As an apartment complex or building owner, avoiding costly delays is going to be one of your most important considerations when you are planning a renovation project. You will lose both time and money, and in some cases – clients or tenants, if a renovation project becomes a drawn-out affair. The inconveniences and chaos of a poorly managed renovation can be an eyesore and an irritant to everyone, and in some instances can create safety hazards on or around your property.
Here are some of the most common causes of construction/renovation delays some tips on how to prevent them from occurring or from causing unwanted delays
- Bad weather. If your renovations are outdoor projects, inclement weather can leave your project way behind schedule. It’s usually impossible to get exterior projects completed if heavy rains, sleet, ice or snow occur during the winter. Summer can bring tornadoes, severe storms, and hurricanes, as well. You can manage these eventualities by ensuring that allowances for natural disasters are built into your contract, and by rescheduling such activities as concrete pours with one eye on the weather forecasts. Ask your contractor to make sure there are water pumps on the job site so that standing water can be disposed of.
- Resource shortages. Sometimes extra work is needed, and your renovation contract did not allow for it. Running out of money will certainly bring everything to a quick halt. Establish a great business relationship with your bank ahead of time; they can be flexible with providing loans if you are a respected business in the community and have collateral to offer.
- Unreliable contractors. Crews that waste time on job sites are more common than they should be. A company may be slow to provide the tools and training to their workers, and that will cause your project to be completed much more slowly than you had envisioned. Do your research before hiring your apartment renovation contractor, and make sure they are known for timely and professional craftsmanship.
- Unexpected changes. Such changes will always be a part of a renovation project. Sometimes requirements emerge that are different from what was initially expected, and sometimes it’s due to zoning or to inspection. Managing these events is crucial, and you can prevent them from slowing work down by building allowances for these into the schedule.
When it comes to your apartment renovation project, make sure you plan ahead, and work with a contractor that you can communicate with easily and clearly. Here at Ascension General Contractors, we take pride in completing our clients’ projects in a timely and professional manner. Call us today!
