Thursday, April 3, 2008

What I Learned on my Spring Vacation...

I am just trying to decompress from my trip home from Austin, Texas. I was away on Easter break with my three sons and wife. Like most passionate construction professionals, I am always intrigued to see how our building practices in Southeastern Wisconsin compare to other areas of the country.

We were fortunate to stay in a nice development built by a leading national builder. It is about two to three years old in what is known as Texas Hill Country, just on the shores of Lake Travis. The mixed use community consisted of multi-unit condos, cottages, and million dollar estates. Overall, my first impression was positive as we drove through the luxurious complex. It was obvious that the designs were put together by excellent planners and architects. Everything from flow patterns and colors to the natural landscaping all worked together to create a true Texas feel.

The developers obviously had great expectations with planned kayak marinas, a camping area, numerous walking and hiking trails, and other amenities. Most were started, but it appears that as sales slowed, so did the capital expenditures needed to complete these projects. Most will not suffer from neglect, but it brought into question when they will ever get completed per the original lofty plans. I also caught glimpses of this in the construction of the condo type units.

I viewed a number of buildings in various forms of construction. It was not that the structural integrity of the buildings was compromised, but more the fit and finish. For instance, the decks were built of high-end composite decking. However, the floor joists were not level and a hump lifted the deck by 3/8 of an inch or more. This difference was just short of creating a tripping hazard. The pre-manufactured box cabinets in our master bath had poorly done miters which left gaps at the base. The poorly executed caulking left infiltration points for ants and other insects in many areas. So while my breath was taken away by the woodwork, granite, and furnishings, the longer I stayed, the more it felt like something was lacking.

As the current downturn in the housing economy persists, I hope the consumer educates themselves and learns about the difference between just doing the job to the minimum versus really following through on the details. Even with licensed contractor requirements or required inspections, it will still always be the general contractor’s responsibility to insist on perfection.

I truly believe that the contractors with a dedication to building a flawless product will be the ones that endure through the current dip in our economy.

I have heard that many contractors in our area have been choosing to switch subcontractors in an effort to save money. We all know you most always get what you pay for and this has had an effect on the overall quality of the homes being built. In order to build a home that will yield homeowner satisfaction for years to come, contractors cannot compromise quality through the building process. Following these principles will also help to ensure that the value of the homes appreciate over time.