ROOM ADDITIONS

Excellent plans, ones that include numerous detailed drawings of specific elements of the home, spreadsheet formatted schedules that contain each aspect of how a room is to be finished, which exact plumbing fixtures go where, what appliances are being installed, etc. can actually speak clearly for the entire length of the job. Believe it or not, it is entirely possible for a builder to receive a set of plans and specifications that are so detailed, they never have to ask one question of the architect or homeowner. The finished product turns out exactly as the homeowner desired, assuming, of course, the homeowner understood the plans.

Once you have great plans and written specifications, you need a good contract. I am not an attorney but I can tell you that all sorts of things need to be addressed. For example, specific events need to happen for monies to be paid. A good contract talks about what happens if a change order is issued. Good contracts also spell out dispute resolution choices. Keep in mind that the plans and specifications need to be dated and the contract should refer to these with respect to the work that will be done. Consult with several good attorneys and find one that can show you a copy of a contract you understand and one that covers many of your concerns.

Try to address quality expectations up front. To the best of your ability produce photographs or cite things that both you, the builder and other parties can actually see that represent the quality you are looking for. It is okay for you to expect perfection, but clearly define what perfection means to you and be prepared to pay for it.

I talked about perfection today in my deposition. My discussion included a reference to a double standard. I felt it was very unrealistic for a person who makes mistakes in his or her work and still grabs a paycheck at the end of the work week to expect total perfection from another person.

Poor workmanship and perfection are never to be confused. Many instances of defects in new construction are poor workmanship and those errors must be corrected by the builder. Some flaws that people point out may not be workmanship defects but actual flaws in the material. For example, you may look at the face of a top model from five feet away and think she is gorgeous. But ask her if you can use a 10 power magnifying lens to look at the skin on her face. If you blink for a moment as you adjust the lens from her skin, you might think you are looking at the surface of the moon. Always keep in mind what you are looking at.