2. Check the work:

. If you want to be sure that you are getting exactly what you ordered (solid cabinets, instead of particle board with veneer) you have to be there when it is being installed to make sure. Each day check the work on your site by first making sure that everything is straight, square, and sturdy. Take a measuring tape with you to check dimensions, check out corners, make sure doorways are squared at the corners so your door fits. Make sure that the right materials are being used. If you are paying for insulation with a vapor barrier, then make sure that is what is being installed. If you want copper electrical wire, check to make sure it is not aluminum wire being used. There are going to be a lot of areas where one thing can be used over another, so check constantly that what you ordered, and what you wanted is being used. Make sure that the proper designs and approaches are being used. We will cover this more in the next manual, but keep in mind that while you should respect your subs, you want to question their motives when they make decisions about materials or the way things are done. Don't settle for, "this is what you need," answers, ask why. You have to probe to make sure they aren't shortcutting in order to make the approach cheaper or less work for them. Make sure you get the quality of work you expected. If you inspected the subs work before you hired them, and you chose them because the quality was great, that is the sort of quality work you should be getting as well. So, check, check, check, and you won't have to deal with headaches later.

If a sub or supplier knows you are going to be checking thoroughly, there is less of a chance they will try and short cut, or use inferior materials.

3. Give clear directions:

You need to be as clear as possible to avoid mistakes and therefore save money. So, make sure your initial directions are clear, use as many photos, pictures, and drawings as possible, then make sure you are available throughout the day for questions. Have contact info available to the subs, whether that is a cell phone you will answer, or a message service that you check regularly and will get back to them within a few hours.

4. Anticipate needs:

Basically if you are going to need a drill for the work for tomorrow, make sure you have one on site. Make sure the materials you need are there and available. Look ahead and plan according to what you will need the next day, the next week, or even the next month, and make sure you have what is needed on site when it is needed. Also, have a "Plan B."

5. Keep the site clean:

The cleaner the site, the safer the site. It will also make it much easier for your subs to work, which means they will work at a much faster pace. So, make sure your site stays clean. There are things you should do daily, like sweep dirt and sawdust out of and off the structure. Dispose of any packing, scrap materials, etc. And, clean up other trash.

6. Meet inspectors on site:

If you are on site when the inspector comes you can explain any problems, and may get off for that problem if your explanation is suitable. Also, it is easier to resolve a flagged problem if you can talk to the inspector about it right there when he or she sees it. Some problems can be fixed while the inspector is there, which helps you to avoid any delays caused by waiting for the inspector to re-visit the home so it can be reinspected.

7. Receive deliveries:

Be there when materials get dropped off, or at least have a sub or someone there. Make sure the delivery is complete, that the quality is good, that it is dropped at the right location on site, and that you are charged the right price for each item.

8. Pay bills for a discount:

If you check the work regularly, you can pay for it early to get a discount. Depending on the item, you may want to withhold maybe 10% until after inspections or completion of the house, just to ensure that you get your Certificate of Occupancy. Once you have it you can pay the rest.

9. Observe:

Be on site often to observe the work and conduct that is taking place. It is human nature to do a better job if you are being watched, so chances are you will get better quality workmanship if you are there to observe some of the process.

10. Praise and Reward:

Just as it is human nature to do a better job if someone is watching, it is also human nature to better job if you are receiving praise or reward for your work. If you show your team you appreciate them, through praise and rewards (incentives) you will establish a better relationship, and they will naturally want to do a better job for you.