Plans are made, budgets are set, yet it seems like all too often, timelines and budgets are thrown into disarray the minute a project gets off the ground. Why does this seem to happen so frequently in the commercial construction industry, and what’s the secret to staying on track?

Believe us when we tell you, it doesn’t have to be this way. At Seacoast Construction, we pride ourselves on delivering final projects as promised. Every time. Yet things do come up throughout the course of a build or renovation, and builders, owners, and subcontractors all have to be flexible and in constant communication in order for things to carry on as planned.

Here are a few things we’ve learned over the years that have allowed us to consistently deliver on-time, on-budget builds:

• Plan, plan, plan– Set your project up for success with adequate pre-construction planning. Define your objectives, understand the materials you’ll need and how you’ll obtain them, and set your budget. With detailed pre-construction planning, you’ll all be working towards the same goals and milestones and will be able to get the project quickly back on track if (and when) challenges arise.
• Engage your contractor early– Bringing the general contracting team in early saves you the headache of having to change course once a project is underway. They are also able to anticipate potential roadblocks if they’re involved in the project from the start. Take advantage of their guidance on how best to avoid any time or budget hiccups.
• Communicate– The easiest way for a project to go off course is to assume the other party knows what’s going on and, more importantly, to assume that the other party is on the same page as you. With so many cooks in the kitchen, it’s imperative for there to be a central project manager who is in constant contact with the project owner, subcontractors, and other involved parties. This communication and transparency is key to keeping the project on track with timelines and budget because any potential issues can be addressed and corrected immediately.

Completing an on-time, on-budget build does not have be rocket science. With a little planning and communication, you will be on your way in no time. Give us a call or send us a quick email when you’re ready to start.