Planning. Deciding whether a new home or a major renovation is a good idea can depend on a number of factors, from usable space to the financial commitment. Only once these factors have been considered can you move forward with your plans.

Selecting the right construction company. This is the most important step in building your new upgrade or house. Be sure to follow these steps carefully.

Securing financing. You should collect at least three bids to really know where you stand. Even after you select a contractor you should expect a cost fluctuation from the estimate, particularly with major renovations. However, the estimate should never change by more than eight percent.

Waivers of liens. In most cases (if your project cost exceeds $50,000), you should receive with each invoice a statement of what you have paid for, and with final payment you should receive a final waiver of liens. This waiver will protect you from any unpaid balances from contractors or subcontractors who may have owrked on your property.

Trust professionals. Always consult with your GC or builder — sometimes certain ideas may not be feasible or may be very expensive.

You will most likely exceed your allowances. Many projects exceed initial allowances once customers start visiting suppliers and are tempted with different or higher quality materials.

You will make changes during construction. Sometimes changes are necessary during a project, but be sure to make them soon or there can be costly consequences to undo or redo work already performed.

Price and speed do not determine quality. Always remain focused on the quality of your project; it is better to wait for a project to be completed properly than to be unhappy with the work for years to come.

Every process has its own time. Most things in this world have their own time — construction is no different. Sometimes it may appear to be moving fast, at other times it may seem slow. Don't jump to conclusions — you may contact us at any time if you have questions.