Lange Enterprises Construction Management

Straight Talk

Honesty is always the best policy.

There are some things you should be aware of before you sign on the dotted line for a managed construction project. Please read below to see if Construction Management is right for you.

There is no such thing as a project without challenges.
With literally hundreds of tasks and sub-tasks that make up a project, it is virtually impossible for everything to run perfectly. There will be challenges and demands placed on everyone during planning and construction. The duty of a Construction Manager is to eliminate as many problems as possible from the outset, resolve conflicts when they occur, and keep things running smoothly, on time and in budget. But even the best planned project cannot predict weather patterns, the electrician's health, or earthquakes.

I must limit the number of homes I build.
I run a small company, and to be fair to myself and my clients, I insist on limiting the number of projects I work on simultaneously in order to retain high levels of quality and service to all. Because of my limited availability, it is best to contact me early, as much as 6 to 12 months ahead of time if possible. This will help maximize the planning and preparation phase as well as reserve a slot in my schedule.

If you don't like design and construction or have no time to spend, don't worry.
In today's hectic world, not everyone has the chance to devote time to the construction of a home. That is why if you are a busy professional with little time to spare or little interest in doing so, you should consider using a Construction Manager. Construction Management offers you complete flexibility as to your personal level of involvement in the construction process. Regardless of your participation level you will always be informed and able to monitor progress through 24/7 access to your regularly updated and secure online project files.

Construction Management costs money.
The average fee for a managed project is 10% to 15% of the total cost of the budget. This fee will however, pay for itself and return you an additional 10% to 20% savings on your home.

The Construction Manager will not blow the budget. You will.
When confronted with so many choices for materials and finishes, it may be a challenge to stay on track and on budget. Consider countertops for example. They start at $10 per linear foot and go all the way up to several hundred dollars per foot. The difference in a budget can be staggering. And this is just one example. The same applies to cabinetry, lighting, plumbing fixtures, flooring, and even paint. Be aware that the Construction Manager's duty is to protect your budget and make you aware of what you should spend. If you really want granite countertops but budgeted for tile, you will have to cut your budget elsewhere, or add money to the pot.

Turnkey Contractors love to say the word “extra.”
Some people may feel more comfortable with a turnkey contract believing that they will know exactly how much building their new home will cost. Rarely if ever is that the case. Due to vague contract specifications and unexpected or unanticipated changes, a Turnkey Contractor's list of “extras” can grow to significant amounts above and beyond his origional contract price. Lowball bidders often count on that.