This is the final post in a 5-part series on what you need to know before embarking on a home project. If you missed the earlier posts, go back and read parts 1-4.
The fifth and final thing you should know before starting a home project: do not try to align construction completion with a major life event.
This is the number one red flag for contractors. When clients try to time their project with a wedding, a baby, someone moving in, or any other major milestone, experienced builders will tell you flat out: don't do it.
Why It's a Bad Idea
The major life event already comes with its own package of stress, excitement, pressure, and a deadline. You don't need to tack on another one on top of that. That's just asking for trouble.
Construction is always going to take more time than expected. I hate to say that, but it's true.
When clients ask how long something is going to take to build, architects and contractors give a range because it's understood that the timeline is going to have to stretch. Most likely.
If you try to time it with getting married, having a baby, or someone moving in, you're trying to make all the stars in the universe align on the same day. And that just never happens. Maybe once in a blue moon.
Quality, Schedule, Budget: Pick Two
There's a saying that's been repeated many times: quality, schedule, and budget. You cannot have all three.
This applies to any project—architecture, design, manufacturing, anything. It's nearly impossible to have all three. Something's going to have to give.
I can go fast and have it be high quality, but it's going to cost more.
I can have really high quality and stay on budget, but it might take longer.
I can go fast and stay on budget, but quality will suffer.
I like to talk to clients pretty early on about this. When push comes to shove, when things don't go according to plan, which of those three are you going to give up first?
Some people will say schedule. "It's more important to me that this project turns out high quality. I don't care if it takes an extra three months."
Other folks might say, "No, schedule is critical. I have this deadline. It needs to be done." Okay, well then it's either going to cost you more, or it's not going to be as high quality.
I hate to sound harsh about it, but that's the reality. That's the physics of a project.
It's worthwhile for clients to tell their architects and contractors which of those three things is most important to them—even if they don't ask—because then everyone is on the same page.
Making Decisions Under Stress
Trying to align your project with a life event is going to add stress. And making decisions under stress most likely leads to poor decision-making.
You're not thinking rationally. You're reacting because you're under pressure from something else, some other influence. You're not actually responding to the decision you have to make.
I've seen projects where clients try to line things up this way, and they get to a point where they say, "You know what? Let's just stop. Let's hit pause because this is not working."
Mostly because the client feels a massive amount of stress, and they realize it's not sustainable. They'll say, "That does not work. Let's just pause. You were right. I'll resume this later on down the line."
You're Diminishing Your Happiness
Here's another way to think about it: if you line up a remodel or new home construction with a major life event like a baby or a marriage, you're actually diminishing the amount of happiness and satisfaction you could get if you split these two events apart.
If they come at the same time, you won't be able to have as much excitement for either of them as if they were happening in two different timelines.
Instead of trying to smash together birthdays and Christmas, keep them separated. More treats for later.
Deadlines Are Fine…Just Be Realistic
It's good to have deadlines. Everyone wants to be done by the end of the year because next year something is happening. That's fine.
But there are different categories of life events. Having a kid is a real big deal. That gets very scary when you're trying to time construction around it.
Trust Your Team
In an odd way, this all comes back to an earlier point: establishing the right team means trusting them.
If they give you advice and say you should really listen to this, you should probably listen to it. It's not that they want to be right and have the final word. It's because it's not their first project. They've seen it. They've done it. They're just trying to help you out.
Be prepared. Be realistic. Give yourself breathing room.
Your project, and your sanity, will thank you.
That's the end of the series. If you found this helpful, share it with anyone about to start a home project.