Talk About a Long Construction Project!

The Cologne Cathedral in Germany is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe. The towers for the church’s two huge spires give the cathedral the largest facade of any church in the world.

The construction of the cathedral began in 1248 – 244 years before Columbus discovered America – and it took 632 years to complete! Interestingly, relatively few people have ever seen the cathedral without scaffolding, because by the time it was complete, repairs were required on what had been constructed.

How Long Will Your Home Remodel Project Take?

One of the questions we hear frequently is, “How long will this take?” It’s a fair enough question, but the answer, of course, will depend on the scope and complexity of your specific remodeling project. That’s something we can work out and discuss before your project begins.

We’ve all heard horror stories about remodeling projects that drag on and on. Sometimes slight delays can happen when unforeseen difficulties pop up or severe weather delays construction or causes materials to be late. There are some things, however, that you can do as a homeowner to ensure that things stay on schedule.

Timely Selection of Finishes: Once you’ve decided on the plan for your remodeling project, make sure that you make your decisions on all of the finishes for the project. For instance, if you’re remodeling your kitchen, make sure you have the cabinets (including the color and the hardware) picked out. The same goes for the material you’re using for your backsplash, fixtures, and for your flooring. It’s key that we have all of the selections made before we start the project to stay on schedule.

Avoiding Unnecessary Changes: Small changes are simply part of the remodeling process. What you want to avoid, however, are changes that have an impact on the completion of your project. “Can you move that wall just 3 inches?” may not seem like a huge request (after all, it’s “just” 3 inches). But if a wall has already been built, what you’re asking for can significantly delay the process. It’s not wrong. It may ultimately be the right decision, but it will affect your schedule and your budget.

Being Available for Consultation: Sometimes we will run into an unforeseen situation that means we can’t proceed as planned. That means that we will have to talk about what needs to change. Being available to us – and being able to make a timely decision can mean we’ll still finish on schedule.

3 Ways to Get the Most Out of St. Patrick’s Day

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. Here are three ways to make the most of your celebration:

1. Wear green and listen to Irish music (singing optional).
2. Go to an Irish pub and drink a green beer.
3. Finish taking down your Christmas decorations!

Mark & Nancy Benson