Renovation Mistakes Costly When Made During Construction

The most expensive renovation mistakes often occur once construction has already started, rather than during the initial planning stages. Homeowners eager to begin updating their properties may overlook the substantial financial, temporal, and emotional costs associated with making changes mid-project. Dylan Gould, AIA director of design at Cargo Workshop in New York City, emphasizes that altering plans while they are still in the drawing phase is far simpler and less expensive than modifying a structure that already has framing, wiring, and plumbing in place. He advises that changes are most easily accommodated "while the ink is still wet," meaning before any physical work commences.

When modifications are necessary after construction is underway, they are typically formalized through a "change order." Kiril Ratia, a general contractor and founder of Ratia Construction in Chicago, defines a change order as an amendment to the initial project estimate that accounts for alterations to the original scope of work. These change orders differ significantly from the initial project estimate, which allows for some flexibility in design tweaking and value engineering. However, change orders arise when essential remedies are needed for pre-existing site conditions or due to homeowner-initiated scope changes, leaving less room for negotiation or cost-saving adjustments.

Mid-construction changes invariably lead to significant time delays. Ratia illustrates this point by explaining that if drywall has already been installed and a homeowner requests a plumbing relocation, the cost of the change order could be double the original estimate. This inflated cost is due to the extensive work required, including demolition of existing drywall, potential reframing, reinstallation of plumbing, insulation, and further drywall work and patching. Had the same plumbing change been requested during the initial installation phase, it would have demanded substantially less labor and fewer materials, highlighting the escalating expense of altering plans as the project progresses.

Requests to alter the placement of mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems are particularly costly once construction has advanced. These systems are often integrated early in the building process, and moving them requires dismantling completed work and redoing installations. The complexity and labor involved in such retrofits contribute directly to the higher price of change orders. Therefore, thorough planning and a clear understanding of budget, goals, and priorities before construction begins are crucial for preventing costly mistakes and ensuring a renovation project stays on track and within budget. The initial planning phase offers the most economical window for design adjustments and scope refinements.