Home Builders often complain about subcontractors.
Our Dream Team!
They report experiences of arguing, lateness, inefficiency, sticker shock and miscommunication. All of these are costly in terms of money and relationships.
Knowing the potential hazards, at the beginning of this project, we decided to head off possible problems by calling a meeting with the whole group of subcontractors.
We called it an Integrated Design Team meeting. We met around a blond oak table in the slanting august sunlight in Lars’ office. Present at the meeting were the;
- Plumber
- Electrician
- General Contractor (us)
- HRV Technician
- Mandala Designer
- Head Carpenter
Home Design floor plans
Spread out on the table was 1) Site Plan 2) House Plans 3) Budget Sheet
We welcomed everyone to the project and spoke about our vision for the home and property. In this instance, our vision is: a Mandala for 2 adults, a teen, a dog or two and possibly a horse. We like to garden and love nature, but don’t want to attract bear to the property. We see this home and property as a type of a “Demonstration Project” showing what’s possible in building a Mandala , in a high performance, healthy home and in sustainable building and living practices We have a high value for meaningful shelter, thriving for planet and people and an ideal vision for building.
When you build, you often subcontract particular aspects of the project.
With the group, we looked at where we were right then, what resources are available on the property and what the next steps were in the building process.
It was brilliant. Fun and clear communication happened. For example, the plumber had a chance to point to an area in the proposed mechanical room and the electrician was able to discuss his needs for wall surface. The two subcontractors were able to look at the plans, put their heads together and map out an efficient use of mechanical room space early on in the process on paper rather than later in the process on the real wall. This saves tremendously in time, money and headache.
Our experience with the subcontractors has been incredibly positive. I don’t know if it’s because of our approach, because of good luck or from living in this area for a long time and having local connections, or all of the above?!
But, what I do know is that we’ve had a team of angels helping our dream project. And, for that…we are grateful!