As we mentioned in last week’s blog post, over the course of the next few weeks we’ll be taking a look at all of the potential problems you might run into during the course of your renovation or addition project.
Why are we doing this? Because don’t you want to be as educated as possible when it comes to making decisions about your home?
We certainly do, which is why we feel like it’s so important to help you feel confident that you are making the right decision when it comes to your next project! So, what problem are we discussing today?
Scope creep.
Scope creep is something that can often come up during the course of a renovation or addition project, and typically occurs when the parameters of a job change. This could be for any reason, from just a difference in expectation between the homeowner and the contractor or unforeseen circumstances that force the plans to change. In these situations, this scope creep almost always leads to increased costs.
So, how do you avoid this?
The most important thing is to get into the details and the specifics with your contractor. Tell them exactly what type of materials you want to be used. If you want premium-priced carpet upstairs, communicate that in the beginning. If you want state of the art energy-efficient windows installed, make sure you mention this during your consultation and initial discussions.
And that’s it really it! While it may seem like such a small issue with such an easy resolution, there is a reason we are addressing this issue first: it’s the most important! Scope creep is the biggest reason a project will either cost you much more than anticipated, or worse, derail your project entirely!
By being upfront in the beginning with your contractor and always overcommunicating on the details, you can make sure your addition or renovation project runs smoothly and leaves you with a finished project you can’t wait to settle into and truly make a part of your home!