Consulting Services Division
Most major construction firms and large general contractors have their own project managers to oversee the overall progress of their projects and the subcontractors that they hire. But who is making sure those firms and general contractors are acting in the best interest of the homeowner?
There are state government agencies that will react to homeowner complaints against contracting companies, but why wait until the project is already become a problem?
Every homeowner should have the same opportunity to have their own project manager inspecting the performance of the companies hired perform their project before and during its development.
We routinely come in contact with homeowners that have hired companies to perform construction and have developed issues before, during, and after the project. These issues include: improper building techniques, faulty design or layout of the project, poor project outcome due to lack of technical knowledge or direct supervision.
Most of the issues could have been avoided with diligent investigation of the hired contractors, or with better communication about the project between the contractor and homeowner before and during the building phase.
The homeowners problems are;
Not every homeowner knows how or what to investigate prior to hiring the contractor.
Not every homeowner has the ability to recognize if their project is not being constructed properly by using improper building techniques, shortcuts, or inferior products.
Not every homeowner has enough construction knowledge to effectively convey their concerns to the contractor using industry terminology that would be understood by everyone involved.
Not every homeowner is comfortable enough to bring forward their concerns or ultimately fire the contractor if needed.
Most homeowners don’t have the time to oversee the project on a daily, or even weekly basis.
Every homeowner knows what they would like to accomplish with their project, some provide a basic design concept, but most depend on the contractor for design and layout advice for functionality.
Every great contractor strives to accomplish complete customer satisfaction and make a fair profit. Profit is not a dirty word, it’s what allows good companies to provide the best products and services for their customers while remaining in business. However, is the contract price fair? Is the contractor making too much profit? Or too little? Is there a better way to layout the project and achieve the same goal while reducing costs?
Great contractors attempt to provide the customer exactly what they want to achieve complete customer satisfaction, referrals, and repeat business. But, in their honest effort to obtain the work, some contractors are reluctant to tell the homeowner the flaws within the design, or offer suggestions for improved functionality for fear of loosing the contract. Flaws that ultimately may cost more money and reduce functionality.
