I just added a module to the website. It is designed to keep everyone in the loop. The idea was not new; I just found a company that provides a needed service that I did not need to invent. I partnered with a company that has created an amazing tool. They also seem to be interested in getting new ideas so I will be a great partner in that respect. Now my clients have the ability to view everything about their projects anytime. They can keep up on daily logs and change orders, as well as photos and documents from the comfort of anywhere. Check out the video demo on the website.

Portal Screen Shot

It has already paid for itself in catching potential confusion and eliminating unnecessary phone calls. It is also the official site for all selections and communications as well as a hub for my subcontractors to get vital information.

The schedule is easily modified and  gives a real time look at what has happened, what will happen, and when appointments are scheduled.

I believe this has set me apart from my competitors just a little further. It also erases a frustrating component of remodeling that I never liked. It sets my clients apart too. If you are the kind of client that likes to know what is going on and where important documents are kept, then Levco is the contractor for you. See the entire web page at www.levcobuilders.com

Scheduling is a very important part of any project. Levco’s Project Manager is the task master that eats, sleeps, and breathes Scheduling. So much goes into creating a realistic time line, the reality is that no matter what you produce it is merely a measuring instrument. At Levco we strive to under promise and over deliver. During a project there are so many variable involved in hitting the expected completion date that we try very hard to balance the needs of all the players to achieve a reasonable completion date. Over the years we have learned several valuable lessons.

Our time line

1. The order that we do our work matters, there are unwritten rules about the order of work to be done (Like in the movie Ghost Busters don’t cross the streams or it will end life as we know it)
2. Don’t schedule folks on top of each other ( Everyone needs some space to spread out and make a mess.
3. Respect Mother Nature. Sure enough, weather can delay a project no matter how much you want to finish on time.
4. Drying times are finite. Nothing good comes from rushing.
5. Hunting season is not a good time to do much of anything that depends upon Sub-Contractors
6. Shit happens, plumbing fixtures arrive broken in the box. Specialty items are on back order. Inventories are low these days. under ordering a few marble tiles from Brazil can wreck a schedule.

Levco has come up with a time line that helps everyone keep track of where we are and where we want to be. We now use the Client Portal to schedule but this primitive form of looking at a project was very useful.