Ask the Builder
Job Scheduling Made Easy
By Tim Carter
©1993-2008 Tim Carter
Summary: Up front planning and job scheduling will help you, your contractor and subcontractors keep your building project running smoothly. Special orders will be spelled out and the delivery time determined up front. Each job listed should specify when it will be done.
DEAR TIM: My project is half completed. No one has shown for
a week to work. I called the contractor and I am getting the run-around. How
could I have avoided this? M. O.
DEAR M. O.: Your
contractor could possibly have a valid excuse. However, he should tell you what
his problem is without you having to ask. Most probably, he is experiencing a
scheduling delay dealing with either labor and or materials.
You can
minimize delays on your project by requesting a schedule from your contractor at
the beginning of your job. This schedule shows when each task will start and
finish. It should show when special order items must be ordered. This is
important because often they must be ordered weeks in advance.
How would you like me to build your new home? It's probably impossible for me to fit your job into my schedule, but I will gladly share hundreds of my tricks and building secrets with you and your builder. Check out my New House Specifications.
The schedule also is helpful to sub-contractors. Your contractor can see that each sub gets a schedule. They can see when they are expected to work on your job. This allows them to adjust their schedules so that they can be at your job when needed.
