Use a Jobsite Checklist

Congratulations! You’ve won the job and your client has signed on the dotted line. You’ve finalized the plan, ordered the materials, gotten your subcontractors together, and scheduled the first day of construction. It seems as if everything’s ready to go. But it never hurts to double-check. After all, having your ducks in a row before you set foot on the jobsite can mean the difference between an easy first day and a frustrating one. Preparation can also save you valuable time and money. “Warding off mistakes can save you thousands upon thousands of dollars,” says Joseph Zavagnin, general manager of Tuscany Homes, LLC. Here are a few final jobsite considerations to check off your list before Day One arrives.

Display the necessary paperwork
Because all building and remodeling projects require permits, you’ll need to obtain the necessary ones—and post them. “That way, you won’t get surprised by a county commissioner telling you to stop what you’re doing,” says Zavagnin.

Submit your plans
If you’re building in a subdivision, chances are, you’ll need to submit a copy of your plans to their architectural review committee. “Most subdivisions require a letter with house plans as well as a drawing of the particular lot you own, where you intend to put the house, and, if the lot is wooded, how many trees you plan to take down,” says Zavagnin.

Have supplies ready
Your pickup truck is great for transporting materials. But it may not hold everything you need. To avoid multiple trips, fill a larger vehicle with as many necessities as it will hold. “We have a parcel delivery van on the job that holds a vacuum cleaner, tarps, materials, and supplies,” says Jim Norman, owner of Norman Construction.

Prep your excavator
The person responsible for digging the foundation has to know where to start. “Locate the actual boundaries of the building with stakes,” says Zavagnin. “And whether you’re building with a basement or slab, you’ll still have to know how high the slab is with regard to the surrounding dirt, or how much of the foundation you want above and below the ground.”

Plan for erosion and drainage
As you excavate, you’ll want to make sure dirt, silt, or soil can be contained on your client’s property instead of running off into the neighbors’ yards. To prevent this from occurring, Zavagnin suggests having a silt sample taken and putting an erosion plan into place. He also advocates an airtight plan for controlling excess water. “You don’t want your structure to be located on the lot in such a manner that water gets trapped. Take special care to insure a good drainage pattern so your client has a safe, dry house,” he says.

Review the scope of work
Both the crew and homeowner should have a copy of the written description of the job to be done, as well as the proposed start and finish dates and any other pertinent information. “Chances are, you’ve gone over this already, but you’ll want to review it with the client again, just to bring them up to speed,” says Norman.

Locate underground utilities
Make sure your local utility protection company has done this in advance, advises Zavagnin. “Otherwise, if you drill and hit a utility line, you could be liable for repairs,” he says. Utility companies usually require 42 to 72 hours to complete the location process.

Discuss on-the-job etiquette with employees and clients
“Our crew will typically stay on site for lunch. That way, there’s less hassle with who’s watching the home when the homeowner isn’t there,” says Norman. If your crew plans to stay all day, make sure you’ve discussed proper smoking, eating and bathroom break areas with the homeowner and your employees. It’s also a good idea to provide buckets for cigarette butts and trash receptacles to maintain cleanliness and curb clutter. On the other hand, if your crew plans to take breaks or leave the site, make sure they know how many hours they must devote to work each day in order to stay on schedule.

Obtain liability insurance
Proper insurance is a must for any business. And it can save you from financial disaster. “See that sub-contractors, including the excavator, are insured well. Prepare written agreements with anyone coming on to your property to do work for you,” advises Zavagnin. “Determine who’s responsible for their own safety and put it in writing.”