You’ve seen it before. A sign goes up that says Coming Soon! Construction begins, then suddenly stops. The site is clear of workers and equipment. Now, a For Sale sign goes up. This happens on both the commercial and personal level. How can you be sure this doesn’t happen with your build?
1. Proper Planning
One of the main reasons that building projects fail or are never finished is poor planning. Taking the time to research and properly plan your project is vital. This time is not wasted but invested. What are the building codes regarding building in your area? What permits are needed? Are there restrictions on building size or function? How close can you build to your property line/septic/house…etc? These are all important questions that need to be answered before your project begins.
2. Unexpected Costs
What is the estimated cost of the build? What materials do you want to use? Do these materials fit with code and weather extremes in your area? How much do permits cost if you need them? How will the build be connected to utilities? Will that require extra work and cost? Getting hit with a sudden expense to switch materials, acquire permits, or reroute utilities can be a fatal blow to your budget. Lay out all possible costs on paper and then double check your numbers with an expert to make sure they are accurate so you can avoid the next problem listed.
3. Insufficient Funding
Once you have thoroughly planned your project, take the time to make an exact budget. Don’t start a project based on rough guestimates and what you think things should cost. Get concrete numbers when making your budget. Whether you are getting a loan or using savings, don’t rush into a project without being financially prepared. It is better to do a project once and well than to have it fail due to poor financial planning. Always have at least 10% above what you need for when the inevitable problem comes up during construction or the unexpected cost.
4. Changing the plan
When additions or changes are made to the original agreement it can cause delays in building your pole barn. Changes can also bring in unexpected costs. Sticking to the plan is the best way to avoid this problem. This does not mean that small adjustments cannot be made or that there is no flexibility; however, taking the time to research and plan a project as well as planning for possible changes in the budget can help avoid the need to make changes and prepare for ones that may be necessary. As the saying goes, “Plan your work, then work your plan!”
5. An unreliable builder
Having a reliable builder who can be trusted is vital to having a successful build. Look into their reputation and ask questions. Is it important to them to be in accordance with local building codes? Do they have insurance coverage? Have they considered problems that the location could bring? Will they communicate well with you? Are they invested in producing a quality product or just interested in the money? At Milmar we can assure you that honesty, efficiency, and quality are only a few of the positive remarks you will find in our feedback section and we strive to have the best communication in our industry! No waiting a week to hear back from us!
Don’t let your project fail. Research, plan, and prepare for your project. If you don’t want to take on your building alone, secure a trustworthy builder. If you are in northern Indiana or southern Michigan, contact us at Milmar and let us help turn your well thought out plan into a reality.