Why we wrote this
Most construction projects that go badly did not go badly because someone was dishonest. They went badly because the owner and the builder had different pictures in their heads, and nobody wrote anything down until it was too late to fix cheaply.
We are the people who build here. We see the same handful of problems over and over, and nearly all of them are decided before the first shovel goes in the ground. This guide is not a sales pitch and it is not legal advice. It is what we would tell a friend who was about to spend serious money on their home or cottage.
The five ways projects fail
Priced before it was designed
Three builders price a sketch and get three numbers for three different buildings.
The budget had no room in it
Without a 10–20% contingency, every surprise becomes a crisis.
Changes were made verbally
Twenty unwritten "while you're in there" requests become a $40,000 gap.
Money got ahead of work
Early deposits and draws leave the owner with no leverage.
Nobody checked the boring things
Zoning, septic, insurance and legal status are each a phone call that can save tens of thousands.
What's inside
Your first five phone calls
- 1. Municipal building department — permit requirements and process
- 2. Municipal planning/zoning — setbacks, coverage, non-conforming status
- 3. Septic approval authority — capacity of your system, or a new permit
- 4. Your insurance broker — coverage during construction
- 5. A qualified designer — turn what you want into something that can be priced and built
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This guide is general information. It is not legal, financial, insurance, or professional advice. Requirements differ between townships and change over time; always confirm with your local authority.