- HousingZone.com

Consistent Construction Quality

You never know what lies behind the walls of an existing home. Every remodeling project is unique. Renovating an existing home is much harder than building a new home.

These are some of the proverbs of the remodeling industry, but they can also be used as excuses. This slippery slope leads to callbacks, profit slippage and unhappy customers.

This forum is designed to help remodelers get the job done right the first time. To add ideas of your own, ask a question or make a comment, e-mail Professional Remodeler Editor Kimberly Sweet at ksweet@reedbusiness.com.

Five Essentials of Consistent Construction Quality

Put these elements in place and get the job done right the first time

By Kimberly Sweet, Editor

1. A culture of excellence
If you take it for granted that every job is plagued with misunderstandings, damaged supplies, inept subcontractors and infuriating architects, and that it's not a remodeling job unless at least one item has to be installed twice — well, you're right. It's easy to fulfill low expectations. More

2. Skilled field workers
Siding-1 employs several project managers, but subcontractors do all of the hands-on work in siding, roofing, windows and carpentry. Many of the crews have been with the company for years, but Conforti still has rules for screening new crews. More

3. Reliable products
You and your customers want building products and materials that look good, work hard and don't crack, fade, rot, mold, or fall apart. There are a couple of ways to get this. More

4. Clear, frequent communication
It begins with a detailed proposal or contract that addresses construction standards and product selections to ensure that the final product is both well built and in accordance with homeowner requirements. More

5. Quality control
Despite the best prep work, mistakes can and do happen. Completing great projects on a regular basis requires a system to catch and fix mistakes during production.More

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