How can I minimize the problems associated with a custom home project?
The first step is to understand that all construction problems can be reduced to issues of money or communication. Money. Either your money or the builder’s. Either the builder’s or his subcontractor’s. The $3 tile or the $10 tile. The $10,000 paint job or the $20,000 paint job. Money. If money was not an issue there would be no problems, because you would simply buy your way out of any mistakes, compromises or misunderstandings. Money is an issue regardless of your wealth or budget. If you are dreaming about a $3 million home, you are probably designing a $4 million, over-budget gem. People dream about houses just beyond their means or budgets. If people swapped dreams then at least some people would build within their budget. If you want to control the budget, you have to control your appetite. You have to be disciplined. Set a budget, then set a contingency over that budget and adhere to it. Budgets usually don’t go over because of one item. They deteriorate incrementally. A $100 ex
