If you are preparing to start a fairly major home renovation project, such as an addition, you might be struggling to keep both your goals and your budgetary restrictions in-check. You are not alone! Many homeowners find it difficult to get exactly what they want out of a remodel without breaking the bank. This is where the idea of the phased construction job was born.
“Phased construction” is a term that refers to renovation projects or new builds in which certain aspects of the job are intentionally delayed, typically to give the homeowner time to save enough money to do everything he or she wants to have done. This guide is meant to help you determine whether or not phased construction is the right choice for you and your family. There are, as with anything, both positive and negative points to this option. You’ll learn about both of them here.
Positive attributes of phased construction:
- You’ll spend less money upfront – Perhaps the biggest perk of opting for a phased construction project is that you will not have to pay for the entire job upfront. Instead, as mentioned above, you will have time to save enough money to make all the changes you’re hoping to make to your house. In some cases, phased construction is the only way people can even afford to do renovations.
- You’ll get to make sure the changes work for you – Seeing blueprints is one thing, but living in your home after it has undergone a remodel is another. Phased construction allows you to get used to certain changes as you go, helping you see exactly what is working and what isn’t. If, for instance, you realize you hate having a hardwood entryway and would prefer tile elsewhere in your house, breaking your renovation into sections will give you the chance to realize it. This brings us to our next point.
- You’ll be able to make design alterations – If you determine that something in your original design plans is either unnecessary or unwanted, you and your contractor will be able to make the necessary modifications. This is really only possible during phased construction projects and is a definite benefit, especially for homeowners who tend to be indecisive.
Negative attributes of phased construction:
- It is more complicated for everyone – If you’re the type of person who thrives on streamlined, efficient processes, you might not cope well with a phased construction project. These jobs are, by nature, tougher to coordinate than projects that are completed all at once. Lots of people have to be kept in the loop about what is occurring on which dates, deliveries need to be scheduled at various times, and more plans, in general, will be necessary.
- It takes longer to finish overall – Although each part of a phased construction project should be completed fairly quickly, the overall job will take longer. This means you will have to live in a construction zone for quite a while, in all likelihood. This can be a double-edged sword. As you learned above, it will give you the chance to see if you need to change certain aspects of your design plan, but it can also get very frustrating to feel like your home is never going to be finished and there are always going to be people milling about.
- You may pay more over time – As time passes, things get more expensive, contractors’ and subcontractors’ rates go up, and things that were once in-stock suddenly have to be special ordered. If you run into any of these issues, which you probably will, you are likely to ultimately pay more for your remodel than you would’ve if you paid for the entire job upfront. Again, in some cases, this simply isn’t possible, but it is still worth taking into consideration.
The Hatch Homes team has long been helping families throughout the Carolinas, and Virginia renovate their houses. We will work with you to give you your dream home, too, no matter what your situation is. If you need a phased construction project in order to afford everything, we will make it happen. If you’d rather pay for your entire job up front, we’ll make that happen too. Give us a call to schedule a preliminary consultation. We look forward to meeting you!