Now that you’re about to start building your dream home, the thought of job schedules could be the last thing on your mind. However, one of the best ways to weed out the little boys from the pros is to ask them for a job schedule.
Unfortunately for many of us, builders don’t generally provide a build schedule to their clients. Most of the time, they will say that they will provide you with one after signing a contract. This can be bad news for you because there is a possibility that they won’t be able to deliver.
Why Don’t They Provide Job Schedules?
Generally speaking, builders do not provide job schedules automatically. As a client, you need to insist on a job schedule before signing a contract. According to our research, projects that proceed without a job schedule usually take 33% longer to complete.
One of the reasons why builders don’t automatically provide a job schedule is because it takes a lot of time to create one. The time it takes to come up with a schedule takes them away from their other jobs. Every project is also different meaning every job schedule is personalized so creating one could be complicated depending on the scope of work.
Another reason is that builders are not trained to create one. Creating a job schedule entails collaborating with other professionals, checking schedules of third parties like subcontractors, checking materials, and with suppliers. All of this is very complicated and takes skill and practice to complete.
Reasons Not To Sign
We advise you to steer clear of builders and contractors who insist that you sign a contract without a build schedule. Even if a builder is highly recommended by people you trust, it is still important to request a building schedule.
A builder that cannot provide you a building schedule is a disorganized one. They might be putting off building your home or could be busy with other projects. While it is perfectly understandable that there are builders who line up projects, they should be able to provide you with one before you sign a contract.
Builders also typically juggle multiple projects. They might be in the beginning stages of completing Client A’s home and just starting out with Client B’s project. In other words, they probably only have a vague idea as to when your project will start and be completed.
Aside from this, building a house also takes a lot of scheduling on the builder’s part. They have to schedule subcontractors and other skilled workers that might need to work on your job. This could be one of the reasons why they tell you why they cannot come up with a schedule. They might find it too much of a hassle to ask for everybody else’s schedule and then integrate it with their own.
All of this basically boils down to a single point. Without a job schedule, you will only be left with a vague timeline for the completion of your own project. You can also expect delays and face different handover dates.
What To Do
Building a house is already very stressful. It is also normal to have delays especially when it comes to the shipment of materials and the impact of the weather during construction. However, having no job schedule can give you even more stress.
When a project is already so delayed, you end up holding the bag. You will have no choice but to accept the delays and circumstances because you already signed the papers. In other words, you have no recourse. You cannot go after them or threaten to sue them because you have no evidence to back up your claims.
Aside from this, the additional delays can end up costing you more money. For example, you might need to rent your current home for a longer period of time. It can also affect the delivery of some of your orders like new furniture and appliances where you could end up paying storage fees and fines. If you are selling your current home, it could affect the new buyers too.
Therefore our advice is to steer clear of builders who insist on signing papers without a job schedule. Don’t be tempted with a promised schedule. You should sign a contract with the builder based on their job schedule.
Before Signing
Before signing a contract with your builder, make sure that everything is clear in the job schedule they provided. You should also understand that while the builder will do their best to follow the schedule to a T, there could be delays in construction especially material and weather-wise. So long as you are updated and the time frame is acceptable, it is perfectly reasonable to accept these delays.
You should also ask the builder for their last 3 projects. Ask if they were able to stick to the timeline provided, run on time, or if the completion date was near the estimated delivery date. You can think of these as references as to how their projects were completed.
Client selection is another big reason for delays during construction. This happens when you (the client) were not able to select materials during the scheduled time. During this time, you will be held accountable for the delay since you are responsible for making the final decision. Make sure that you are aware of the deadlines and choose a builder who can communicate this well with you.
Final Thoughts
Being furnished with a job schedule prior to signing a contract means that you are dealing with a professional. This will give you the assurance that your project will be completed on time and make the building process a smooth one. Always keep communication lines open between you and your builder to ensure that you are always updated and in the loop.
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