What is the worst treatment you ever got from a contractor?

What were the biggest construction bargains you found, and how did you find them?

by Mark A. Smith

1. You come to the job each day prepared to fire people if needed.

This consists of being clear about what you expect and holding subcontractors accountable for it. You are writing the check, you are in power. You stage your payments so that you can pay for performance to date and release the sub if necessary. You can put your foot down if needed.

2. You are somewhat familiar with construction.

You have interest in the subject of building and some aptitude, and are willing to learn. You talk the talk of the business. This can be learned from building shows on television, from builder magazines to which you can subscribe, from interviewing subs, and from observing building projects, among other places. Even though you may not perform a given trade, you can talk about it knowledgeably.

However, overemphasis on building knowledge can interfere with the exercise of good planning and management, your principal tools.

3. You communicate well.

You make clear your expectations, and make certain they are understood. You can talk to all kinds of people. You can win loyalty and build relationships with the team. You are capable of making endless phone calls to check on things.

4. You pay patient attention to detail.

Winston Churchill, who liked to lay brick on his English country estate and was a competent oil painter, said, "Genius is the capacity for taking infinite pains." The tiny details done right add up to a distinctly superior house. The O-B must be prepared to take the time to see that things are done right.

5. You have job flexibility.

Either you or your spouse need to spend four hours a day or more on-site during construction. Many construction lenders interview their applicants about the circumstances of their employment to ensure this flexibility.

6. You have determination and problem solving ability.

You don't lie down at the appearance of the first knotty problem. There are several every week during construction. You will stick with them until they are solved.

7. You are financially motivated.

Parkinson's Law is that work expands to fill the time allotted to it. A corollary is that a construction budget expands to the borrowing limit of the owner. If your limit is low, you will be more ingenious in finding ways to meet it.

8. You are organized.

If not in general, at least for this project, you are organized to a fault. You will tend to the agreements, paperwork, schedule and budget tirelessly.

9. You are a good shopper.

You can tell differences in quality, can find bargains, and won't overspend on anything.

10. You are a good student.

You watch well and learn quickly. You can get answers to your questions.