"BUDGET" Numbers

"Cost Plus" ....... anyone ?
Well, you can either price the job .... or.... can work on a cost-plus basis.
Lots of times when you're dealing with "renovations", its a difficult task to arrive at a accurate price for the project. The unforeseen challenges will ...... no doubt , play a part ! The contractor will inevitably incorporate some "cushions" in his/her number to compensate for the unknown.
Without knowing the "exact" location of your mechanical routes, its hard to determine what is lurking behind the drywall, in your walls or beneath your feet. "Guess-timates" play a big part.
O.K., our experience does help, but you are constantly holding your breath hoping the previous
builder "did it right", most times its ....... surprise, surprise !! Can't believe your eyes !
Because we do a lot of "renos", ....... "cost-plus", is a common road to take. BUT, with cost-plus, comes the "evil"....... "BUDGET-NUMBER".
(Don't laugh, because I'm usually right)...... When we first meet a client to discuss a proposed project, I often say ...... " before you mention any of your numbers or your idea of what this job will cost, ..... DOUBLE IT ! " That comment usually garners a laugh.
When our estimate is handed in , we ask the customers to reveal "their" idea of the costs ....... and what do you know, the amount is "about double of what the home-owner thought".
Two of our projects that we completed last week ,............ were over our "budget-numbers",
NOT GOOD !
It is always better to ...... " under-promise and over-deliver". We're lucky to be well known for our integrity and our accounting is very , transparent, we show it , like it is . But, you can't help like feeling, that you let the client down, instead of .... $30,000. ..... its $36,000. ...... you get the idea. Be careful with "budget-numbers", better to start off with a higher number and come in below budget for your renovations .
Aaaaaahhhhh, let the learning, begin.
Later, Chris.

Work hard, Play harder !

Hi, just finished a cruise on the seven seas :)
...... well not all seven, just one really .... and .... it was an ocean.
..... Port Canaveral to Nassau, Bahamas ..... St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands..... then St. Maarten ....... except for lining up for "everything" ..... it was fun ! ( I didn't plan on a cruise until I was at least a "100" :) , ..... but the swine flu put an end to our Mexican vacation, so I had to be creative, quickly. )
I must say , I'm a little concerned with the number of people that were , lets say ...... a little overweight, I think we were lucky that they didn't announce they saw something special on a particular side of the ship , the onslaught of ...... weighty souls would have flipped us over !!
..... don't misunderstand me , there is nothing wrong with enjoying a good meal , but for gods sake ..... take enough for just ONE person and choose something healthy !
With this construction game I'm involved with , I work hard ............ and I make sure to play harder !
Drop us a line when you need me , you know the drill.
take care .......... Chris

Yes, you May ! ..... anytime you're ready !

Already May 7th 2009, ...... we are "still" waiting for the spring to arrive here in the Rockies !
We have a very short season to do a lot of exterior work, the winters are tough on the buildings here, and they do need maintenance. If you need any advice regarding your construction or renovation projects , please don't hesitate to drop us a line .
I'm taking off for a couple of weeks ....... will be back on May 25th.
take care and think safe ........... GOOD BUILDING !! ....................... Chris

Trials n' Tribulations

Well,.... that took some patience, seems Blogger.com has made some changes without letting anyone know. I finally figured it out, and got to my blog page.

Hope the upcoming spring season is motivating you to undertake a new project around the house. Some renovations, or an addition ...... ( We'll be waiting a little longer than most of you, living in the mountains, supposed to receive 15 cm' s of the white stuff tomorrow ! )

If you need any advice regarding your renovations , or help with your design ...... please drop us a line. Glad to help with your construction concerns.
Thanks for visiting " Constructionwithchris " ......... be careful .......... Chris.

Numbers, Numbers, Numbers.

Another day , another dollar ( or two ).
Happy to say the construction projects are continuing in the valley ! The more the "sales" level off for new homes and condos, the more people are renovating. And that's one of the areas that we are very experienced in. Not quite as straight forward but always interesting ...... and challenging !
We have a good mix of drawings on the board, and I'm crunching numbers. Luckily we have done quite a few "trim jobs" and I reflect back on those numbers to speed things up.

The new renovation projects include : .... a hotel lobby and bar in Banff (Alberta), a hotel lobby, ... all new bathrooms in a golf & curling club, and an entire remodel of the interior of a condo in Canmore (Alberta)
..... also working out a price for a large "trim" job.

numbers, numbers, .... numbers, gotta love 'em !

April Fools Day :)

..... Should I or shouldn't I ? hhmmmm.
Renovations can be a stressful ordeal, a lot of pieces to a sometimes confusing puzzle. Decisions have to made , .... many times that alone can drive the clients , mad. Mad at each other, mad at the suppliers, ..... mad at themselves for picking a color that looked great on a stamp-sized sample, only to walk into a room that now ..... looks like the inside of a .....pumpkin ! Aahhhh !
..... should I lighten up the scene , with an April Fools day prank ?
Ahuh,.... ahuh.....ahuh..... I think I will ! :)

Lighten up , pour your spouse a glass of wine , walk through the project and laugh at a few things.
Celebrate the fact that you both had the creative gusto to undertake a renovation, ..... and will still be together after it ! :)

Stop Listening, You Stop Learning !

The latter part of 2008, I seemed to be taken by all the information out there !
I have become a part of the Internet community ...... websites, blog pages, soon to be presenting online videos on a number of Construction related subjects, and on another site called ..... "FEED ME CHEAP AND EASY .COM"
we are making life simpler for our.... "future-shapers" ,.... "students" !!!! making sure they eat properly and have the energy they need to succeed ! I happen to have quite a few friends that are "chefs", and they are going to help me make videos that will help these kids of ours
EAT CHEAP AND EASY !! :)
..... it is mind-boggling, when you realize how many people are .... online, twitting, googling and facebookin' ..........
So much to learn and share. It took me too long to realize .... "I" am an expert, ...... and I am going to share that expertise with anyone who needs help with any DESIGN and CONSTRUCTION related projects. Thanks for visiting CONSTRUCTION WITH CHRIS !!
I'm here to help !
There are some great courses and seminars available that can really motivate you , get out there
....... and remember, ..... YOU STOP LISTENING, .... YOU STOP LEARNING !!
I've been to Calgary for a weekend seminar that changed my outlook on quite a few aspects of life, ..... Palm Springs ..... twice, ..... and Los Angeles on Tuesday .......
..... aaahhhhh I'm turning into a human "sponge" ........ bring it on !
Stay positive ! Talk soon . Chris.