Construction cost overruns

Keep in mind that your construction budget can only be as accurate as your building plans are complete. The more details not spelled out in your blueprints, the more room there will be for problems along the way. The lack of specifics and detail in free and bargain-priced plans can make them a costly liability in the end, so keep this in mind when selecting a plan. BGS plans, which started out as classroom tool, contain extensive details not included in other blueprints. Some of our clients, with no previous construction experience, have made the choice to build their garage or barn themselves because their BGS plan was complete enough to guide them successfully through the construction process.
 

Unexpected, costly surprises

There's a learning curve with any construction project. If your plans come from an architect who has drawn them up specifically for you, be aware that the first-time building of any structure is going to hold some surprises. No project comes out perfectly the first time off the drawing board, be it a car, a new gadget or a custom-designed garage or barn.

The most common source of unpleasant surprises, however, is lack of detail in your blueprints. If they're not very specific, there are any number of potential instances where elements will not fit together as they should. Each little problem that comes up is going to mean added time and money: time to figure out a workaround or to make changes (possibly involving building department approval), additional labor time to tear out work already done and re-do it: in short, more overall project time and higher total cost.

Detailed plans are your best defense against surprises. BGS plans have been used, refined and used again and again over many years, so you'll find no unpleasant, costly surprises--a reason many contractors prefer them. With our blueprints you'll be able to see exactly where each element goes--all studs, every post headers, all the roof framing--because it's clearly marked on your blueprints. And if for any reason you do end up with a problem, just give us a call. Our commitment to our plans doesn't end after we receive your payment.
 

     Construction time 
        dragging out

Slowdowns can come from various sources: delay in the arrival of materials, contractor or subcontractor scheduling, and of course unanticipated problems with the build itself. While BGS can't do anything about the labor side of your build, we can help to address two of these problems: materials and problems with the construction. With BGS plans' complete materials list, you're able to go to several sources and ask for a package deal on all the supplies you'll need for your build. Just as you can get a better new car deal by shopping around,
lumber yards will often give you a discount if they know it will get them your business on a large order such as this. And if you purchase all your materials at the start of the build, you'll eliminate the possibility of your contractor and laborers waiting around for materials to arrive once the build is in progress.

The other common source of building slowdowns, unexpected problems in the construction process itself, are virtually eliminated with BGS's detailed blueprints. Over the years, contractors have found that BGS plans provide a trouble-free build requiring less supervision of workers due to the detailed, complete nature of the plans.
 

         Questionable
contractor modifications

Changes cost your contractor time and money; they're frustrating and can throw off his schedule for other projects as well as yours. Beyond this, everyone's heard the stories about the less-than-ethical contractor who insists on the need for changes that seem to do nothing but put more money into the contractor's pocket.  Understandably, a request for a modification can leave you wondering if it's legitimate.

Detailed blueprints can generally eliminate this problem. In most cases, the need for spur-of-the-moment modifications (as opposed to elective modifications, like moving a door or window position, which should be always done by modifying the plans prior to the start of construction), arises from lack of specific detail in your blueprints. Suddenly, for example, you find you need to place an anchor bolt right where a stud sits. With BGS plans, each of these elements is clearly shown (yes, the placement of every stud in your building) on the blueprints you receive, so there's no confusion, no unexpected problems, and no need for modifications. Perhaps best of all, our completeness offers you peace of mind by eliminating excuses for dubious modifications. And your contractor benefits, too, because the build goes smoothly and problems don't crop up unexpectedly.

Browse plans at left