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Budgeting Tips for Your Construction Project

Dotcom Design • Jun 28, 2019
Budgeting for a New Construction Project

You have a construction project in North Liberty, IA coming up and you haven't yet created your budget. This mistake is one that many people make in your situation and is very understandable. For example, you may not understand how to properly budget yet or need help ensuring everything is smooth.

In this scenario, you should follow the simple budgeting tips outlined below. Each of these tips has been designed to provide your building job with the help that you need to ensure that things run smoothly and that you don't run into any complications with your project at any time.

Pay Attention to the Small Things

When making your budget for construction projects, you need to make sure that you pay very close attention to small details. A failure to do so could cost you a lot of money. For example, you may not budget yourself enough nails during your project and run out long before you are done. As a result, you're going to have to send somebody out to go pick up a box of nails for the project.

This might not seem like a big deal – after all, you're still getting the nails. However, the extra time spent getting the nails is a significant one when you break down the costs. For example, you need to send somebody to go pick up the nails – which means they're not working on the project and, instead, wasting their time fighting through traffic to get items that you should have already had on site.

Even worse, the cost of the nails is likely to be higher than you'd get if you purchased them from a wholesale equipment company. So, let's say that it took your drive an hour to pick up the nails and that they cost $5 more than they would have if you would have budgeted the proper amount of nails. When you add the driver's wasted hour – labor of about $25-30 – you have an extra cost of $30-35 .

This might not seem like a significant cost – and in many ways, small mistakes like this are going to happen no matter what the project – but they can start adding up. For example, you may run out of shingles, break a hammer, or run into other complications that require multiple trips to pick up equipment. All that wasted time can add up to hundreds of extra dollars that your project just didn't need to spend.

Analyze Your Needs

After you've taken into account the small items, you need to pull back and look at the bigger picture for your construction project. Each building is going to take different materials and a certain amount of labor to finish. You now need to assess how much you're going to need for your project and to then break it down into the various components to ensure that you have a budget that can handle the needs of every project you take.

For example, you need to take into account all of your construction materials. These include the items you'll need for a job, such as metal, wood, and other types of frame items, various kinds of decorations (including doors and windows), attachment devices like nails and screws, and even all of your tools, such as wrenches, screwdrivers, and more.

All of these items must be budgeted down to the last person on the team to ensure that everybody gets the full array of things that they need for a project. For example, you should have a team where everyone has the same set of screwdrivers, various types of drills, and much more. Everyone should also have equal access to items like saws, nails, screws, bolts, and more to ensure success.

And, perhaps more importantly, you need to take into account the amount of labor that a project is likely to take. For example, building a home will typically take a team of 20 individuals at least a week or two to finish. If the crew works eight hours a day and they each make $30 per hour, you're looking at $4,800 per day in labor costs for a house. As a result, you may want to find a way to decrease your building time and save yourself a little bit of money.

Don't Forget Costs for Mistakes

During just about every construction project, you're going to run into mistakes that complicate your building process. For example, you may cut boards too short for a segment of your wall and need to get them replaced. A specific portion of your budget should exist simply to cover for those mistakes. When budgeting out this amount, you need to be honest about the number of errors that may occur.

Most experts agree that about 10-15 percent of the average budget should go to error replacement. So if you have a budget of $50,000 for a home, at least $5,000 to $7,500 should be budgeted to fixing mistakes. This amount may seem like a rather high level for some homeowners. Thankfully, you can also budget in building insurance to make sure that you don't have to pay excess money to fix mistakes made by a contractor.

This insurance option is a wise choice if you have a lengthy building project that will take a long time to finish. For example, a large chain of hotels may be a large enough project for building insurance. This policy option goes into effect when the project begins and will protect you if your construction expert makes a building or design mistake and has to pay extra to fix it to ensure your project goes smoothly.

Typically, this type of policy will cost no more than a few hundred dollars or more per project and can save you thousands. Understand, though, that the policy will only cover a certain portion of the repair costs. Talk to your provider to figure out how your policy works to ensure that you don't end up having to pay money to fix repairs and errors anyway.

Get Help Today

As you can see, budgeting for a building project doesn't have to be a major hassle if you know what you are doing. The steps discussed in this article should make your budget more comfortable to handle and will likely improve your cost by decreasing labor and material costs.

However, if you still need help with these budgeting tips, you should contact a professional to get the assistance that you require. Our construction experts in North Liberty, IAcan examine your bottom line and will work hard to ensure that you don't spend too much on your project.


By Dotcom Design 13 Jan, 2021
You may be on the fence about working with house builders in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, Iowa, believing that it may be simpler just to buy a home that already exists and adapt it to your needs. Unfortunately, you are mistaken in that belief – building a home is a great way to craft a dream house that suits your needs as a person and makes you happy as an individual. Let's take a look at a few reasons why working with these professionals is such a wise choice for homeowners like you. Builders Save You Money Though you may think that house builders would ultimately cost you more money than it would to simply buy a traditional home, there are many reasons why they can save you money. Just a few of these unexpected money-saving benefits include: Cheaper Materials – Note that when we say "cheap," we don't mean "low quality." Instead, builders can access high-quality materials at discount prices and save you cash by creating a home using these materials instead of building a house yourself. Personalized Look – Though we'll discuss this point in more depth in a later section, we want to point out that building your dream home is a safer and easier way to find it than trying to upgrade a home that already exists and make it suitable for your living situation. Longer Lifespan – When you buy a home that already exists, you are also investing in the flaws of its structure that may shorten how long it lasts. As a result, building a home will save you money by creating a house that is stronger and more capable of long-term strength and stability. Upgrades You Want – Producing a dream home requires you to understand precisely what you want and to have builders update its structure in ways that make sense for you. If you have these upgrades available from the start, you won't have to worry about the quality of your home at all. These benefits all make house builders a great investment if you're trying to save money on your building process. However, there are other benefits that you need to consider before you choose one of these builders. We'll compile most of these advantages into one section and break them down, as we did the list above, to make it easier for you to build a home that suits your specific needs. Other Benefits to Consider Utilizing house builders for your house design and construction project saves you a lot of money, it is true, but that's not all of the benefits that this choice provides. By working with these professionals, you give yourself the unique opportunity to build a home that you want without a lot of compromises. And you can achieve this goal and the benefits below only when you work with professionals of the highest quality: Streamlined Design – Rather than relying on somebody to handle all of the design and building elements separately, you can use a builder to design your home using your concepts. They can then build it and create an easy-to-pay package for you that considers various elements of your finances and provides you with the best chance of keeping your home attractive and safe. Easier Living Environment – Rather than trying to find a home and a neighborhood that meets your needs, you can buy a vacant lot or destroy an existing home in a community that you want to live in and then build your dream home there. This step is a good one because it allows you the personalization that you want and deserve for your home and lets you live where you want. As you can see, the benefits of using house builders are such that you shouldn't ignore them for your needs. By crafting the house of your dream with these professionals, you give yourself the best chance of satisfaction in this process. Even better, you create a more relaxing environment that meets your needs and ensures that you and others are happy with your house's overall look and style. Don't Neglect Our Help As you can see, the best house builders in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, Iowa, provide a staggering array of benefits that make them more than worth your time and money. Even if you end up spending a little more time waiting for your home to get built, this investment is one that you'll never regret. So please don't hesitate to contact us today at Coohey Construction to learn more. Our professionals will sit down with you and discuss your home construction projects and make sure they meet your needs.
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An outdoor bar and grill area is just what you need to take outdoor enjoyment and entertainment to the next level. Here are eight ideas to keep in mind as you start planning and designing your new entertainment space. Create the Ultimate Cooking Station To create the perfect outdoor bar and grill area, you will need the ultimate cooking station. You might want to install your own outdoor kitchen complete with all the right amenities including a built-in grill, side burners, sink, counterspace, storage and access doors, a mini fridge, and a pull-out trash can. According to Keystone Custom Decks , it’s key to have a carefully placed cooking space that’s close to the door, house and seating area to make cooking as convenient as possible. That way, when you are needing to run back inside for cooking utensils or ingredients, you won’t have to trip over half your yard to do so—all the while your burger patties start burning. Having a quality cooking station will make your outdoor cooking and grilling days a breeze! Add a Bar Station According to The BBQ Guys , a great addition to an outdoor kitchen is a bar station. That way, you can have your dream outdoor grill and bar area—perfect for entertainment or a few romantic, late-night drinks under the stars. Depending on the feel you are looking for, you may opt for a DIY mini bar or a luxurious, built-in backyard bar. There are plenty of different styles to choose from when it comes to adding a bar station. If you want a relaxed, fun ‘tiki’ bar, consider adding a gabled roof with the potential to be modified into a genuine ‘tiki’ thatch roof. If you are going for a little less elaborate or a classier look, the next best thing is to install a minimalist L-shaped or U-shaped mini bar. There are portable options as well if you choose not to have a bar built into your outdoor kitchen. Include an Entertainment Center Want to spice up your outdoor entertainment abilities? Then add an entertainment center! This is truly a backyard essential. While there are portable options at many local furniture stores, you may want to get your entertainment center custom built. That way, the materials will be more ground and durable and the style will work perfectly with the rest of the patio. Furnish your entertainment center with an outdoor-rated TV. According to AudioVideo Innovations, not all TVs that you might put indoors are great for being outdoors because of things like brightness. You’ll also probably want cabinet enclosures, and a quality surround-sound system. Finish it off with some comfy seating. Only then will you be ready for that outdoor movie night or big sports game. Decorate with Vintage Decorations Every outdoor bar and grill needs personality. What better way to add personality than some unique vintage décor? Impress your neighbors with a flower display using an old-fashioned ladder. Add some character with antique lanterns or refurbished milk pails. Throw in some vintage prints or add a pop of color by putting some hydrangeas in a retired wheelbarrow. To add a more masculine touch to the grill area, showcase some old finds such as old-fashioned beer glasses or vintage wood shaft golf clubs. Seating Arrangements Before choosing the right seating arrangements for your outdoor bar and grill area, ask yourself what you want the goal or purpose of the area to be. Depending on how you plan to use your outdoor entertainment center and kitchen, you will want different seating arrangements. For example, if you want to use the space for getting together with your buddies to watch a sporting event, you may want a swivel chair and ample couch space for a large group of people. Are you a person who likes to sit outside and read or drink tea while you watch the sun rising? If this is the case, a couple of cozy armchairs will suit your needs better. If you’re a person who likes to invite the whole neighborhood over for a party, you’ll need different things to suit your needs. If you’re a person who likes to entertain outdoors a lot, you might want to make sure you have lots of different seating arrangement options for people. Consider different options such as couches, lawn chairs, and bar stools. Roof or No? While planning your dream outdoor bar and grill, you may be wondering whether you should add in a roof or not. While they tend to be pricey to install, adding a roof over your entertainment space may be a good investment to your backyard. Especially if you live in a hot and sunny area, roofs provide ample shade and keep you and your guests cool all summer long. If you live in an area that frequently receives precipitation or extreme weather, a roof will be key to protecting your outdoor furniture. Lighting Lighting is one of those things that can take your backyard from drab to fab at the flick of a switch. If you entertain outdoors a lot, think about how you want your guests to perceive your backyard. According to Shades of Light , outdoor lighting is one of the first things guests will notice when they visit your home, so you’ll want to make a good first impression. There are many ways to utilize lighting in a bar and grill area. Get crafty and string some lights across your area’s beams or nearby trees. Add some tiki torches if you want a more playful option. Highlight your landscape or best outdoor features with flood lights or spotlights. Good lighting will ensure that you can take the party from inside to outside with ease. Nothing is more disappointing than having a greater outdoor space to entertain without enough light to actually enjoy it once the sun sets. Fireplace Another great addition to your bar and grill that you should definitely consider is a fireplace. Custom create your own outdoor fireplace with either stone, concrete, or brick. For a less pricy option, get a portable outdoor fireplace or chiminea. If you want something a bit more rustic or better for s’mores, build your own raised, brick fire pit into your entertainment space. Just make sure to always burn things responsibly, as any fire pit or fireplace can pose a hazard if caution isn’t taken seriously. Building and decorating your dream outdoor bar and grill area can be an exciting adventure. There are so many different amenities and accessories you can include to make your entertainment space one of a kind. However, before you start planning out your outdoor space, make sure you prioritize the outdoor elements that align closest with how you and your family plan to use this space. If you’re ready to build the outdoor kitchen of your dreams, contact us for a quote today!
By Jennifer Wade 04 May, 2020
Today’s society is growing more and more conscious about its environmental impact. We have seen the effects that litter and deforestation is having on the planet. The construction industry has historically been a major culprit in the destruction of nature as it has built and created concrete jungles. However, in today's society, construction companies are making major strides forward in promoting environmental sustainability.
By Dotcom Design 24 Apr, 2020
When building a home, you want to work with the very best home builders. Those will be the ones that have lots of experience and follow safety regulations. No one is going to admit to you that they disregard safety, so you’ll need to keep an eye out. The following are key indicators that your builders are working safely.
By Dotcom Design 12 Mar, 2020
Building a home that truly stands out among the many models on the market can be a tough task for many to handle without help from experts. Thankfully, the best custom home builder in Iowa City, Iowa can help you out here. These experts have years of experience and can provide the kind of quality that your home deserves. Thankfully, we at Coohey Construction can provide you with the attention to detail and professionalism that you need to make your home as gorgeous as possible. Expertise and Skill A custom home builder is specially trained to be the most high-quality and professional builder possible. Many have to take specialized courses that teach them how to build custom houses. Often, they have specialized designers on staff who can take your ideas and make them a reality. That level of expertise is something that you just can't get with other types of home builders on the market. This claim isn't to knock those builders who make pre-fab homes. They serve a very important purpose on the market and are skilled at making homes that follow a very specific mold. That ability isn't one that should be knocked or put down. However, you are more interested in a home that is unique and which truly stands out from others. In this situation, custom home designs are better for you. That said, builders who specialize in custom homes are, undoubtedly, more skilled at producing memorable designs that you will never forget. They bring a type of professionalism to each job that you can't get from other experts. As a result, they are an excellent choice if you want to make sure that your home stands out and is as strongly built as possible for your living needs. A Unique Home Experience When you buy a pre-fab home, you cut out a lot of different costs and expenses. First of all, you eliminate the need for designing, which can be quite costly in some cases. However, this design process is one that many people crave because they don't want to live in a home that looks like everybody else. Or they just want amenities that they can't get from other types of houses in the area. Thankfully, builders who craft custom homes can provide you with benefits in this area. Do you want a home with secret rooms underneath of the stairs or a hot tub in the master bedroom? You can easily get that when you work with a high-quality builder. Or are you interested in crafting a beautiful outdoor environment that is gorgeous and hard to top? Then talk to these professionals to create a home that meets your needs at a price that you can more easily afford compared to other options on the market. The possibilities are potentially limitless, depending on what you are willing to spend on a home. That's what make a custom home builder such a great choice. They will do whatever you want and try to save you money in any way possible. In this way, you can get the high-quality house that you need at a price that you can afford and create a memorable place that your kids and family will remember for years. Closer Design Relationship Like any homeowner, you have a pretty good idea of what you want from a house. And why shouldn't you? After all, you're paying to build the home and you deserve exactly what you want. However, you may have a hard time getting into the design process if your builder is not open to your input. Unfortunately, this means that you could end up paying for a building that doesn't feel like home. Thankfully, a custom home builder can give you the voice that others deny. These experts are trained to take your considerations into mind and will actively ask you for permission before taking any steps. Not that pre-fab builders will do things that you don't want, of course, but you'll have a much closer design relationship with these individuals than you will with any other type of builder on the market. Of course, these builders won't do things that are impossible or which would put you and your family in danger. They understand that you want a house that is safe, strong, and able to withstand a pretty broad array of problems. As a result, you'll usually find that they will correct any mistakes that you may have made in your design choices. This step is hugely beneficial for you and helps avoid errors. Care and Dedication The interesting thing about custom home designs is that they require, by their nature, more dedication and careful attention to detail than other types. You simply can't build a home of either type without working with a professional who fully understands the unique benefits that these homes provide. As a result, these experts usually focus on crafting a home that you will never forget and which meets your needs. For example, a custom home builder brings a level of attention to details that you can't get from pre-fab home builders. That isn't to say that these builders aren't very professional and skilled in their job – they are experts at what they do and in the homes that they build. However, the very nature of pre-fab homes make them much harder to detail. You get what you see when you buy these homes in a way that may be appealing to some but also limiting. Thankfully, custom homes avoid this problem by crafting a detailed home that is exactly what you want rather than what you settle for in a pre-fab house. As a result, custom home construction experts typically have a higher level of care and dedication than those who build pre-fab homes. They care more about making the home truly unique and engaging and work hard to ensure that it meets the needs of their customers as much as possible. We Can Help You As you can see, a high-quality custom home builder in Iowa City, Iowa is a great investment that is more than worth the money. The kind of professionalism and craft that they bring to your home is second to none. So if you are interested in this type of custom home, please don't hesitate to contact us at Coohey Construction. We are skilled at providing our many customers with the kind of high-quality home that they want and deserve. Reach out to us now to learn as much as you can about our services.
By Dotcom Design 11 Jan, 2020
Trying to sell a home is often a challenge because you'll have to make it stand out without being too obvious while also ensuring that you don't spend too much cash at the same time. Thankfully, the best custom home builder in Coralville, Iowa , can help out here. By seeking out professional help, you can make your house stand out, make more money when you sell it, and walk away able to buy more property. This process makes the extra cost of a custom home more than worth it for your needs. Create a Unique Style The best thing about custom homes is that they create different styles than prefabricated homes. For example, in a neighborhood where every home otherwise looks the same, a custom home stands out and attracts more buyers. That's because they may not be into the house style that is prevalent in the area and may prefer a more unique and engaging look. This factor all depends on the different elements that you add to a home to make it stand out. For example, you could add unique exterior decorations that draw attention to different aspects of your home. These include enhanced lighting elements, improved patio designs, more elegant sidewalk styles, and stronger and more resistant siding options. You should also move indoors and upgrade the style of your home in various ways, such as adding high-quality appliances that stand out from other homes in your area. Doing so will ensure that you get the best home that your money can buy. That said, you want to make sure that your home isn't too wild in its design, or it may be less likely to sell. That's because people often want a simple design on which they can add their own style. If you add too many wild touches, your home may be too quirky for those who are interested in a purchase. That said, you can still create a fun and engaging look with a custom home builder to ensure that your house is attractive to more people. Add Features Other Homes Don't Have Homes with elements that feel unique often sell better because they attract higher-quality buyers. Often, people with less money buy prefabricated homes simply because they have no choice. If you have a little cash and want to attract higher-value buyers, you should seriously consider a custom home. As they cost more to build, they're almost always worth more when you sell. A few of these features were added in the previous section. However, that doesn't mean you can't add even more unique looks. For example, you can integrate old-school design elements that look more attractive and which have a better aesthetic appearance. These include columns on your porch that make your home look nearly Greek or which add an elegance that other homes may not possess. Just as importantly, a good custom home builder can take inspiration from other homes in the area and tweak these designs in unique ways. For example, if a house down the street has a castle-style look to it and you want to emulate it, your builders can tweak the look to make it unique for you. The best approach here is to not only make a home individualistic but capable of easy adjustment by others. Upgrade a Home's Appearance Even if you already own a home or have built one before talking to custom builders, that doesn't mean that you can't use them to enhance your home value. Many of these experts also work on upgrades and renovations to already-existing homes. And they can do a lot to not only make your home stand out on the market but increase its value at the same time as well. For example, you can contact a custom home builder to enhance different exterior and interior elements in your home. These professionals will offer these tweaks at a reasonable price, sometimes even at a discount. That's because they understand that they aren't entirely building a house but merely upgrading one. In this way, your home can stand out more and become a more attractive item. Just as importantly, it will be a more comfortable place to live before you sell the home. People often neglect the importance of being comfortable in a home that they are trying to sell. There's no reason to ignore your own relaxation and comfort during this process. Instead, it would help if you used customized upgrades to make your home feel more relaxing for your needs. Focus on the Market Around You Lastly, a custom builder will help you create a home that appeals to those in your area. This step is more important than you may think because real estate is often all about proximity. Areas have certain values and price limits that are often hard to break out of by building a home. Therefore, you need to stay within these limits to make sure that your house is more likely to sell. Understanding this element is crucial to your success on the home flipping market or if you want your house to sell later on in your life. For example, they will examine the different houses near you, assess their value, and decide on an approach that fits in with that market demand. Remember – if you build a cheap home in an area filled with expensive houses, you're going to struggle to find a buyer. The same is true in the opposite scenario. That element is just one reason why real estate is more complicated than it may seem to be on the surface by many people. As a result, you can get the high price that you deserve for your home, mainly if you focus on the right market. So make sure that you talk to a custom home builder about the different elements that you think will make a house stand out. Remember that you shouldn't add anything that is a bit above what the area may appreciate. And, as always, take the time to assess what different elements would look the best for a specific house and your personal style. Don't Neglect Help As you can see, the best custom home builder Coralville, Iowa has to offer can provide you with many real benefits. They will make your house look more attractive and, in many cases, make it easier to sell. You have to make sure that you follow the proper processes, though, to ensure that you get the best results. So please don't hesitate to contact us at Coohey Construction to learn more. Our experts have years of experience and can give you the high-quality building that you deserve.
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