“Should We Do It Now or Later?”
In construction, preparation is everything. Critical thinking is the key to mitigating future issues as there are many esoteric aspects that may not be feasible or a current priority but will be difficult to accomplish down the road if not properly prepared for at the right time.
Prepare and Plan
When it comes to practical planning, every component from start to finish needs to be mapped out with a plan to minimize unnecessary expenses and detrimental mistakes. There are dozens of examples varying from site to structure preparation that fall within the bounds of future foresight. Some obstacles are related to external parties that impede the ability to accomplish certain tasks that need to be creatively addressed, such as the prolonged gas moratorium. Con ed for years has claimed that there is a substantial gas shortage, resulting in hindering the ability for new construction to receive natural gas if there is not already an existing connection of comparable size. When asking local developers how they have overcome this dilemma, some have devised unique solutions and strategies. We spoke with KOSL Building, an established residential developer who builds several high-end homes annually throughout Westchester, NY and Greenwich, CT, on how they have been addressing this issue. KOSL explained that when they initially heard about the moratorium years ago, they immediately installed gas lines on properties that were part of subdivisions, allowing each one of the new parcels to have the appropriate gas preparation in place. While new lines require POEs (Point of Entry), existing ones can remain intact for future use, allowing them to prioritize newly created lots to qualify while having “grandfathered” lots ready for the future. KOSL stated they also look for sizeable homes that are intended for demolition so that they are relatively comparable in size to the proposed development, ensuring the existing gas line is suitable for the new home. In a worst-case scenario, they install underground propane tanks with conversion kits on appliances and mechanicals so when natural gas eventually becomes available, it’s merely a simple modification.
Strategize and Implement
We have seen many prospective homeowners and unprepared developers fall into the domino effect resulting from inadequate planning. Experience and a proactive mentality are the drivers to ensure future aspects and features of construction are addressed early on.
What are your mitigation strategies? Comment below!
