Today we’re continuing our “Addition Problem” series by discussing another roadblock your addition project can run into: the details. When you and your contractor don’t discuss the details of your project, this can cause a cascading effect that leaves everyone unhappy.
So, why exactly are details so important? To put it simply, if your contractor doesn’t have good, specific details related to your job, it can cost both you and your contractor a lot of money and (of course) a lot of wasted time. Not discussing the details beforehand makes your project drag on, which makes nobody happy!
So what details need to be discussed? In our opinion, you can never give too many details, so try to cover everything you can think of. Here are a few good places to start:
- Paint colors
- Appliances
- Fixtures
- Flooring
- Cabinetry style
- Placement of cabinetry
- Types of windows
- Placement of windows
- Dimensions
- Countertop material and finish
- Tile (both the style and pattern that will be used)
And the list doesn’t have to end there. If there is something specific you want, talk to your contactor about it early on. When you do so, your contractor is able to make a solid plan for what he needs to deliver, and can provide you a more accurate timeline for the project.
Plus knowing all these details ahead of time means the contractor can order all the supplies without having to worry about any change orders, which can often drag out the timeline even further and cost you more money.
Of course, this can all seem very overwhelming, knowing you have to think about every tiny detail before you even start your project. Here are our recommendations on how you can make sure you cover everything:
- Discuss with your contractor what details he needs to know, and when he needs to know them by. This will give you a checklist of items you need to be thinking about, plus a deadline for when you need to have those details communicated to him.
- Start a pinterest board and show it to your contractor regularly. By being able to show your contractor visual examples of the type of details you want in your addition, you can rest easy knowing you both are on the same page.
So, when all is said and done, here is the bottom line: when the details are figured out, your project goes way smoother. And when your project goes smoother, not only will you be able to finish the project much quicker, you’ll also be able to tie off the project while maintaining a good relationship with your contractor, and, most importantly, you’ll be thrilled with the end result!