It can often be a problem during the pre-construction period, that materials are delayed due to supply chain disruptions, and if this isn’t planned for properly, it can cause significant delays.
Now more than ever, issues with global suppliers are causing havoc for many construction projects, with materials being delayed for weeks at a time, being completely unavailable, or prices fluctuating wildly, particularly with lumber.
To help keep your construction project on schedule despite issues with supply chains, here are a few handy hints:
Be sure to order early
Before construction even begins, many materials need to be selected and ordered. For those who are new to home building, they often don’t appreciate the importance of this, and take their time to choose such things as windows, doors and trusses, each of which can delay a project a by many weeks and months if not ordered early enough.
If you’re working with an experienced construction contractor, they will advise you of the need to select materials as soon as possible, helping keep the project on track and within budget.
Shop around when it comes to vendors
If you’re finding that certain vendors are not able to supply you with what you need, when you need it, try other vendors until you find one who can help you fulfil your needs. While this can be time consuming, if your project is being run by a reputable general contractor and their team of subcontractors, they will do the shopping around for you, and with their insider knowledge of which ones can be depended upon for quality materials at the best price, they’ll do their best to keep the build on track.
Be flexible
Having rigid ideas about both your design and your budget, may not fare you well if certain items or materials aren’t available, or have increased significantly in price. Be prepared to find an alternative if you need to, and to have as much flexibility as possible, so that your construction team can continue working and building.
Hire a turn-key construction contractor
You can make life so much easier for yourself if you find a reputable construction contractor in your area who can provide you with full design-build services. From floor plans and renderings to blueprints, permitting and subcontractors, having one team who can take care of everything can reduce the time frame for the build significantly, and is usually a cost effective and hassle free way to complete a construction project of any kind.
There may always be certain issues with the supply chain when planning a construction project, but they don’t have to ruin the project and leave it unfinished for months on end, or costing double the expected amount. Work with a local construction contractor and you’ll find that supply chain issues become their worry, not yours, and with a bit of luck, you may not even know about it!