P. Albert Construction Owner Phil Albert Reveals the Renovation Mistakes That Can Cost Homeowners the Most
By Will Jones
A major home renovation can completely change how a property looks, functions and feels. But according to Phil Albert, owner of P. Albert Construction, some of the decisions that have the greatest impact on a renovation happen long before demolition begins.
P. Albert Construction specializes in luxury residential renovations, including whole-home, condominium, kitchen and bathroom transformations. Through his experience in residential construction, Albert has seen how insufficient planning, unrealistic budgets, rushed decisions and choosing the wrong contractor can create unnecessary costs and delays.
For homeowners preparing to invest in a major home renovation, avoiding those mistakes starts with understanding what actually goes into a successful project.
Starting Construction Before the Planning Is Finished
One of the biggest renovation mistakes, according to Albert, is beginning construction before enough decisions have been made.
Layouts, cabinetry, appliances, plumbing fixtures, electrical requirements, materials and finishes are interconnected. When homeowners are still making major selections after construction begins, one late decision can affect multiple trades and disrupt the schedule.
“Demolition might be the first thing a homeowner sees happening, but it shouldn’t be the first thing the contractor is figuring out,” Albert says.
Plans, engineering, permits, selections, ordering and scheduling should be addressed as early as possible.
That preparation becomes even more important during condominium renovations. Building and association requirements may dictate construction windows, work hours, elevator usage, deliveries, noise restrictions and other logistics that need to be understood before work begins.