The demand for multi-family housing such as apartment buildings, condominiums, and townhomes has been growing. And it doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.
Around 43.9 million residences, or 31.4% of housing in the United States, are multifamily, according to a 2019 survey by the American Housing Survey and the U.S. Census Bureau.
To keep up with demand, the U.S. will need 4.6 million more new apartments by 2030, according to a study by Hoyt Advisory Services and commissioned by the National Multifamily Housing Council and National Apartment Association.
Having a place to live is a basic human need — one that general contractors help meet all the time by overseeing the construction of these residences. But before construction begins, there are steps you need to take to prepare for your next multi-family building project.
SET A SCHEDULE
With such a large-scale project, multiple tasks will be worked on at once. When telling the team or firm you’re working with delivery dates, be realistic.
To set a practical schedule, start by looking at and learning from the past. Review your notes from past multi-family building projects you’ve worked on to see what slowed down progress or what was useful in keeping the project on track. Then, consider weather conditions, resources you have, reliability of contractors, and find out how long it will take to get any high-demand building materials.
On average, after getting proper authorization, it takes just more than 17 months to complete the construction of a multi-family building project. Of course, this is just an average — your resources, local regulations, and weather conditions can change your timeline.
FIGURE OUT AN ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEM
For such a large-scale project, you need to be able to keep track of your subcontractors, timeline, and budget — how will you do it?
There are many organizational tools available, including classic planners and binders. Take the time to do your research and find out the best system for you before things get hectic. This will make it much easier to keep all parties up to date on the project’s progression, keep track of your progress, and keep daily to-do lists.
HIRE SUBCONTRACTORS AND TRADE CONTRACTORS
With all the moving parts involved in a multi-family building project, you’ll need multiple subcontractors and trade contractors. Make sure you know who will install the drywall, place the carpet, paint the walls, and work on electrical wiring.
Consider the subcontractors who you’ve worked with in the past who proved themselves to be reliable and capable. Review their past work and make sure they’re aware of the scope of the project and the timeline.
REVIEW SAFETY GUIDELINES
As you would for any building project, make sure your contractors are aware of and constantly following safety protocols.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides guidelines for everything from hand and power tools to working in confined spaces to the use of concrete and masonry products on a job site. Be sure to document any injuries or illnesses that occur.
MAKE SURE YOU’RE IN COMPLIANCE
Review permitting and zoning documents with stakeholders and make sure there are regularly scheduled inspections. If any issues happen down the line, you’ll be able to prove you did your due diligence.
PURCHASE SUPPLIES
If you’re preparing for a multi-family building project, we have what you need to get the job done right at Miller’s Building Supply. We’ll even deliver your lumber, drywall, and roofing materials to your job site!
When you purchase our quality products and experience our great customer service, you’ll see why so many builders and remodelers come to Miller’s.
Check out our products online or visit us at 1819 E. Monroe St. in Goshen.