Any home repair or new construction can be both exciting and, at the same time, daunting. While the final product is eagerly awaited, the construction process can feel like an eternity; especially if you do not understand the process. Little by little, the structure will come together before your eyes, all the decisions that were made will take shape and before you know it, you will be using your new space.

If this is your first home construction project, it is always helpful to have an idea of what to anticipate.

1. Excitement – The anticipation is often the hardest part of the process. Construction can last anywhere from 6-8 weeks from start to finish. There will be days with great activity and days without any progress as we work with various sub-contractors to complete your project.
2. Communication – Expect weekly communication with your contractors with project updates. If something comes up, or you have a concern or a question, your contractor should be your first call.
3. Noise – In efforts to maximize their daylight, contractors can arrive at the jobsite early. Power tools are extremely helpful, however, can be loud at times.
4. Visitors – There will be various people on site throughout the process, such as village inspectors, sub-contractors, or deliveries. There may come a point in the construction process when access to the interior of the home is necessary, for instance when the electrician is there. Otherwise, most of the work will be completed outside.
5. Clean-Up – Each phase of construction will produce waste. Site clean-ups should take place throughout the construction process. Keep in mind that the site will get messier before it gets cleaner! Scrap lumber, excess siding, boxes from the light fixtures, nails, etc. will quickly clutter the site. Some villages will require the area to be gated off for safety purposes. The mess will not last long, however it is always encouraged that the area be off limits until the construction crew is finished.
6. Inspections – Building a new structure or remodeling a current one will require permits. It is necessary to investigate all required permits for your municipality prior to beginning the work. Working with a contractor who will handle the legwork of those permits can be very helpful to ensure you are working in accordance with village guidelines.
7. Landscape – While a garage is a large investment, so is your lawn and landscaping. To avoid unnecessary disruption to the property, extra care of the surrounding area around the base of the slab and any trenches due to electrical lines should be taken. It is common for the garage to have a rough graded finish; meaning any dirt relocated for the foundation should be brought back to grade with the completed structure.
8. Warranty – An investment this large should be supported with a warranty. HGB, for example, maintains a 2-year warranty on the garage from the date of substantial completion which is established by the approved municipal final inspection and final payment has been collected. After 2 years any issues with the siding, shingles, etc. will be referred to the manufacturer’s warranty. Separately, all mechanical equipment (such as the overhead door mechanism) associated with the garage is limited to a 1-year warranty. All concrete work is excluded from this warranty. This includes any cracking, spalling, peeling, pitting, or scaling caused by ground settling, the freeze/thaw cycle, the use of salt, etc.
9. Touch-Ups – As the build moves along, you may notice areas that require touching up. Once the project is nearing completion, those areas should be addressed as your punch list is created.
10. Unknowns – Accidents happen, and unknown setbacks are bound to pop up, such as the weather or backordered materials holding up the process. While a smooth construction timeline and installation is always anticipated, it is helpful to be flexible with your contractor.

If you are considering the addition of a new garage and would like a FREE consultation and estimate, contact Heartland Garage Builders at HeartlandGarageBuilders.com or 224-326-2698.