As the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold in America, states are taking drastic action to slow the spread and flatten the curve. By now, we’re all familiar with—and hopefully adapting to—governor-issued stay-at-home orders. These executive orders limit everything from game night with friends to businesses and activities deemed “non-essential.” And while Oregon’s construction industry is still up and running, the team at CNC still faces some unique challenges in responding to COVID-19.
During times of crisis, fear is a natural response. We’ve seen this fear manifest in the form of empty grocery store shelves, businesses laying off or furloughing workers, and canceled plans. But through it all, CNC is here to keep building. Here’s how we’re responding to COVID-19, keeping your projects moving along, and safeguarding the health of our crews, clients, and contractors.
Meetings
To practice responsible social distancing, and keep our team and clients safe, we’re taking meetings via phone or video. One of our favorite parts of the job has always been sitting down and getting to know our clients. We believe there’s real value in that face-to-face time, as we work with you to design the custom home of your dreams. In the time of social distancing, we can’t shake your hand and sit across the table from you. But we’re just as committed to building a strong, personal connection. Plus, it’s not every day you get to work with the expert team designing your new home from the comfort of your current home.
Job site safety
We’re adjusting our practices and regulations as things evolve to ensure the safety of our crews and contractors. That means managing worksite flow to maintain proper social distancing.
Responding to COVID-19 with tech-forward solutions
Looking for a way to visit the job site without breaking stay-at-home orders? Buildertrend powers each CNC project. Buildertrend puts project management, financial, and customer service tools in the palm of your hand. You can use the cloud-based app to quickly and easily communicate with your building team throughout the building process. It’s the next best thing to standing on the job site yourself.
Another tech-forward solution for pandemic times? Our virtual home tours. While we’ve always been proud of our virtual tours, they’re even more relevant now. With our technology, you can comply with the state’s stay-at-home orders while still visiting some of our favorite custom homes.
When you support CNC, you’re supporting small businesses
A recent report by Axios showed that, across the country, 96% of small businesses already feel the pandemic’s impact. And though we’re proud to have worked on some large projects, CNC Homes is still a small business. Every project helps us support our team as they face the implications of coronavirus.
Perhaps even more importantly, when you partner with us, you’re not just supporting one small business. You’re supporting an entire network of local suppliers, contractors, architects, and designers.
How to keep your projects up and running
Now is the time for everybody to get creative—from retailers moving their product catalogs online to restaurants perfecting their takeout menus. Of course, a custom home is a more substantial investment than dinner from your favorite local restaurant. But there are still ways that we can work together to protect your long term goals.
Consider downsizing or delaying
As consumers across the country worry about the economic implications of the novel coronavirus, many are hedging their bets and cancelling construction projects. As Steve Lesser noted in a recent interview with ConstructionDive, a sense of panic in affected areas is nearly as debilitating as the health effects themselves. Lesser is a past chairman of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law. “Until people feel more secure, it’s going to be a roller coaster of a ride,” he said.
The problem, of course, is that cancellations during the heat of the crisis will have a long-lasting ripple effect. That’s why we’re encouraging our clients to consider alternatives to outright canceling their custom home projects. We’re happy to work with you during this difficult time—and all the time—to ensure you’re getting the most out of your investment.
Plan for the post-pandemic
While you might not be ready to break ground on a new custom home right now, it’s never too early to start planning for your dream home. Together, we can work through the early phases of the building process, including design, financing, and securing contractor bids. That way, when you’re ready to move forward, all of the details are already taken care of.
Ready to remodel?
After spending so much time at home, you may be ready for a post-quarantine change. Luckily, CNC Homes also does remodels and add-ons. Whether you want to update the master suite, add an attached media room, or think your home could use another bathroom, we’re here to help.
We’re all in this together
Businesses and individuals across the country currently face the daunting task of responding to COVID-19. During this time of uncertainty, we think it’s more important than ever before to remember why we’re here, and why we do what we do. For us, it’s always been about creating a beautiful space for our clients to call home. We love getting to know your needs, preferences, and dreams. That’s why we take the time to build relationships and practice such care through every stage of our building process.
While this is a difficult time, we’re sure that our Central Oregon communities will emerge stronger and more united than ever before. Thank you for your support, and be well!