The solution: Educate your builders and trades! Ask the builder to compare the costs of the new take-off versus the old one. Also ask the builder if the waste removal costs have changed as less materials = less waste.
Construction Drawings
The more information you can provide on your construction drawings, the better the construction process. Trades look for and need more direction to complete their jobs satisfactorily. Take the imagination out of the building process and replace it with a standardized formula. This will reduce costs, trade inconsistencies, PDI deficiencies, callbacks and homeowner complaints. The designer / architect is the most reliable source for standardizing the construction process. Some suggestions are:
- Update the construction specifications to reflect your changes. These changes must be updated for permits.
- Work with the HVAC designers and include HVAC layout on the construction drawings.
- Consider marking plumbing and electrical layouts on the construction drawings. This will give the framers much needed direction and also standardize the installation process. A standardized process = reduced costs, less materials and improved quality.
- Provide drawing details of air barriers, tall walls, even dormer gable ends to standardize these details.
- Revise drawings as required and include a revision date so the site and trades knows which drawings are the most current ones.
- Work with your Builder to ensure that the drawings reflect the most current trade scopes of work.
Working closely with your builder / client may initially require more time and energy however, it is a winning recipe for sustainability and success: for the homeowner, for the builder, for the environment and for your company.
Al Schmidt is a building and energy consultant and trainer for EnerQuality Corp., a service provider for the R-2000 program, ENERGY STARâ for New Homes, Building Canada, LEED-H, GreenHouse Certified Construction and EnerGuide Rating System. EnerQuality has been in the business of promoting “best building” practices in Ontario since 1998.