Column by Oliver Girharz Building on Mallorca: The project goals
The plot of land has been selected, the purchase is imminent and you know exactly what you want your dream home to look like. Friends have recommended an architect, and the builder who built your friend's house five years ago seems to be the right one for you.
So there is nothing to stop you from starting construction as soon as possible and spending your next vacation in your vacation home in Mallorca as soon as possible. In theory, it's quite simple. But it soon turns out that the architect's first draft cannot be realized according to your ideas as planned, the construction costs turn out to be many times higher than initially estimated and the planned move-in date becomes a distant prospect even before construction begins.
The project goals
Every prospective builder should clearly define their project goals from the outset, which are always the same: Costs – Deadlines – Quality! Each of these objectives has a direct impact on the entire construction project and should be worked out in a structured manner. Unconsidered targets can quickly turn the initially euphoric mood into frustration.
The time factor
The time factor in particular plays a predominant role for many when building. Before even the planning has been completed, the future owner already knows exactly when they want to move into their new vacation home. In principle, there is nothing wrong with this, but the planned desired date should also be realistic. Unrealistic deadlines have a direct impact on quality and costs, a consequence that you should be aware of from the outset.
Cost factor
Determining an overall budget should be a priority even before planning begins, even if you don't have an upper budget limit for your dream home. It is more than just annoying if the costs literally explode in the course of the construction work.
Factor quality
Normal, high or luxurious standards are subjective perceptions for many people. What represents a high standard for one person may only mean mediocrity for another, or vice versa. Quality should therefore be determined as far as possible from the outset via materials and execution quality and recorded in writing.
Conclusion
A project can only be planned and implemented sensibly and realistically once the project goals have been defined. If you have calculated a budget that is too low for the desired construction project, this may also have a direct impact on the completion date and quality. If you want to complete the project in record time, you may have to make compromises in terms of quality or execution. "Good things take time" is not just a saying, but applies particularly to construction, and not just on Mallorca.
Tip
Every builder has different priorities when it comes to project goals. Ultimately, however, quality is the most important of all project goals alongside the budget. Only if the quality of the entire project ultimately meets the client's expectations will they feel comfortable in their dream home!
The author is the managing director of the engineering and project management office Matrol Servicios y Peritajes SL. Contact: Phone 971 10 40 25 – Website: www.matrol.es.
