Renovating an 1BHK apartment usually takes 2 months or maximum 3 months time. Not more than that. But there are few projects that go on for more than a year. We choose to write this article to help home owners know the possibilities for delay in work and how could it be avoided.
Reasons for Delay in Renovation
Miscommunication :-
One of the major reasons for delay in work is lack of communication among Homeowners, Homeowners and Contractor or Interior Designer, Hired professional and material dealers and professional and his labourers. Very often homeowners don’t know or are unaware of what questions to ask the hired professional (contractor or Interior Designer). Also the hired professional takes it for granted that homeowner is aware of things that probably are not discussed.
Lack of Decision Making :-
Many homeowners are often found guilty when it comes to making changes once renovation work begins. Change in design, tiles, paint etc, can lead to not only delay in work but also adds to labor cost, material cost and other expenses. Many a time spouses disagreements lead to delay in work.
To avoid delay due to lack of communication, homeowners shall discuss and think of all items required before planning for renovation. Also it is best to think through various wish list items before the project begins so that the project isn’t delayed or over budget due to changes. The best way is to scarpbook favrorite paint colors, furniture, design layout, etc. to help the professional understand their choice of stuff.
Delay in Payments :-
Delay in payments of material or even to contractor can delay supply and thus renovation work too.
Societies rules and Regulations :-
Other reason for Delay in renovation work is due to Society objection and BMC. Let’s say that homeowner want to changes the direction of the room or build a partition wall, etc. In such cases society approval is must. Sometimes the structure may not be able to bare extra load in certain areas or afford to have a wall borken. To know if any such changes can be made, homeowner needs to take society permission before starting the work to also avoid last moment delays and objection.
How to Avoid Delay in Renovation
Hire a known Professional :-
To avoid above delays we suggest home owners to hire a known professional. Homeowners can talk to their relatives, friends who have gone through renovation before. They serve as great help who provide information for what questions to ask and what to know.
Regular Meetings :-
Having regular meetings with your hired professional can help avoid delays even if it’s a check by phone call. Regular meeting also help home owners know for if any delay in work and reason behind it. Also keep notes on what is talked and changes made to avoid misunderstandings.
Site visit :-
A visit on site also help home owner study about renovation process, ask questions relating renovation work and aid the professional if needed.
[updated on 25-Feb-2023 By Nitin, founder of Contractorbhai.com]
Below are some random reasons why projects get delayed..
No Decision
Sometimes homeowners are not able to make decisions. There are two options to choose from, the homeowner is unable to decide which one to choose. This adds delay.
No Design & Planning
When a homeowner starts work with Contractor without having a clear plan of action, it creates a lot of puzzle solving in the middle of the project. Instead of this if you have an interior design & plan ready, you simply stick to it. You have taken all decisions before even work starts. Many decisions might change in the middle of a project, but in this case you improvise. You will be in control.
Contractorbhai interior design service was started to solve this same problem. For small affordable fees, you get complete interior design & planning ready. You are in complete control of the situation.
Payment delay
Contractors usually suggest a payment schedule. For whatever reasons when homeowners delay making copayment in time, work speed gets slow. Contractor may or may not tell you clearly that he has reduced the number of team members. He may or may not tell you that he is not starting a new task. But work speed definitely will come down, if you are not making payment on time.
Homeowners sometimes think they can control the contractor by not making payments, or squeeze him to do work faster by not making payment. But this can backfire the project. So be careful.
Society / neighborhood issues
In the middle of the project society committee or neighbor comes forward with some complaints. There could be various reasons – legit & may not be legit. Ethical or may not be ethical. But you as a homeowner have to protect your contractor & make sure all required issues within society are resolved. Be honest with the contractor & explain if you are doing some work without permissions. When cops come, they don’t take the homeowner, they take the contractor or his team member to the police station. All parties are aware of what happens next. After homeowner visits the police station & explains the situation, the team member will be released… At the end of the situation you will lose some money, you will waste some time.
Working hours
Most societies do not allow noise making work during afternoons, evenings , weekend.. This adds delay.
Partial working
If you are still living in the same house & allowing work to happen inside some part of the house. Work will happen in stages. This will add delays.
Schedule of work vs schedule of payments
Best option is to ask your contractor to tell you in advance what work will be completed in weeks time or next 10 days. Ask him how much payment has to be released against it. This way you will keep checking progress & make payment for the same.
Hidden / Concealed unknown
There are unavoidable situations where in the middle of a project you come across some concealed wiring or plumbing or beam or column or core part of wall. In some cases these details may not be visible when work starts. These are unavoidable. This can cause a change in plan & some delay.
Lift availability
For transporting material to higher floors, lift availability can be an issue. There could be timing restrictions or scarcity. This can add delays. Homeowner has to support the contractor & talk to society & get required ease in use of Lift.
Material unavailable
Delay due to Building Material Home Interior design work
Many shops will let you select material, but after an order is placed they will delay the order. It is always a good idea to check with the shopkeeper if tiles/laminates or any other material you are selecting is readily available.
Complete material selection as early as possible. This way labour does not have to spend time waiting for any material. Most of the material should be available before any task starts..
Weather issues
In rare cases extreme weather can add up delays in work. In Mumbai every rainy season there are 2-3 weeks when the whole city comes to a standstill. This factor is not in anyone’s control. You simply cannot do much about it.
Labour missing
In the summer season, many workers travel to their hometown. It becomes difficult for contractors to find the required team. At the worker level people skip work without any notice. Contractor tries his best to handle the team & avoid such situations. But at times this will happen. Homeowner should not lose temper. Unfortunately contractors just cannot control laborers who work on daily wages.
Festivals / IND-Pak Match / Political Situation / Big Events
Certain events – good & bad, work will take a break.
Hire Single contractor
If you have one single point of contact. One single in-charge of the project. Communication becomes easy. It becomes easy to coordinate. There are no communication gaps. Speed of execution goes up…
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