What Really Impacts Your Construction Schedule

Building or remodeling a home is one of the most exciting—and sometimes unpredictable—experiences you’ll ever take on. Even with the best planning, things can shift. The truth is, construction timelines depend on a lot of moving parts, and not all of them are in our control.

At Meg & Co, we believe in being transparent about what really affects your schedule. Some delays are just part of life here in Idaho (hello, surprise spring snowstorms), but others can be minimized with good communication, flexibility, and teamwork.

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Here are six things that can make the biggest difference in your construction schedule—and how we stay proactive every step of the way.

1. Clients: Small Things, Big Impact

It might surprise you, but some of the biggest time savers, or slowdowns, often come from the smallest decisions. Waiting to finalize tile selections, changing paint colors midstream, or requesting “just one more” round of revisions can create a ripple effect across multiple trades.

Imagine this: your designer has created a clear vision for an arched wet bar with two sconces placed symmetrically on the wall. The drywall is finished, paint is about to go up, and suddenly the clients wonder if instead of sconces it would look better to have a pendant light on the ceiling. The sconces are already ordered, the electrical work is done, and everything was installed to fit the original design.

Could we make that change? Absolutely. But what does it take? Adjusting wiring, patching drywall, reordering materials, and coordinating multiple trades to redo completed work. It’s a perfect example of how one small design change can create hours of additional effort behind the scenes.

At Meg & Co, we always build a little breathing room into our timelines because we know ideas evolve as your home takes shape. But when selections are made promptly and communication stays clear, progress feels steady and your project stays right on track.

2. Change Orders – Adding and Adjusting Along The Way

When you enter an agreement with a builder, it’s important to know that change orders are part of the process. They’re not a sign something has gone wrong, it’s simply how construction works. Field conditions can vary (think unexpected soil, hidden utilities, or moisture), and sometimes clients change their minds on layouts or design details once the home starts taking shape. It’s completely normal.

A change order is the formal process of adjusting the original design or contract. Those adjustments include adding, removing, or modifying work after construction begins. This ensures everyone’s aligned on what’s changing, what it will cost, and how it will impact the schedule.

At Meg & Co, we see change orders as a natural part of custom home building. Your vision might evolve once you see a space framed or walk through it for the first time. Maybe you realize you want built-ins added to your mudroom, or you’d like to shift a window for a better mountain view. Could we make it happen? Absolutely—but that one decision might affect several trades, materials, and even inspection timing.

That’s why we take time to review each change order carefully—with transparency about scope, cost, and timing—so you can make an informed choice. We’d rather say, “Here’s what it will take,” than rush into something that causes headaches later.

3. Clients Talking Directly with Subcontractors

The quality of your home depends largely on the tradespeople who build it and at Meg & Co, we take that seriously. We work with a trusted network of skilled professionals who share our commitment to craftsmanship, communication, and care. We don’t just bid out jobs to find the lowest price or fastest turnaround; we partner with people who take pride in their work and understand our standards.

That’s why communication matters so much. Imagine this: a client swings by the site and runs into an electrician mid-install. In passing, they ask if an outlet can be moved “just ten inches to the left.” The electrician, wanting to be helpful, says, “Sure, no problem.” The client leaves happy and then the real work begins.

Now wiring has to be redone, inspections may need updating, and drywall repairs are on the horizon. Eventually, the homeowner receives an email explaining the extra work and cost which is something that could’ve been easily avoided with a quick check-in through the Project Manager or designer.

Our trades want to make clients happy (and so do we), but these kinds of casual field changes can ripple through the project. That’s why we ask that all requests go through our team. This keeps communication consistent, avoids confusion, and ensures every decision aligns with the overall plan.

In the end, everyone’s goal is the same: a beautiful, well-built home, completed on time and to the highest standard.

4. Trade Coordination

Our trade partners know each other well, and that’s a big part of why our projects run smoothly. Over time, we’ve built a network of skilled professionals who understand not just their own work, but how it fits into the sequence of the entire build.

In addition to our pull plan meeting, we orchestrate regular check-ins and site meetings so each trade knows exactly when one phase wraps up and it’s time for the next to begin. Each partner provides a realistic timeline for their work and follows through. That consistency matters, because when one trade’s schedule drifts off course, it sets off a chain reaction that impacts everyone else.

Every trade is connected. When one phase shifts, everything else adjusts accordingly. Plumbing can’t start before framing, and cabinetry can’t be installed until the floors and drywall are ready.

Our team uses detailed schedules and constant communication to stay ahead of these moving parts. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s coordination. When trades, materials, and inspections stay aligned, progress feels steady and efficient, even when challenges pop up.

5. Inspectors

Anyone in construction will tell you every inspector is different. Some are easy to work with and quick to pass great work. Others can make the process feel like an uphill climb, even when everything checks out. The truth is, passing an inspection can sometimes depend as much on who’s inspecting as what’s being inspected.

At Meg & Co, we approach every inspection with the same mindset: be prepared, be professional, and deliver quality. We can’t control how the day goes, or who shows up, but we can control our standards. By keeping our work consistent, detailed, and code-compliant, we make each inspection as smooth as possible, no matter who’s on the other side of the checklist.

Over time, our reputation for thoroughness and integrity has built trust with local inspectors, which helps keep projects moving forward. It’s one more reason we hold tight to our values: do it right the first time, and the rest usually falls into place.

6. Weather Happens

You’d never think that construction could thrive or crumble just because of the weather. However, that’s the reality for most builders who work in winter states, and Idaho is no exception.

Weather is one of the biggest wildcards in construction. We can plan for almost everything, but we can’t plan the forecast. That’s why we set expectations early with our clients about how weather may impact the schedule, especially if the build carries through the colder months.

Once a home is “dried in”, with the roof on and windows and doors installed, we can usually keep moving inside, even when temperatures drop. But certain things, like flatwork or some exterior finishes, have to wait for better weather. It’s not about delay, it’s about doing things right and protecting the quality of the work.

At Meg & Co, we’ve learned that managing expectations is just as important as managing schedules. By planning ahead and staying flexible, we keep projects steady through Idaho’s toughest seasons—and make sure the finished home is worth every moment of patience along the way.

What to Expect When Building With Meg & Co

Now you know the inside scoop on what really impacts a construction schedule. We don’t shy away from these realities—we plan for them. Every variable you’ve just read about has happened to us before, and those experiences are exactly what make us better.

So if you’re new here and thinking about building with Meg & Co, just know this: we come prepared. We shift timelines, we are aware of the changing weather! We’ve learned how to adapt, communicate, and keep the process moving because that’s what it takes to build homes (and relationships) that last.