Residential construction managers are used to the build and grumble relationship.
As in, the longer residential construction takes, the more customers grumble. Even the best construction management software can’t prevent the cycle.
And that’s hugely unfortunate. New houses, apartments, and garages made to recognized standards should bring more joy into the lives of building customers, not pain.
Residential construction performance guidelines are drawn up with quality of building methods and deliverables in mind. Residential construction businesses have plenty to gain from adhering to them (and the biggest reason why is a happy, less-grumbly customer!).
There are tons of guides available, but I’ve narrowed them down to just four. No matter where you are, residential construction performance guidelines will serve you well, so read on!
1. The “Big Mac” of Residential Construction Performance Guidelines
Did you know that the McDonald’s’s Big Mac is so widely served all around the world that economists use it as a way of comparing national economies? The Economist came up with the “Big Mac Index” to create a “lighthearted guide to whether currencies are at their “correct” level. It is based on the theory of purchasing-power parity (PPP), the notion that in the long run exchange rates should move towards the rate that would equalise the prices of an identical basket of goods and services (in this case, a burger) in any two countries.”
In other words, the Big Mac index can be used as an international standardization manual for economics.
The book Residential Construction Performance Guidelines” from the National Association Of Home Builders (NAHB) is similar to the “Big Mac” idea, but it’s made just for construction contractors.
The book is not only available in the U.S., but also in countries like India, Japan, and South Africa. Inside the 126 pages of the book, you get “nearly 300 guidelines in 12 major construction categories,” with guidelines specific to remodeling, advice on critical measurements, and a glossary of common terms.
2. A Book Featuring Independent Advice with Photos and Pages Galore
The “Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction: Materials, Finishes, and Details” by Steven Bliss (published by Wiley) takes first prize in the heavyweight book category with its massive index of 320 pages. However, the guide’s weight and volume are not its only standout features.
This book offers over 200 photos and illustrations of residential construction performance details, setting it apart from other text-only guides. The aim is to help builders “create durable, attractive, and affordable custom homes and remodeling projects.” Customers may find it a little chunky, but for architects, designers, builders, and developers, there is a wealth of information.
3. Guidelines Specifically Drawn Up for Your Region
Isn’t it nice when there is a universal resource for builders, like the two books referenced above?
Unfortunately, in the world of building, international standardization codes are far from common. Sometimes, you have to turn to your local state or region for more advice on performance guidelines.
In the U.S., for example, there are specific residential construction guidelines published for Texas and California. Similarly, builders in British Columbia in Canada have the “Residential Construction Performance Guide” from that province. The specificity of the BC guidelines is that they are designed primarily for low-rise, wood-frame homes, which typify residential construction in that region.
4. Coverage for Condominiums as Well as Houses
To make information available for multi-family construction, including high-rise apartment blocks, Tarion offers its “Construction Performance Guidelines: For New Homes and Condominium Common Elements” online. Tarion is a private corporation administering the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act for regulation purposes. In practical terms, its mandate includes licensing new homebuilders, educating buyers about warranty rights, resolving disputes, and upholding high residential building standards. Tarion also offers a comprehensive online guide to individual house building project standards.
Bonus: These Work as Guides for Homeowners
While these books are great for construction contractors looking to meet local standards, homeowners also benefit from residential construction performance guidelines.
When customers understand, from the outset, what they will receive as deliverables in a building project and to what standard, potential disputes down the line can be avoided. It is also a marketing fact (not to be abused!) that when customers know they have immediate access to such information, they are happier to take a builder’s word that their new house or remodeling project will be executed correctly.
The online guides from Tarion, for example, are written with both builders and customers in mind. The guidelines from the NAHB (see above) can be also downloaded directly from the web in a free version, just like the Tarion guides and various region-specific guidelines. So be the first to show your customer how to get this information at no charge and score points for being a caring, customer-aware contractor!
And the Best Out of These Options?
Deciding which is the best guideline resource for your business ultimately comes down to the owner. The free online guides can give you a good introduction to residential construction performance guidelines, but be sure to also check if there are specific guidelines for your own region. If you prefer hardcopy to electronic versions, Steven Bliss’s book or the spiral-bound version of the NAHB guidelines (which you can buy online) may be the answer.
How much attention do your end-customers pay to residential construction performance guidelines? Is there a difference between the start and the end of a project? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.