What comes to mind when you think of a construction project?
For many owners, the thought of building a new senior living community or renovating their current space can feel overwhelming. Having a better understanding about what life will be like during construction, however, can help turn that worry into excitement for your new project.
Here are a few key things that you can expect:
- Daily communication with construction team.
Contractors not only focus on overseeing construction materials, equipment and labor; they also act as a day-to-day liaison for owners. With senior living projects, construction teams will meet with owners often to share updates, discuss upcoming work and answer questions. Being transparent about construction tasks not only with owners, but also with the staff and residents, helps alleviate any concerns about disruptions to daily operations or resident and staff safety.
- Ongoing preparation and planning.
Although you will meticulously review the design before any construction work begins, the planning doesn’t end there. Throughout the construction process, you’ll continue to look over every detail, from outlet placement and wheelchair accessibility to furniture, fixtures, equipment and more. Your construction team also will work with you to develop emergency plans for any unknowns that may arise, such as unmarked underground utilities or rescheduling inspections required to continue work. This additional preparation and planning will ensure that your space is built to meet your needs and also is delivered on schedule and within budget.
- A focus on job site cleanliness and staging
It’s critical to share your expectations for job site cleanliness and equipment staging with the construction team. Contractors and subcontractors understand that keeping the construction site clean and organized at all times helps ensure the safety of the entire project team, your staff and your residents.
With renovations or phased occupancy projects, construction teams may take additional steps to maintain an organized site and keep construction work and equipment visually separate from your operations, to minimize disruptions. Before the project is completed and turned over to you, the construction team will complete a final round of cleaning to ensure the space passes the “white-glove test.”
Although the thought of a construction project may seem overwhelming to you, having a more thorough understanding of the process will better prepare you for what is to come. Remember, your construction team is there to help alleviate stress about the project while delivering a community that your residents can call home.
