Home Improvement Contractor - Licensed Contractors

I am working with a contractor to have a new home built. I would like to know is there anything a homeowner ?

can do that will make the contractor's job easier. Anything that will speed up the home building process. We are going to demolish the existing structure. I have already had the electric, water and gas turned off. We are currently waiting for our building permits.

Public Comments

1. Don't make any changes once construction has started.
2. There isn't much you can do. The contractor is at the mercy of the weather, for starters. He also needs to hire subcontractors or his own work crews. People get sick, quit, have family emergencies, etc. Speaking from personal experience, construction personnel are rather undependable. Your contractor may also be juggling another job or two along with building your house. Expect construction to take almost twice as long as the contractor has told you. I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I've built 2 houses and have never had anything go according to schedule.
3. Don't make changes during construction. Also, try not to piss the guy off. Hopefully you got a good contractor and if your friendly to him I'm sure he'll do you right.
4. OMG...theres many things you can do. Need permits first... but talk to your contractor and see what his plans are and if hes talked to this guy and that guy to make sure everything is planned. Are you picking things out..colors,fixtures,cabinets,counter-tops,appliances, tiles, carpets,wood flooring, do you have any say in this some contractors will let you pick stuff out and some (jerks) don't. Theres many,many things you can do its kinda up to the contractor if he lets ya, don't want to step on his toes.. Good Luck
5. Most importantly - provide workers with food bribes to keep them on your job site. Bring them steak sandwiches and soda and water and beg and plead with them to come back and work the next day. Contractors usually have many jobs that they work on simultaneously, so they'll work on your site for a couple of days, and then may not show back up for a week.
6. The most important quality in a contractor is trust, not initial price.