“How did this happen?”
You have been working diligently on your vision for months now. Although your team has crossed every ‘T’ and dotted every ‘I’, somehow things didn’t turn out the way you planned. Plans and schedules can only take you so far, if there is no one to oversee the process and scrutinize every component each step of the way, all that dedicated preparation can go to waste.
The domino effect
The most critical component of an efficient team is communication and alignment. It all starts with adequately conveying the concept so that everyone involved understands what needs to be done and how to do it. Sometimes, certain obstacles arise due to lack of reviewing those choices. This domino effect varies drastically across trades and the repercussions can be anything from miniscule to dire depending on the level of involvement it would take to remedy the situation and timeframe at hand. High-level items pertain to unforgivable scopes, such as concrete. Once its poured, it is there to stay. Before pouring your foundation or slabs, make sure you are satisfied with the layout within and above, have you achieved the desired ceiling heights, do you have underground lines prepared for future utilities, is there enough natural light or egress exits, are you planning on installing any heavy bearing features like a kitchen island or stone walls. There are dozens of aspects to take into consideration and check prior to commencing integral scopes. Mid-level items are features that can be modified but may have unfavorable effects such as installing a wood burning fireplace instead of gas which would impact any obstructions above or installing a marble accent wall in an area that has inadequate bearing capacity. Low-level items relate to simple but onerous tasks like replacing tiles areas, re-staining floors or reorienting mechanicals. Everything is possible, but at the cost of capital and time. Quality control is not just about checking materials but anticipating potential discrepancies and illuminating the path towards the ultimate goal.
Foresee the unknown
Having experienced team members review every part of the project, from start to finish, from its onset, will help mitigate any unforeseen dilemmas. We spoke with some homeowners who have recently constructed custom homes about their experience on the subject. A family in Scarsdale had purchased a completed home built by KOSL Building, a well-known high-end builder, in 2020. They mentioned that although it was considered a Spec house, they were surprised at the level of thoughtfulness that was incorporated. “It was incredible, everything we asked was not just a ‘yes’ but an ‘its already done’. First we inquired about installing a pool and the process, they not only already secured the approvals but also had all the underground lines prepared for it. We then wanted to assess the cost of installing an elevator in the future to which they replied that the foundation already had footings in place with the linen closets above aligned for a future shaft. It was both amazing and impressive!” The couple had referred friends who had been inquiring about building a custom home to KOSL who we had the privilege of speaking to as well. The affluent couple had been through this process before, owning properties across the country and abroad. Deciding to grow their roots in Westchester, they decided to build a custom home which they recently completed in the summer of 2022. “It was refreshing”, speaking highly of their experience. “Most of us have heard or encountered the horror stories working with contractors; delays, change orders, poor quality. Given our past experience, our hesitancy to build a custom home was difficult to overcome, but after researching for the right property and builder over the course of 2+ years, we decided to commit. We are not only alleviated but thrilled to say our experience with KOSL and their team was second to none.” She further elaborated that “our builder was extremely creative and considerate. Providing us tons of options and guidance on how to not just build our dream home but also to preserve its value.” Noting that some ideas they had requested were creatively conducted in a positive manner such as “we didn’t want a dinning room, we always eat in the kitchen or family room and felt it was a waste. However we really wanted a first floor bedroom. We were advised of the impact not having a dining room can have on our home in the future, so KOSL modified the floor plan in such a way that created a lounge area and formal gallery off the kitchen which had collapsible concealed doors allowing the rooms to unite into a large dining room. After this past thanksgiving, we were thankful for the tasteful advice!”. Several other accommodations were made that were simple yet impactful, stating “once we moved in, I decided I wanted to set up an office in one of our spare bedrooms upstairs. Thinking it would be costly to run wires through finished walls, I was glad to learn that there were dedicated sleeves throughout the house to run future lines from the basement up, avoiding any invasive modifications.” When we spoke with a representative from KOSL about the features they provided these clients, they simply stated “that is our standard way of operating. Treat every home as if it is our own.”
More than meets the eye
Accountability and integrity are imperative in construction. Quality control has an abundance of subcategories that really come down to being proactive not reactive. While reviewing the quality and quantity of operations is a vital aspect of the process, fulfilling the objective effectively is the focal point of it all.
Do you have any quality control advice? Comment below!
