Building a new home, or renovating an existing structure is a major undertaking that requires careful planning. You have to be prepared to put your all into it if you want the end result to be as planned, anything less can easily lead to disappointment.

Of course, the first thing that springs to mind is money. Just how much is this whole thing going to cost me? Contractor management software can help you and your contractor take a lot of the guesswork out of the equation and get you a highly accurate quote that will please everyone.

Here are some more things you can do to ensure the whole project is a success:

Your Dream – Sit down with your partner and have an in-depth discussion about exactly what you both want to have happen. Make drawings, diagrams, and take notes to help you formulate a basic map of your expectations. If you can picture it, then it can be done.

Research – You had best do your homework before you choose your contractor. Over 240,00 new dwellings commenced construction in Australia last year, so you should not have any problems locating an experienced, dedicated contractor to do your job, but you still need to shop around. Ask family, friends, and business colleagues if they have any good (or bad!) recommendations for area contractors they have hired. Once you have a few names, call them up and arrange for an interview. Remember those notes? Now is the time to show them and get a reaction. If it’s a positive one, that means they see your dream, and even if it’s not it might be because they see flaws that only a pro would notice. This is the time to find out if you are going to mesh. Be sure to ask for references and examples of their work, which it behoves you to call and study closely!

Set A Professional Tone – Here’s a person who is going to be in your home all day every day for an extended length of time. Of course, we Australians are friendly folk, but in this case, it’s best to keep some distance between you and your contractor, about arm’s length. It’s essential to be polite, and friendly enough, but buddy-buddy is never a good idea, staying professional maintains a space from which you can speak up and push back if the work isn’t measuring up to your expectations.

Observe the Job Site Like A Hawk – It’s sadly true that when the cats are away the mice tend to play, and even the best pros can be found guilty of this. Stay on-site as much as possible so you can see any potential problems, and put a stop to them before they go any further. It’s also important to stay in communication with your contractor in order to receive regular progress reports to keep you abreast of what’s happening with the project.