Construction & building

How to Ensure that COVID-19 Does Not Stop Your Construction Project

The construction industry is among the sectors that are facing many changes due to COVID-19. These changes are restricting how business used to be done before the pandemic. The shelter-in-place orders may have made your construction continue as an essential business. However, you still have to observe and maintain social distancing. But, some places are more restrictive when it comes to the construction type that is allowed. If you’re allowed to continue your construction project, here are tips to help you keep it moving.  

Communication 

In the current times where things are always changing, the involved parties should maintain constant communication. Therefore, make sure that consultants, lenders, workers, and owners maintain communication via email and phone. Video conferencing can also be used to communicate without a physical meeting of the team. 

Inspections 

The full crew might not be present at the construction site all the time. However, inspections are important to ensure the progress of the construction project. Virtual walk-through inspections can particularly be effective during COVID-19 for regulatory and safety reasons. Regular inspections will enable you to ensure that your project remains on track. 

Materials 

Some countries are experiencing delays in material supply due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, understand what and who is affected by the pandemic to ensure that delays in material supply won’t affect your project. 

Schedule 

Consider the way COVID-19 is affecting your country or location to determine whether it will impact your construction schedule. For instance, has the pandemic affected the availability of labor? Has COVID-19 affected the availability of inspectors? Consider such factors to come up with a more realistic schedule for your construction project. 

Costs 

Costs, materials, schedules, and labor go hand in hand. That’s because most problems can affect the project cost significantly. The general conditions and delays can impact the budget. Insisting on a strict schedule can lead to contention. This can occasion additional overtime claims or even a premium pay. To avoid this, review your project carefully and identify every item that can affect the budget. This can be due to a labor shortage, regulatory workforce decrease, or material shortages. That means you should review your budget with the help of a consultant. 

Although COVID-19 could be temporary, things remain uncertain. Therefore, adapting quickly is very important when it comes to keeping your construction project going. Follow these tips to ensure that this pandemic doesn’t stop your project. Check out some tips and advice from other construction savvy blogs and businesses. https://www.homeadvisor.com/

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Construction & building

How to Hire a Home Contractor

Building a house is one of the most exciting experiences of a lifetime. While many people dream of building their dream homes or commercial houses, not all these dreams see the light of day.

If you’re lucky enough to have what it takes to build a house, then you must ensure that you do it right. This entails getting the quality materials, obtaining the necessary permits, and, most importantly, hiring the right contractor. 

To ensure you don’t miss a step when hiring a contractor for your construction project, here is a simple guide to keep in mind when choosing a contractor. 

  1. Have a plan of what you want 

Before talking to a contractor, you must have an idea of what type of building you are looking to build. This way, the contractor will be able to review your project and find out whether they can take on the job. 

While the price shouldn’t be the primary concern, you should also have an estimate of how much money you’re looking to spend. This way, you’ll have an easy time narrowing down the list of potential contractors you can consider. 

Likewise, decide the type of contractor that you’re looking for. For instance, if you are looking to install or remodel features like windows, cabinets, or bathrooms, you should look for a specialty contractor that deals with that line of work

  1. Search for a contractor 

If you don’t have an idea of where to start your search, you should ask for referrals from family members, friends, and co-workers, especially those who have recently build or remodeled their homes. 

If that doesn’t work, you can find local contractors at the comfort of your home by simply doing a Google search. Simply type your specific need – “home contractors near me” or “home renovation contractors near me” or “bathroom contractors near me.” Just type your specific needs, and you’ll have a list of contractors to consider within seconds. 

You can also use contractors’ websites such as Angie’s List, Better Business Bureau, Houzz, Thumbtack, and Yelp that rank local home contractors. 

Since your aim is to find the best contractors, you can use all those steps and collect a list of at least 10-15 potential contractors. Remember, even after choosing a contractor, they may decline to work with you due to certain reasons. 

Compare the identified home contractors’ profiles

When deciding whether or not a contractor is right for you, there are a few aspects to keep in mind. It’s therefore important if you can schedule a consultation and discuss your needs. If possible, you should discuss your project face to face. 

To identify whether a contractor is right, you can ask for clarifications about their experience, credentials, and skills in the construction industry. Check and ask about their certificates, previous projects, insurance policies, permits, licenses, business names, former customers, current projects, years of operation, and much more. 

Ask about the price 

Another important aspect you can’t miss to ask about is the price. Depending on your research, you should be able to know whether an estimate a contractor gives is reasonable or not. You should avoid over-priced personnel as well as very cheap quotes – they are probably a scam or will end up doing a shoddy job. 

After you have met all the contractors, review their profiles, and decide which contractors you’ll work with. Schedule a second meeting, and if all goes well, hire them. 

Sign the contract 

Once you have identified the right contractor for your project, make sure you sign an agreement. The contract should highlight all the necessary features of the project, including payment schedule, insurance, start and completion time, worker’s compensation payments, duties and responsibilities of all parties, contracts sum, and much more. 

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