Why Your Renovation Timeline Depends on Pre-Construction Planning

How Does Remodel Contracting Ensure A Project Stays On Time And Budget?

Ever wondered why some home renovations turn into nightmares while others flow seamlessly from start to finish? The difference isn't luck—it's strategy. In this eye-opening conversation with general contractor Jeff Bass, we dive deep into the systems and accountability measures that keep projects on time and on budget at Remodel Contracting.

Jeff challenges the industry norm by revealing his unconventional approach: doing more work before a project starts than after it begins. "For me personally, I do more work myself before the project starts than I do after the project starts," he explains, detailing how comprehensive planning eliminates the surprises and delays that plague most renovations. His refreshing stance on change orders—essentially that they should rarely be necessary with proper planning—offers homeowners hope that renovations don't have to come with unexpected costs.

The episode unveils the critical importance of detailed estimates that go beyond simple pricing to capture every nuance of a project, from the temperature of LED lighting to the precise positioning of fixtures. Jeff shares his insight that most clients would rather delay starting a project than have their home disrupted for longer due to mid-project delays—a perspective that puts client comfort first. His willingness to participate in the design process rather than simply installing whatever clients select showcases a partnership approach to renovation that's rare in the industry.

Whether you're planning a bathroom update, kitchen overhaul, or whole-home renovation, this episode provides the insider knowledge you need to identify contractors who will respect your time, budget, and vision. Ready to transform your outdated space without the headaches? Discover the Remodel Contracting difference and learn why proper planning might be the most valuable tool in your renovation toolkit.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome to the Remodel Contracting Podcast,
where outdated spaces meet theirmodern makeover destiny.
Hosted by Jeff Bass, generalcontractor, home renovation
expert and guy who firmlybelieves your avocado green
bathroom has gotta go.
Based in the DFW Metro, remodelContracting is here to help you
level up your living spaceBecause, hey, you updated your

(00:27):
wardrobe, now it's time toupdate your home.
Expect more, live better.
Let's remodel.

Speaker 2 (00:41):
Managing a remodel without blowing the timeline or
the budget isn't luck, it'sstrategy.
Here's how we keep thingsmoving at Remodel Contracting.
Welcome back everyone.
I'm Sofia Yvette, co-host,slash producer, back in the
studio with general contractorand home renovation expert, jeff
Bass.
Jeff, how's it going?

Speaker 3 (01:01):
Doing wonderful and happy to be here, Sofia.

Speaker 2 (01:04):
Happy to have you on, Jeff, so our listeners would
love to know how does remodelcontracting ensure a project
stays on time and on budget?

Speaker 3 (01:15):
Well, sophia, staying on time and on budget.
One thing that I firmly believeis it is not about slogans,
it's about systems and it'sabout accountability.
So we like to have clear scope,clear plan.
We don't start a project untilwe have a full scope and a
mutual understanding ofexpectations.

(01:35):
You know, we, I firmly believein realistic scheduling, we
build in buffers, we plan forpotential delays and we create
realistic timelines that don'tset up clients for
disappointment.
I believe in having dailyoversight and communications.
That means regular site visits,daily check-ins with the crew

(01:58):
and client updates.
We're present and we'reaccountable.
I believe in transparent budgettracking.
I believe in progress reportsas the project's going along
with no surprise costs.
I don't believe in, I'm a firmbeliever in not having change
orders.
I believe that we should.
If we plan ahead properly, thatthere hopefully isn't much need

(02:22):
for a change order along theway.
You know, unless there's changeorders, I believe are for
things that are unforeseen andunknowing.
For example, we don't knowwhat's behind drywall until we
take that drywall down.
But even in cases like that,you know, I have those
discussions at the planningphase with the client.
You know if we're removing asoffit, a fur down in a kitchen

(02:44):
or a bathroom.
It may have duct work, plumbing, electrical.
You don't know what's hiddenbehind that until you get into
it and I make sure the clientunderstands that before we start
the project that you know thatmay be something that may be
additional work but, like I said, I don't believe in surprise
costs.

(03:08):
I try to make sure we have afull and accurate scope and
mutual agreement before theproject starts and that will
help us not only to stay onbudget but also to stay on time,
because when those delays docome up they create a waste of
time Because then the client hasto make a decision if they want
to spend the extra money or not.
Waste of time because thenthere's the client has to make a
decision if they want to spendextra money or not.
We have to then receive themoney, then go get whatever
material and schedule schedulemore onto the project.
So it's just a lot easier oneverybody if we do it right from

(03:31):
the beginning and then that wayclients always know where they
stand.
I build in buffers, contingencyplanning, whether that be for
weather, for delays, formaterial issues.
You know we plan ahead so thedisruptions don't derail the job
, and part of that is also beingcreative and offering solutions

(03:51):
, understanding that I'm thefiduciary.
I am the expert, not the client.
So when something does happenand cause a delay, it's my
responsibility to find a wayaround that, not the client's.
And we finish strong.
Our reputation is built ondelivering as promised and
that's how we earn referrals.
You know, anyone can start aproject, but we can finish them

(04:16):
on time and on budget, andthat's what matters.

Speaker 2 (04:20):
Most definitely on time and on budget, and that's
what matters Most definitely.
And so, jeff, please explain toour listeners here why it's so
critical to have detailedestimates rather than ballpark
numbers.

Speaker 3 (04:33):
Well detailed estimates.
They assist, like I said again,not on staying, not just in
staying on budget, but also instaying on time.
Proper communication, makingsure everyone's on the same page
.
It gives a sense of securityfor the client.
The client knows what they'regetting before they get it.

(04:55):
They're not walking into asituation where they walk into
their bathroom and there's adecision that's been made that
they didn't make.
You know whether that goes allthe way down to the color of the
grout that's between the tile,the tone of the LED lighting
that we're updating it.
Is it still the old warm yellowor the new cool?

(05:16):
Is it 3000 or 5000 on thebrightness?
You know, is it the perfectcountertop that they picked out
or is it just similar?
Is the bathroom vanity?
Does it have the exact numberof drawers and doors in the
exact right place where theywanted them?
Is the?
Have we moved the shower headto the exact position they

(05:36):
wanted?
Maybe the husband's 6'4", andso we need to have the shower
head even higher than normal?
So all of these things, theselittle details, I address up
front, so that way there'snothing later on, even after the
project's finished.
Oh, I wish we would have doneit this way.
I wish we would have done itthat way.
That falls back to meunderstanding that I'm the

(05:59):
expert and, in addition to that,taking into account the
perspective of the client andwhat their objectives are,
because everybody's objectivesaren't the same, and if I take
the time to understand what myclient's objectives are, it
makes it a lot easier to bringtheir vision to life.

Speaker 2 (06:19):
So, jeff, going back to that pre-construction phase,
is that where you would go oversome of this information in what
they're really seeking to havereconstructed and their vision
of how they want it to look?

Speaker 3 (06:37):
Absolutely, and I believe at that point of the
phase, there's no such thing ascommunicating too much.
I ask for my clients to provideinspirational photos.
I will sit down and help themthrough the design phase, help
them to make sure that thedesigns that they have picked go
together.
Most clients actually aren'tthat comfortable with picking

(07:01):
their own designs, and I'm not atypical general contractor.
I'm not just going to tellpeople okay, pick out your tile,
pick out your paint, pick outall the hardware, and then I'll
just put it in.
I help the clients with thedesign.
If they're coming to me andthey're showing me something
that I feel is not going to lookgood together, I will give them

(07:22):
that information.
Ultimately, the decision is forthem to make, but I will help
them by using my expertise tomake the best decision for them
and for their objectives.
And that's all done ahead oftime For me personally, I do
more work myself before theproject starts than I do after

(07:43):
the project starts.
After the project starts, allI'm doing is managing that
budget and managing that timeand making sure that my crew is
understanding the vision of theclient and following that scope
of work that they've beenprovided with.
So most of my work is done aheadof time to make sure that the
process runs smoothly.

(08:03):
And it's just the old saying ofbuilding a strong foundation.
You know, making all of thedesign decisions, making all of
the budget decisions, all ofthose decisions are part of the
foundation, and we don't start aproject until we know how long
it's going to take either.
Because here's the thing if aproject's going to take four

(08:24):
weeks, honestly a client wouldrather us wait a couple of weeks
to start than to start theproject and then be delayed by
two weeks while we're in themiddle of the project.
Now, the end result on eitherof those situations is a
project's done in six weeks,right, but the client would

(08:47):
rather be disturbed for ashorter amount of time as
possible.
So they would rather wait untilall of their decisions are made
or all of the materials areordered, so that that way their
house is disturbed as leastamount of time as possible, and
we understand that.

Speaker 2 (09:02):
Wow.
Well, thank you so much forstopping in today, Jeff, and
sharing those helpful insightswith our listeners.
Have a fantastic and blessedrest of your day, and we'll
catch you on the next episode.

Speaker 3 (09:13):
Thank you, sophia, I appreciate you.

Speaker 1 (09:19):
That's a wrap for this episode of remodel
contracting podcast.
Ready to kick that 90s kitchento the curb?
For a free in-home consultation, call 469-831-5620 or visit
remodelcontractingnet.
Expect more, because your homedeserves better and honestly, so

(09:40):
do you.