The Construction Job Site

Job site planning and scheduling
How to make the construction process less stressful

     Scheduling in 2021    Because of the increased demand for home construction (and limited number of construction workers and Contractors in this area), we are now scheduling a year in advance. The earliest we could start your project is January 2022. For more information read: Construction Workers Wanted

    If you have done construction projects before, you may know what to expect and be prepared for some amount of inconvenience. With advance planning, coordination of subcontactors and accurate scheduling, we can minimize the uncertainty  that can accompany home construction.  Based on our experience (over many years and many types of new home construction, remodels and home additions), we have found certain strategies that work to keep the job as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. The following list may not apply to every job, but they are suggestions you might consider.

    Start Months in Advance    We suggest you start planning your project at least six months before your anticipated start date (you will need more time if you are having plans drawn). It can also take one to two months once the plans are submitted to the Building Department (longer for Bandon). We also need time to get bids from our subcontractors and suppliers and present you with an accurate estimate of job costs and approximate schedule for job completion. 

    Make Product Choices Early    Some products can be ordered and delivered within a few days to the job site, but some products have a lead time of 6-8 weeks. For a small construction job, these will need to be ordered before the job starts. Some examples are: specialty doors, windows, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, flooring or unusual design or color choices.

    Expect Some Noise and Chaos    Demolition, excavation, foundations, framing all use loud equipment and power tools. We will get through the noisy phase as soon as possible, keep the work area clean, keep building materials out of your way, remove debris, minimize dust with plastic sheeting ( if needed) and protect landscaping as much as possible.

    Prepare for the Unexpected    Because there are always some unknowns in construction (especially remodeling and repairs), there may be additional expenses not included in the original estimate or contract amount. We anticipate that change orders can arise based on owner requested changes or caused by concealed job site conditions or other factors.

    Scheduling of Subcontractors Goes Through Phases    We can only progress at a certain pace because there is much detail work involved in mechanical, plumbing, electrical and insulation work; these must be done in sequence and require building inspections. Drywall, painting, finish work, flooring, and installation of plumbing and electrical fixtures all take time and we can only work as fast as our sub-contractors allow. Many of our sub-contractors are experiencing high demand for their services, so at times, we need to wait to fit into their schedule. Because there are so many subcontractors involved, the job can seem to slow down at this stage.

    Trust Your Contractor    We know what we are doing, we have done this type of work for decades. Most contractors really do know more about building than: your neighbors, your co-workers, the guy who has worked for 2 weeks at a big box store and everyone else who is willing to give you "advice" on how to build something. Good advice would be from people you know who have had a successful construction experience. Ask them who the contractor was; also ask if they have had a bad experience and who the contractor was.  At Jerry Fedler Construction, we are always looking for new ways to make the construction process  better for everyone. We regularly study trade magazines like Fine Home Building and The Journal of Light Construction for new ideas in design, materials, tools, products and applications. We understand Building Codes and know when to involve Architects and Engineers.  We know ways to save you money and still build a quality product.