Settling scope, budget and sequence before the first demolition day

Most construction problems are planning problems that arrived late. ADH Canada Inc. plans projects the way they will actually be built: a written scope, a budget broken into real line items, a sequence that respects lead times and inspections, and a schedule that names who does what and when. Planning is billable time well spent, because changes on paper cost a fraction of changes in framing.

Turning a wish list into a defined scope

A scope document states what is included, what is excluded, and what allowances cover. Allowances matter: if the tile budget is set at a figure per square metre and you choose a slab that costs three times that, everyone should know the consequence at selection time rather than at invoicing. We also identify the unknowns honestly. In an existing building, some conditions cannot be priced until a wall or a slab is opened, and the plan should carry a contingency for that rather than pretending otherwise.

• Written scope of work with inclusions, exclusions and stated allowances
• Budget broken down by trade and stage, with a contingency line
• Critical path schedule showing which tasks block which
• Permit strategy, including whether committee of adjustment relief is needed
• Inspection milestones sequenced so no work gets covered prematurely
• Procurement dates for long lead items set back from their installation dates

Sequence, permits and inspections in the right order

Work has to happen in a fixed order, and the order is not always intuitive. Framing before mechanical rough-in, rough-ins before insulation, insulation and vapour barrier inspected before drywall closes anything. Municipal permit review and inspection bookings take real calendar time in the GTA and belong in the schedule as tasks with durations, not as assumptions. Utility work, hoarding, road occupancy or condominium approvals can each add weeks that need to be accounted for at the beginning.

The plan then becomes the reference point for the whole job. When a change comes up, it gets priced against the plan and its schedule effect is visible, so decisions get made with the trade-offs in front of you.

Request a quote or contact us to build out a scope and budget for a project you are considering.