"There And Back Again": How Things Get Built

Last year, my cousin Randy decided to have a bedroom and bath addition constructed on his stylish two-bedroom cottage.  And by "stylish," Randy means his decorations include velvet paintings of both Elvis AND "Dogs Playing Poker." Instead of consulting with his cousin the architect (or any interiors person with an ounce of respectability,) Randy picked a contractor at random and got the work started immediately.

Didn't they read
last week's blog?

Sadly, things did not turn out so well for poor Randy.  By the time the "Nails 'R Us" Contracting Company was finished with him, he had spent over $200,000 and all he had to show for it was a tarp fastened to his back wall and a lime green porta-potty.  To pay for the work, Randy was forced to sell off his "Precious Moments" collection. Where did Randy go wrong?  Goodness, where to begin... Today, we will discuss a few of the various ways projects are handled from design though construction.

The option most people, unfortunately, choose is the one Randy chose.  Not understanding the process, they think, "I want an addition?  I'll call a contractor!"  Let me be clear on this subject:  the vast majority of contractors are very reputable, unlike "Nails 'R Us."  (Which, by the way, is a totally fictitious company, before the slander accusations start flying.)  The problem is that when a homeowner asks the inevitable "how much is it gonna cost?" question, the poor contractor really doesn't have a clear picture of what is going to be desired.  He often gives a price that is far too low, or far too high.  Either way, he and the homeowner end up on opposite sides of an argument.  Or worse, a lawsuit.

Honey, we can't
afford this...

There are at least two ways that are preferable to this approach.  One is the traditional "Design - Bid - Build" method.  It's called "traditional" because this method has been used since the days of Stonehenge (or thereabouts...)  In this approach, the Architect is hired first, and a design is agreed upon by the homeowner.  Then a full set of Contract Documents, or "blueprints" are produced.  (The whole concept of "blueprints" is a topic for another day, however...)

Once the full plans are completed, they are given to one or more contractors to estimate.  The better the drawings, the more accurate the contractor's price will be.  Although this process takes time, the homeowner can be assured that he is getting a competitive price and the price is accurate based on exactly what is proposed.

Best buds?

The second way, and a very popular way in recent years, is the "Design-Build" method.  In this method, the Architect and Contractor work together, often under the same company name.  It is a type of "one stop shopping" for the homeowner.  The homeowner gets the benefit of an Architect's services, but the Architect doesn't have to produce a completely detailed set of Drawings, saving time in the overall process.  There is no competitive bidding in this process, however, so many homeowners do not like this approach.  If you decide to go this route, check out the Contractor thoroughly and make sure you are satisfied with the quality of work he provides.

Randy says his house is
famous.  I don't know...

There are a number of other ways the process can work, with names like "Construction Management at-Risk," and "Integrated Project Delivery" (which has nothing to do with the Civil Rights Act.)  These methods don't generally apply to residential homeowners, and would make me look like an even bigger geek if I were to try explaining them here.

So which method is right for you?  It depends on your preferences.  If getting competitive bids (and possibly a cheaper price) appeals to you, go the "Design - Bid - Build" route.  If no-hassle one-stop-shopping is your thing, try the "Design-Build" option.  Or if you're like Randy, just tear the whole thing down and start over...  See you next week!