If they dodge specifics or keep blaming “the market,” I start wondering if they’re juggling too many projects.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not sure it’s always a red flag if the timeline shifts—especially lately. On my last project, even the “cheap” materials had crazy lead times. I do expect clear updates, but sometimes delays really are out of their hands. That said, if the costs start creeping up along with the delays, that’s when I get worried. Transparency matters, but so does sticking to the budget...
I totally get the anxiety around shifting timelines, especially when you’re watching your budget like a hawk. On my last reno, the builder kept saying “supply chain issues” and I was skeptical at first, but then I actually saw the emails from suppliers—stuff really was backordered for months. Still, I started to get nervous when the invoices started creeping up too. Is it just me, or does it feel like sometimes “market conditions” becomes a catch-all excuse for everything?
I’m all for being understanding about delays if they’re upfront about it, but I do wonder—how much wiggle room is normal before it’s a problem? Like, if the timeline slips by a couple weeks, fine... but when it’s months and the costs keep rising, that’s when I start questioning things. Has anyone ever tried putting a cap on how much over budget you’ll go before pulling the plug? Or is that just wishful thinking?
