Design-Build, Custom Home Remodeling, General Contractor, & Home Builder in Austin, TX

GC's offer services from the onsite of planning and designing all the way through building or remodeling and can manage a team of contractors, including remodelers, electricians, plumbers, roofers, and other specialized contractors.

The main differences lie in the scope and level of services provided:

• General Contractors (GC): Offer a wide range of services from the onset of planning and designing to the completion of the project. They handle all phases, including permits and managing a large trade base, including remodelers, electricians, plumbers, roofers, and other specialized contractors. General contractors offer more experience and a greater level of service that can be provided for the project as a whole.
• Standard Remodelers: Typically limited in scope, often handling smaller, less complex projects. They may not provide comprehensive services like a GC.

A general contractor can offer design and build services as well as comprehensive project management. This includes structural design and planning, pulling permits, and overseeing the entire project from start to finish. This can also include handling multiple phases of the remodeling project, coordinating tradesmen, and ensuring project timelines are met.

A general contractor like Contract Remodeling Services is a one-stop shop. You get a contractor that has the ability to handle multiple phases is not all phrases of a remodeling project or new construction.

Are you in the Austin area and looking for a general contractor? Reach out today to schedule a consultation.

It's imperative to have some type of an understanding of what your expenditures are going to be. This includes setting a maximum expenditure and establishing a realistic contingency fund:

1. Set a clear budget: Have a maximum budget in mind and be transparent with your contractor to avoid misunderstandings and financial overruns.
2. Contingency fund: Allocate an additional 20-30% of the project’s estimated cost to cover unforeseen expenses. This fund should be set aside in escrow.

An estimated project cost should not be considered as the overall cost because the actual overall cost cannot be calculated up front. The more intricate and the more difficult the remodel is, the more likely the estimated project cost will not perfectly align with the actual cost.

The typical payment schedule for a major project in the remodeling industry is called a 90-10 split. You have a 30% deposit, 30% to man the project on site, and another 30% that's an equated value point of the amount of work done and performed, such as pulling permits, time taken for a city inspector, etc. The final 10% is retained until the end of the job once complete.

Unforeseen setbacks are managed through change orders, which are adjustments to the project contract due to unexpected issues or changes in the project scope. It's important to have a clear process for handling these changes outlined in your contract.

Some of the main reasons a setback may occur on a design-build project include:

1. Unexpected Structural Issues
2. Design Changes
3. Permit Delays
4. Supply Chain Issues
5. Weather Conditions
6. Unforeseen Site Conditions
7. Budget Constraints

It helps both the homeowner and the contractor to be honest and up front regarding anticipated time frames, as this can impact the amount of time you must make alternative accommodations when you cannot reside in the home due to the renovations. There also needs to be flexibility taken into account as unforeseen setbacks may extend that time frame. Including that flexibility in the amount of time one can safely plan alternative accommodations is critical. We recommend homeowners arrange for a place to stay for a period longer than initially anticipated to accommodate potential delays. It is also important to maintain regular communication with your contractor about project timelines and any changes.