Does sweat equity save money?

Here’s a question I often get, “Bob, we are very handy.   We can paint, do the demolition and  lay the tile ourselves.  Is there work we can do to save money on our project?”

Hmm, how to answer that question with kindness and honesty?

The answer is a definite maybe.  I always provide a schedule of values spreadsheet that shows a line-by-line breakdown of budget costs for each area of any project. Homeowners can look at this and decide if they want to do the demolition or the painting or even the tile. I can then deduct that item from the schedule of values spreadsheet.

Here are some things to consider about whether it is worth it to put in some sweat equity.  Have you done this type of work before?  Do you feel confident that you can finish your part in a timely manner so that the project is not delayed?  What a professional crew can do in a day most homeowners can’t do in a three day weekend. Often the work performed by the homeowner doesn’t quite get finished and the professionals have to step in to finish. In these cases the savings might not be worth it. Also there is no warranty on any work provided by the homeowner.

What can we do?  I’m happy to discuss how you can step in and take care of items that can save money. A lot of this can be done in the research-shopping mode of the project. Shopping online for discounts on sinks, faucets, lighting fixtures, even appliances can save you 20-60%. I had one client buy a six-burner gas stove via Amazon prime and get free shipping. He saved thousands.

If, after considering everything that goes into what you want to do you still decide that you want to give the “sweat equity” a try, then great!  I will gladly support your decision.  After all, if all goes well, maybe after this project you can become one of my subcontractors! ☺

Good, Fast, Cheap- Pick The Two You Want: (Or why I started Design Build Associates and why it’s best for you)

We all want a deal.  Especially since the recession, we look for the Buy One Get One Free deals, the holiday sales and the coupons. Phone apps like “Offer Up” and “Close 5” and the online Craigslist give us for sale by owner deals. Sometimes we get lucky and find that item we want at deep discounts.

As the owner of Design Build Associates, I often get this request, “I need a GOOD, Cheap qualified licensed and insured electrician, plumber, general contractor…” (Fill in the blank here).

The concept of good, fast, and cheap pick the two you want, is often called the project management triangle, the triple constant, or the iron triangle.

According to the diagram, here are your choices:

Good + Fast = NOT Cheap

When you choose this option you get the best quality materials and labor at the fastest speed. Your contractor is typically respected in the community for doing excellent work and your job is a priority. The job site is well maintained and is clean. There are very few problems and the problems that arise are taken care of quickly and efficiently. People who choose this option are usually very satisfied with the process and the product. The saying “you get what you pay for” applies here.

Good + Cheap = NOT Fast

Cutting costs means something has to be cheaper.  Usually this means cheaper and lower quality materials and either paying a contractor less or paying a less qualified contractor. Your job will not have priority. Labor will be performed only when the contractor has time to leave projects that are paying full price. Problems that arise may take longer to finish or you may have to deal with the problems yourself. The jobsite may not be cleaned well each day. In the end you get a product that may be well executed but will still be lower quality due to the materials used. At the end it may look good but it won’t last as long. Doing a job this way takes a very long time to finish.

Fast + Cheap = NOT Good

Think Band-aid. The contractor is covering up a problem and making it look good temporarily. When you pick this option the end product is inferior and in many cases has to be redone.

A New Way of Thinking?

Most people want to choose Good and Fast, but the reality of economics demands a need for something between good and fast and good and cheap.  What if there was a fourth option, something like “Good, Fast, and Reasonable”?

Since I can’t beat the GFC model, I’ve decided to change the paradigm.

As an artist, designer and project manager, I thought there must be some way to make the construction process better. This was the catalyst behind the creation of Design Build Associates.

Is “Good, Fast, and Reasonable” possible? (The DBA Difference)-

I tell people I can do anything with time money and people. I can literally pick up your house and spin it around and set it back on the foundation, but that’s not reasonable.

I often meet with clients who have spent thousands of dollars on a set of plans only to find they can’t afford to build the project, or they do not understand the good, fast, and cheap model and have hired cheap and fast or good and cheap only to find the money is now wasted and they have to start over.

How can we have a project using top quality materials and labor that is still reasonable? Since we want to use the best materials possible, the key here is time. If a project is managed efficiently, wasted time is eliminated and we can have Good, Fast and Reasonable.

The DBA difference

To achieve maximum efficiency, I have divided any project into three steps.

Step 1- Budget: DBA meets with you, discusses the project and formulates a budget for the project. You now know what the project will cost. If the budget works, you move on to step 2.

Step 2- Design/Plans: DBA creates plans for construction. You approve the plans. You now know a budget cost and what the project is going to look like. You choose to move to step three.

Step 3- The Project: DBA schedules and manages the contractors as your representative. These contractors build your project using superior construction methods in a timely manner. 

The bottom line?  The most efficiently managed job is the key to achieving a good product with reasonable costs in a timely manner.

Deals are great. I personally always shop for the best price. I refer clients to websites where they can find discounts on great products. When it comes to a construction project in your home, however, a deal on a cheap contractor is not what you need. Instead, you need a project manager who understands the intricacies of orchestrating a project using qualified trades and the best materials to create a final product that you will love with reasonable costs in a timely manner. I believe that this approach to construction is the best way for you. This is the DBA difference.

For more information please visit the website, www.yourdesignbuildassociates.com. 

Welcome!

Welcome to Design Build Associates!

We are a unique Construction Management group. Our mission is to navigate the complex world of construction as your advocate and representative, resulting in a personalized space that you will love.

Design Build Associates takes a different approach to construction, one that takes the worry and guesswork out of your project by putting together the right team of professionals for you. Our process is streamlined and efficient, saving you time, money and aggravation.  

We are passionate about your project and use only the best craftsmanship and materials to create the best space for your family. We welcome questions and input and will only be satisfied with your new space when you are.  

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until then,

Bob