Chances are, you’re contemplating a home remodel whether it be a kitchen revamp or a brand-new build. We tend to delay diving in, but when we’re ready to take the renovation plunge, what are the first steps?
We scored insight from Bryan Grabowy, owner of Socon Builders, who dives into market expectations and how to successfully take your project from conception to completion.
When should you first engage a builder?
The sooner the better! The most successful projects are ones where builders work hand-in-hand with the owner and design team to manage costs and expectations every step of the way.
How are costs broken?
We often start with a napkin sketch of what a client has in mind. From this, we utilize onscreen estimating software and recent project cost data to develop a detailed budget. This budget can get tweaked along with project parameters; it's also a roadmap for the design team.
How has the construction industry changed over the past 5 years?
The past 5 years have been wild! Pre-covid construction costs for both materials and labor steadily increased 3-5% per year for the last 20 years. In 2020, pricing and material lead times jumped as much as 50%, creating havoc within the industry. Thankfully, in the last 2 years, things have leveled off and gone back to normal rates of increase, with suppliers catching up on demand and trades getting adequate staffing. We are still facing challenges with expectations of what people experienced building in the 2010’s vs. today, but it's a more balanced and healthy market than it was 5 years ago.
Have you completed similar projects to ours?
This is a critical question to ask a potential builder. Although every project is technically a one off prototype, ensure you're getting a competent builder who has completed similar work. You don’t want someone learning how to build on your project. Also, confirm they have working relationships with subcontractors.
How are project changes handled?
All projects have an owner contingency; in other words, money in the contract value earmarked for unforeseen conditions, design changes, and owner changes. The contingency can only be used with owner approval and is tracked on a contingency log providing cushion for changes. We provide detailed pricing with all changes so informed decisions can be made at any given time.
What is your availability for our proposed project timeframe?
This should be one of the first questions you ask a potential builder. You should be looking for a builder who is excited about your project and will put priority to it, not just one who will squeeze it in.
What is the permitting process like?
This varies based on project depending on site conditions, zoning requirements, flood plain, neighbors, hillside lot requirements, HOA’s and which municipality the project falls within. Often, the best first step is a site plan and preliminary review of the project with the building department to make sure what you want is allowed. This can save tons of headache down the road.
How long will my project take?
At Socon, during pre-construction, we establish a preliminary budget and schedule showing milestone durations for every project. The goal is to account for all design milestones, city review cycles and construction activities to ensure everyone on the team is held accountable. This process keeps potential surprises mitigated before they become real speed-bumps.
Should my builder direct me on the latest trends?
This is heavily driven by individual owner preferences and/or the style of a hired designer. Overall, we are seeing more natural materials/earth tones and softer colors.
Bryan Grabowy, Owner, Socon Builders
Socon Builders is a boutique general contracting business specializing in residential and commercial construction projects. The company prides itself on its ability to manage complex projects efficiently, from initial design through final construction, ensuring that all work meets stringent quality standards and client expectations. SOCONAZ.com