Cost Control Strategies

You’ve already shopped for the best prices. Plus, no one needs to remind you to find a contractor with the lowest bid. But there’s more. You can:

Maximize Savings...

Learn how to apply a complete Cost Control approach so you achieve maximum cost savings on your project. Then:

Apply Strategies...

Understand these easy to grasp, professional Cost Engineering Strategies, developed from years of study and field application of a vast range of Cost Saving methods and techniques. You will:

Control your Contractor...

By applying these systems to your home improvement or remodel project. The results are dramatic. Not only will you chop your hard costs, you stay in control of your life– and your contractor. You can:

Relax...

And celebrate, knowing you will complete your remodel without visiting the divorce courts, or a psychiatrist.

The best part of these strategies is this: without being an expert in construction, you can learn these systems and apply them yourself. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars hiring Consulting Project Analysts– like us.

We have honed these methods and techniques over many years, and packaged them into an easy to read format. By following these simple strategies, you can master the tools you must have to complete a great remodel, on time and on budget. In fact, for less money than you thought possible.

Our books and publications are written for people who plan to have most of their construction completed by contractors. We’ve found the majority of homeowners today have jobs, families and skills in other areas. So our goal is to give you the same strategies, techniques and secrets we use every day.

The heart of using Cost Control strategies is this: When we look at a set of plans for an upcoming project, we make a diagnosis. From years of experience, we evaluate literally hundreds of details and can tell, in advance, how that project will turn out.

People ask us all the time: “If I already have an architect, why do I need any help from you? Surely my architect already knows this stuff?”

We know these will all turn into expensive surprises when left for the contractor to work out by time and material change orders. Having watched many seething homeowners write check after check, we would like to share our expertise so you can avoid those experiences.

In fact, we are amazed that people who plan to spend thousands of dollars in an unfamiliar field balk at spending a few dollars in advance, so they can learn how to take charge of their project before it turns into a nightmare.

We don’t say that to alarm, or to use fear to motivate you. It is a sad fact that we are called in to provide litigation analysis for remodels and new construction projects which have turned into financial disasters.

In most cases we could have prevented the very problems and cost overruns which doomed that project before it began.

As you read through our articles, each will give you a brief overview, a glimpse into the world of Cost Engineering. These are just a few of the methods, techniques and strategies we use year in, year out.

Writing from our experience with these methods, we firmly believe homeowners quickly grasp these strategies and apply them to their own projects.

A recent client of ours shared with us how she found herself with friends discussing remodeling and contractor’s horror stories. She said nothing as one nightmare after another was passed around. Finally they all turned to her. “Haven’t you just finished a large remodel? You’re really quiet. What’s been going on?” She looked around the expectant faces.

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but we haven’t had any problems with our project. We’ve lived in our house from the beginning, but we’ve had a great contractor. Everything has gone along on schedule and on budget. What else can I say?”*

That project increased the value of their home by 10% more than the entire cost of their remodel.

Isn’t that what you want too?  :)

* Actual edited conversation from a client in California.

Copyright © C. S. McMinn 2003