Before agreeing to any new construction for your home, it is only natural for you to want to know what to anticipate during the process, including a timeline of what to expect and any setbacks that occur along the way. At K D Sweet Construction Company, owner Ken Sweet has made it his practice that prior to the beginning of a new project, any work that could make the home inhabitable for a few days or hours will be discussed in great detail long before the date ever arrives. In nearly all instances of a remodel or addition, says Sweet, it is possible for the family to remain home while the work is being completed. In fact, he explains that the Maryland home improvement contractors at K D Sweet Construction Company go out of their way to quarantine themselves, and their mess, from the rest of the home. Mainly, this is done by creating a separate entrance for the crew that doesn’t involve traipsing through the house, and keeping dust and dirt confined to one area.
Homeowners are often very concerned with playing an active role in their construction projects. However, when construction is being done, having a homeowner in the same room could pose a safety risk at certain times. While it is definitely your right as the homeowner and the one in charge of the purse strings to check up on the progress of the work as you see fit – and to make sure the contractors aren’t in midst of a heated game of Hangman—you probably don’t want to pull up a chair and watch every stroke of the hammer like a hawk. There is definitely a fine balance. Most homeowners realize that at the end of the workday, the crew, or Sweet himself, are available to answer any questions or address their concerns. It’s important that homeowners are continuously updated and shown what has been done, Sweet explains. Additionally, they also need to be told when there are delays or errors in the original construction of the home that are holding up the current project. Nothing about your home should be kept a secret.
Generally, says Sweet, once a project is underway, scheduling meetings between your contractor and yourself are rarely necessary because the communication happens naturally. Of course, if you are feeling left out of the loop or that your questions are being ignored, then you may find that setting up a formal meeting might be more effective. During a bigger construction project, Sweet says, you can expect to receive at least a weekly update.
Generally, once you meet with a contractor or if you have worked with the company previously, you can gain a pretty good sense of what to expect along the lines of communication and the crew’s ability to stay on track. However, since this is your home, you should never be afraid to voice your opinion and demand some answers.