Among the most frequent problems are material or documentation shortages, delays, and upfront payments without corresponding work progress. Building managers also report uncertainty about project status and duration, along with a lack of technical expertise to effectively discuss issues with contractors. Throughout the renovation process, debates and problems often arise, leading to disputes and even contract amendments.
Disagreements are generally caused by construction issues, according to Eng. Claudio Silva, founder of Prevente Engenharia. These could have been identified through specialized consulting, which would have resulted in a detailed project description for the work, or issues that could have been claimed under warranty.
Problems unknown to the building manager or the service provider are a major source of reported issues. Without prior planning, the company encounters difficulties as the project progresses, leading to increased costs and client insecurity. Worse still, problems are often not analyzed correctly or could have been identified during a diagnosis before the bidding process.
Hiring a specialized company doesn't guarantee all problems will be resolved. Typically, there's no consulting work that would lead to a specific project description for that particular issue. Companies, in bids where proposals aren't charged for, lack the capacity to correctly assess what the client truly needs. They often focus on selling the solution they know, without discussing the root cause of the problem, which may or may not work out.
The clearest sign that a renovation is or might be facing problems is delay, perhaps due to an inadequate number of workers or, more significantly, non-payment of labor or materials. In some cases, the condominium makes a large down payment, and along with installments paid in the initial months, it becomes evident that the work hasn't matched or won't match the investment already made.
Therefore, our mission is to educate clients that before opening their bids, they should conduct specific consulting to diagnose the root cause of problems and describe them in a document (project, specification, or report). Only then should they put their renovation out for bids. This ensures the renovation and all its steps proceed with greater quality, safety, and predictability.
Prevente offers the XPERT program, which guides clients from the moment they place their order, providing consulting before they open bids, understanding their needs within the context and characteristics of each building. Xpert includes our specialized consulting services (Doctors) who will analyze the causes of problems and recommend the best solution or project, a document that will underpin the renovation monitoring process.
Although we prioritize prevention, when a client presents a problem, we can truly help them by always seeking to analyze each unique context, utilizing our consulting services, exclusive tools, and proven methods, whether or not legal action is involved.