Construction Sequence Matters

Another thing I see is the rush to start framing.

Everybody likes seeing lumber go up because suddenly it looks like a house.

But faster isn't always better.

I prefer to get as much foundation-related masonry and concrete completed as practical before framing begins.

That can include steps, porches, garage slabs and other work depending on the design.

Why?

Because access is easy.

A concrete truck has room to maneuver. Crews aren't trying to work underneath framed porches. We're not dragging concrete farther than necessary. Workers have proper steps instead of constantly tracking mud into the structure.

There's also less opportunity for equipment to damage framing that's already standing.

And perhaps most importantly, I'm not asking a subcontractor to return weeks later for one tiny piece of work.

Anyone who has managed construction knows how difficult that can be.

Sometimes Building Better Means Slowing Down

A good construction schedule isn't simply about starting the next trade as quickly as possible.

It's about completing work in an order that makes every trade's job easier and gives them the best opportunity to produce quality work.

That's something experience teaches you.

Sometimes waiting a few extra days before framing can save considerably more time and aggravation later.

The homeowner may never see that decision.

But they'll live with the result.

That's another example of what I call professional care: thinking several steps ahead instead of simply worrying about what's happening on the job today.

There are several ways to build a home's foundation, but when the site and house design are appropriate for it, a monolithic slab can be one of the simplest ways to get a house out of the ground.

One reason I like it is the efficiency of the process.

The concrete contractor can handle a large portion of the foundation work as one coordinated system.