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Welcome To:

The Contractor Checklist

Trade Management Master Class

Congratulations — You’re Building Smart

(A Five-Part Homeowner Education Series)

Summary:


This two-part class teaches homeowners how to use the Subcontractor Step-By-Step Plan side-by-side with their Project Manager to bring structure, communication, and accountability to every trade. Instead of focusing on how to fill out the form, the lessons show how to use the plan as a management tool — guiding kickoff meetings, coordinating materials and inspections, tracking changes, and closing each phase with clear documentation and quality control. When the homeowner and PM work from the same plan, the project flows smoothly, budgets stay accurate, and every subcontractor knows exactly what’s expected before the first shovel hits the ground.

Kickoff Alignment: Scope → Sequence → Success

Summary:


Use the Step-By-Step Plan as the meeting agenda to align the PM, homeowner, and GC on what’s happening, in what order, and who owns which decisions for each trade (e.g., 05 Excavation → 07 Concrete → 09 Framing → 10 Roofing, etc.).


Action Items:

✅ Book a trade-by-trade kickoff with your PM using the plan as the agenda.

✅ Ask the PM to map dependencies (e.g., 811 call & photos before burial → excavation; rough-ins before concrete; shear inspection before siding).

✅ Confirm decision owners (you, PM, designer) for selections that gate work.

✅ Request a one-page summary per upcoming trade (scope, milestones, risks).

✅ Pin the plan link to your Digital Home Manual top-left.

Risk & Safety Planning (Excavation/Concrete First)

Summary:


For ground and structure phases, use the plan to ensure risk assessments, site photos, elevations, and 811 calls are completed and documented before burial or pour.


Action Items:

✅ Confirm PM has a Risk Assessment & Safety Plan for each early trade.

✅ Require 811 completed & logged (ticket # + date).

✅ Set a rule: photo documentation before any burial/pour (utilities, footings, sleeves).

✅ Verify elevation “shoots” are scheduled and filed.

✅ Add a “stop work if not documented” note to the PM’s daily checklist.

Procurement & Contingencies with the PM

Summary:


Use the ordering sections to keep orders timely (not too early, not too late), add contingency (per trade), and pre-approve alternates to avoid delays.


Action Items:

✅ Ask PM for the two-quote check on major materials (or vendor confirmations).

✅ Approve contingency % by trade (e.g., 10% excavation/roofing, 25% framing).

✅ Pre-approve alternate SKUs/suppliers for shortages (document in plan).

✅ Require confirmed delivery dates to be posted to the schedule.

✅ Ensure receipts & packing slips get scanned to your manual weekly.

Logistics & Site Readiness

Summary:


Before mobilization, align on parking, storage, weather protection, pump access, no-trespassing signage, and staging—so crews don’t burn time or money.


Action Items:

✅ Walk the site with PM to mark storage zones and truck paths (e.g., pump truck, flatbed).

✅ Confirm No Trespassing / PPE signs and weather protection (plastic, hoses).

✅ Pre-assign a materials checker for deliveries (damage/photos).

✅ Set clean-truck/pump-out locations (concrete day).

✅ Create a “heads-up list”—who the PM informs if readiness slips.

Inspections & Compliance Cadence

Summary:


Use the plan’s inspection prompts to calendar city/third-party inspections and the PM’s internal QC holds (blue-tape/punch, before-you-bury photos, shear/plywood checks).


Action Items:

✅ Ask PM to calendar all inspections by trade one week ahead.

✅ Require a pre-inspection mini-checklist (per trade) to avoid fails.

✅ Confirm who calls the inspector and when.

✅ Establish a photo proof rule for any covered work.

✅ Add a weekly inspection/QC recap to your progress email.

Thank you for completing this Session!

Due Diligence is the difference between designing with confidence and building on guesswork.

What is in the Master Class?

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