DIY Network

Problem Solving and Solutions: Delays in Construction From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-125

We've taken you through the process of building a custom home from the excavation process through moving in, but now it's time (with only two episodes left) to look back and assess the problems and how they were solved. Our homeowners (Brad and Lynn Oberg) were kind enough to sit down with us to discuss these problems and how they were ultimately solved.

"What I would say to people," Lynn said, "is that if you aren't willing to row with the flow and deal with the changes and be on top of things, then don't build a custom home, literally!

In DIY's new Home IQ series, you'll follow the Oberg family during the decision-making process of building this beautiful new home.

In this week's episode of Home IQ, our homeowners talk about the problems they faced during the construction of their dream home. And the weather delays were at the head of the list.

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Figure A

First Big Problem: Mother Nature

Weather was the culprit right off the bat when construction started. "We've just had some bad luck this year (2003) with the weather (figure A), "Lynn said. "There are things that are the control of the builder or the purchasers."

In fact, the foundation process was delayed three to four weeks due to rain. "We lost 38 of the first 42 days of construction due to wet weather," Brad added. "I'll never forget that number."

But the weather problems didn't stop with the rain. "We've had the worst winter [in Pittsburgh] this year that we've had in three or four years," Lynn said. From a construction standpoint the weather was the worst in probably 20 years in the Pittsburgh area. "What are going to do?" Lynn said. "You can't get mad at the builder ? but you need to be prepared that if you think you're going to be in for Thanksgiving dinner, you might be -- but the following year!"

Figure B

Problem: Changes During Construction

There are other reasons for schedule delays, and many times they come from homeowners making changes after the construction process has already begun. Among the contracts signed by our homeowners at the beginning of the project was a document called the "Spec Sheet" (figure B), which is a detailed list of everything that is to be included in the house. A spec sheet can be dozens of pages.

Note: For more information on the specifications sheet and a pdf file of the first page of one, click here.

The builder walks a fine between giving the homeowners what they want and holding down costs in order to make a decent profit on the project. In many cases, our homeowners were "not" satisfied with the selections the builder made or the allotted amount of money for specific items. These budge allotments are referred to as Allowances. Brad and Lynn both said about this process: "When a builder goes through and bids a house, he provides allowances and I think a pitfall for someone building a house is understanding how little those allowances provide for."

Brad and Lynn found themselves changing several of the items on the spec sheets, and when this occurs "clear communication" is critical between the homeowner and the builder. "It's important for you [the homeowner] to know that I am building what is written on that spec sheet," Greg Allen, the Oberg's site supervisor, said. "If you are making any variations to the spec sheets or the selections you have given us it's important that you let us know so that we can do what you want us to do."

"Many things that looked like changes I think were clarifications," Brad said. "Greg thought one thing and we thought a different thing, and we had to agree." Unfortunately, Allen had to put a cost on these changes. And if our homeowners agree, a Change Order is written out and faxed or mailed to the couple to sign and return. The order lists all the changes and costs, and a check covering the difference has to be returned with the signed piece of paper.

Construction Advice: If you're worried about the cost of construction rising, be sure not to make too many changes after the project has begun!

Figure C

Problem: Communication Breakdown

One of the worst problems during any home construction is a breakdown of communication between the homeowner(s) and the builder and his team of subcontractors. For our Oberg project, Brad and Lynn (figure C) both made frequent trips to the job site and spoke often to the subcontractors regarding changes instead of going through Allen, unfortunately. This would cause a breakdown in communications and thus, construction problems and delays, which in turn affect the cost of the home.

"The communication with the subs [the subcontractors] on this particular job was extraordinary," Allen said. "I've never had anything like this happen. I kept telling everybody that I've got to hold the reins, I've got to drive this job, and as many as times as I tried to make that clear, unfortunately, things just continued." In fact, Allen was walking on the job and finding things being done that he knew nothing about.

Construction Advice: When you build a new home it's vital that you communicate everything to your site supervisor and builder. Everything! Don't go through subcontractors. Tell the supervisor all and you'll have many less headaches!

In the next segment find out how a simple mistake on the blueprint led to major headaches on the construction site.

RESOURCES :

Joists Information
SpaceJoist® TE, LLC
Website: www.spacejoist.com

Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets (Manor House)
Manor House Kitchens
Website: www.manorhousekitchens.com

Plumbing Services (Pedicone)
Pedicone Plumbing
4364 Gibsonia Rd.
Rt. 910
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: 724-443-6794

Spray Foam Insulation (Icynene)
Icynene, Inc.
Website: www.icynene.com

Insulation (Suburban)
Suburban Insulation, Inc.
Website: www.ibpteam.com

Tile (Best Tile, Inc.)
Best Tile Distributors, Inc.
Website: www.besttile.com

Molyneaux Tile and Carpet
Website: www.beautifulfloors.com

Sinks and Fixtures (Nicklas Supply, Inc. / Splash)
Nicklas Supply, Inc./Splash
Website: www.wit-co.com
or www.nicklassupply.com

Builder
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: buildm@zoominternet.net

Carpet (Boyle Carpet Service)
Boyle Carpet Service, Inc.
Website: www.boylecarpet.com

Tile and Carpet (Molyneaux)
Molyneaux Tile and Carpet
Website: www.beautifulfloors.com

Land Excavation
Crea Excavating, Inc.
1315 Pleasant Hills Rd.
Wexford, PA 15090-6807
Phone: 724-935-2959

Trim Carpenters
LemanKiewicz Construction
PO Box 1033
Mars, PA 16046
Phone/Fax: 724-776-5554

GUESTS :

Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net

Todd Kline
Installer
Manor House Kitchens