TEN things I learned while building my own house

Contributing Editor John Bleasby has closed the book on his reportage on building his own home. You can see his various blogs by typing “Pilot” in the search bar. We asked him for a list of Ten Things he learned. Here you go….

1. Vision: Every new home project or major renovation is based on a lifestyle vision. If you, as contractor, are working directly with clients without an architect as intermediary, have your client articulate their vision to you, perhaps promoted by your key questions.
2. Budget: There must be a financial plan before work can begin. Without a budget, the project can get either stalled, radically altered mid-stream or worse; you might not get paid!
3. Drawings: It is risky to sketch building or renovation plans on the back of an envelope. Proper drawings are necessary so everyone involved can estimate how much time the work will take, how much materials will be consumed, and understand what the finished product should look like.
4. Picking the Trades: While lowest price is a good guide to value, it is not the final factor. Trust, reputation, and ‘gut feel’ of who will be good to work with will prove more important.
5. Schedules: Lay out a full and reasonable timetable for the entire project. Factors beyond anyone’s control will come into play. However without targets and milestones, it is impossible to schedule trades and materials accurately.
6. Organization: Stay on top of everything. Don’t let work run ahead of available materials. Anticipate what comes next and be on top of it.
7. Communication: Keep your future trades up to date on where the project stands. Schedule changes are inevitable, but your trades will appreciate your communication and will keep you at the top of their priority list.
8. Payment: Confirm payment arrangements before the job begins. Pay promptly, and get paid. Your reputation amongst the trades works both ways.
9. Appreciation: Keep things upbeat on the jobsite. Show your appreciation for the work done by giving praise. Motivate the trades to do their best work by encouraging initiative when problems arise.
10. Don’t Interfere: No one likes an interfering know-it-all, whether it’s the customer, you the contractor, or a tradesman who thinks he can do everyone else’s job better. If you hired good people, let them get on with their jobs.

follow John on twitter   @john_bleasby