6 Key MMC Mistakes Self Builders Make and How to Avoid Them!!
Building your dream home is an exciting journey, but it can also be daunting if you’re unprepared. Many self-builders make costly mistakes that lead to delays, budget overruns and unnecessary stress.
The speed and methodology of building with Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) offer significant benefits but also come with considerations that differ from traditional construction methods.
Mistake 1: Traditional Builders and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
Problem: Selecting traditional builders for a Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) self build can lead to issues, as they may lack experience with the innovative techniques and systems required for MMC, resulting in delays, increased costs and learning on your dream home!
How to Avoid: Choose a builder or a principle contractor who specialise in MMC and have experience with the specific systems you're using. They’ll be more equipped to handle the unique requirements of MMC, ensuring faster, more efficient construction and higher-quality results.
Mistake 2: Selecting the wrong building system
Problem: Selecting the wrong build method often results from favouring a salesperson’s claims or performance promises over a professional, objective evaluation of the most suitable building method. This approach overlooks the importance of understanding the resources and teams available locally to execute the chosen system effectively.
How to Avoid: To avoid this, seek independent advice from a professional or company with experience delivering various MMC systems on self-build projects. They should have a clear understanding of the available resources, contractors and teams in your area to ensure the chosen method is the best fit for your project’s specific needs.
Mistake 3: Underestimating the time commitment
Problem: Many self-builders underestimate the amount of time required to manage a project on a daily basis, particularly with the fast-paced nature of an MMC build. The need for closer management, precise scheduling, efficient procurement, clear communication and regular quality checks can be overwhelming, even though the project is completed in a shorter time-frame.
How to Avoid: To avoid being overwhelmed, self-builders should consider hiring a project manager with experience in MMC. This professional can handle daily management tasks, including scheduling, procurement, management of the suppliers and trades and quality control, ensuring the project stays on track. Alternatively, work with an experienced MMC contractor who can deliver and project manage your build.
Mistake 4: Expecting different suppliers, teams and professionals to work together as one team
The Problem: Poor communication between suppliers, trades, and professionals can lead to misunderstandings, arguments, errors and costly changes or rework that could have been easily avoided.
How to Avoid It: When your managing your self build you or your project manager will need to establish clear communication channels with your team. Alterntively, work with a builder or principle contractor who understands the benefits of clear communication and has the systems, processes and supply chain to bring teams together to deliver successful projects.
Mistake 5: Trusting expected build costs from organisations and people who are not delivering the entire project
Problem: Organisations or contractors responsible for only a small part of your project, such as the superstructure, can offer full build prices to make there system seem affordable. However, they have no direct control over other project elements which creates a risk for self-builders. These prices are often too tight, leading to cost overruns as the reality of actual build costs come to light through the project.
How to Avoid: To avoid this, only accept full build prices from a builder or principal contractor who is responsible for the entire project. Alternatively, if your going it alone get quotes from suppliers who will complete each element of the build as this helps to provide comprehensive costings.
Please remember mistake 2 as if you go it alone you or a project manager will need to handle daily management tasks, including scheduling, procurement, management of the suppliers and trades and quality control, ensuring the project stays on track.
Mistake 6: Not planning for the unexpected!!
The Problem: So you've been told that MMC is super predictable, well unforeseen challenges can easily derail your self-build project. Just think about the unpredictable weather—torrential rain one day, baking sun the next and then high wind speeds along with global disruptions like wars or even boats getting stuck in canals!
How to Avoid: Build a contingency into your budget! It is your safety net and ensures you don’t end up scrambling when the unexpected visits your self build.
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