake is corrected properly.

9. How can I avoid making construction mistakes?

To avoid making construction mistakes, it is important to work with a qualified and experienced team of professionals. This includes architects, engineers, contractors, and subcontractors. Proper planning, communication, and supervision can also help to prevent mistakes. It is important to adhere to building codes and industry standards and to use high-quality materials. Regular inspections and quality control measures can also help to identify and correct mistakes before they become major problems.