Real Estate of Los Altos

The methods of construction vary greatly from project to project, but there are three elements of construction that are important: schedule, quality, and cost. Some people say that only two of these three are achievable on any given project. Trying to maintain all three is a process of constant optimization and negotiation.

Another problem with construction is dealing with general contractors. Some people swear that all contractors are unscrupulous or incompetent. Is it possible that all of the contractors are bad? Or is it a problem with the process of construction that is inherently bad, and that all of the contractors take the blame for a difficult process.

Take for example the problems with changing scopes of work. Most projects end up with a great many changes occurring during all of the stages of design and construction. The contractor is tasked with changing materials and labor requirements throughout the project and still has to maintain a schedule and a budget. And during all of this changing scope and schedule, the contractor typically makes one and one-half percent profit according to national statistics.

The expectations of the general contractor’s expertise is what is flawed in this process. We want to be able to change the design, change the scope of work, balance the code compliance with our desired design, consume part of the schedule during these changes, and all the while make the contractor keep the same schedule, quality, and budget. This is a challenge for a very qualified individual.

So how do we live with this flawed process? By hiring the best general contractor or subcontractor that fits for you and your project, then dealing with the changes diligently and maturely. And by keeping in mind that all of the changes that happen during the course of construction directly affect the budget and the schedule.