“We’ll move it during construction.” You hear this a lot in new builds and renovations. Yet a change that seems simple once work has started can lead to costs, delays and compromises. Here’s why, and how to manage changes more clearly.
Before construction, adjustments are generally easier to manage
Before work begins, a change mostly requires design work: your professional may need to revise several drawings and, sometimes, some calculations. But the project can still be adjusted without undoing anything that has been built.
Keep in mind, though, that some items, like windows or cabinets, may be ordered or put into production before construction even starts. Ideally, validate your choices before orders are placed and fabrication begins.
On site, a change can affect several trades
Once construction has started, every part of the building is connected to the others. Moving a wall can affect:
- the structure and framing already in place;
- the electrical: outlets, switches and light fixtures to move;
- the plumbing and ventilation running through that wall;
- the finishes: drywall, paint, flooring and trim to redo around the moved element;
- materials already ordered or cut to size;
- the schedule of subcontractors, who sometimes have to come back.
A single change can involve several trades, each with its own costs and availability.
“Extras”: how they work
During construction, a change to what was planned is usually recorded in a change order, the document that describes the change. The word “extra” commonly refers to the additional work or cost that results from it.
How to manage changes: a change is sometimes necessary; what matters is handling it clearly. Before the modified work is carried out, agree in writing on:
- a description of the modified work;
- the price or how it will be calculated;
- the expected impact on the schedule.
Quebec’s Office de la protection du consommateur recommends including in your contract that the contractor must obtain your authorization before doing any work not provided for in the contract.
Delays cost too
A change isn’t measured in dollars alone. It can delay the rest of the project, push back a subcontractor’s arrival or shift your move-in date. If you’re selling your current home or your lease is ending, a few weeks’ delay can have serious consequences.
What to validate first, before construction
Some decisions are particularly hard to change once the project is under way:
- the position of walls and openings, especially load-bearing ones;
- the location of plumbing: sink, toilet, shower, island with a sink;
- the size and placement of windows: once they’re ordered or in production, a change can lead to fees and delays;
- kitchen cabinets, especially when they’re custom-made;
- the staircase, which affects several floors at once.
These are the items most worth validating carefully during design.
Why people change their minds along the way
People sometimes change their minds when they discover the spaces for real, once the walls are up: the bedroom looks smaller than expected, the hallway narrower or the kitchen less open. The plan was accurate, but it was hard to picture the real space by looking at it on paper.
Discover the space before construction
At Marche ton plan, in Brossard, we project your plan on the floor, full scale. You walk through your future home before the walls go up: you feel the size of the rooms, the width of the passages and where the openings are.
If something doesn’t feel right, you find out while there’s still time to discuss it with your professional, who can then assess and add the adjustments to your plans.
Planning a new build or a renovation?
Book a free 15-minute call with Marche ton plan. Let’s talk about your project and see how a session can help you validate your choices before construction begins.