What an unfinished basilica in Bologna can teach us about planning well before construction begins.
Recently, on a visit to Italy, my wife and I walked through Piazza Maggiore on our way to Neptune’s Square. As we rounded the corner of Galleria dei Notai, we took in the view of Bologna’s Basilica, the Basilica of San Petronio.
Taking one look at this huge brick building, this old contractor instantly exclaimed:
“That building isn’t finished!”
Naturally, those who heard me make this strange declaration probably thought I must be crazy. Why on earth would they not have finished it?
My contractor brain kicked in, and I guessed out loud, “Change orders.”
Change orders can create confusion, delays, added cost, and coordination challenges on a construction project. I was only guessing about the reason the Basilica looked unfinished, so I decided to learn what had actually happened.
The real history is more complicated than my first contractor’s guess, but it still offers a useful lesson for anyone considering a construction project, including a custom or semi-custom home.
A Construction Project Centuries in the Making
The Municipality of Bologna approved the Basilica of San Petronio in the late 14th century, and construction began in 1390 under architect Antonio di Vincenzo.
The vision was extraordinarily ambitious. According to the Basilica’s official history, the plan eventually called for a vast Latin-cross church with transepts, a dome, and four bell towers, with a final scale that would have exceeded St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
But the project evolved over generations. Technical and economic difficulties, along with changing political and spiritual circumstances, prevented the full vision from being completed. Construction stretched across more than three centuries, from 1390 to 1663.
The most visible reminder is the façade. Its lower portion is clad in marble while the upper portion remains exposed brick, giving the Basilica the unmistakable unfinished appearance that caught my attention that day in Bologna.
So my first guess about “change orders” was not the historical explanation. Still, the Basilica makes the broader point beautifully: when the vision, resources, decisions, and construction process do not stay aligned, a project can take a very different path than originally intended.
That is a useful lesson for anyone considering a custom home or semi-custom home project.
Complete the Design Before Construction Begins
First, get your design completed prior to starting construction.
Often, customers get excited about their new home and want to get started before they finish picking out their finishes. The logic is understandable:
How can my tile selection or paint color impact the foundation?
The answer is threefold.
1. Finish Selections Can Affect Earlier Construction Decisions
Some finish materials are heavier than others or require different substrates, framing, supports, or installation details. Those requirements may need to be considered well before the finish itself is installed.
What appears to be a decorative selection can sometimes influence decisions much earlier in the construction process.
2. Even Finish Choices Can Affect Earlier Work
Paint sheen, wall treatments, trim details, and other finish choices can influence how surfaces are prepared and how earlier work is completed.
Again, something that appears to be a decision made near the end of the project may affect work that happens much earlier.
3. Incomplete Information Creates Coordination Problems
Construction depends on many people working from the same information at the right time.
When selections, drawings, or written instructions are incomplete or continue to change, the builder has more information to update and more trades to coordinate. That increases the chance that one decision will affect work already planned or underway.
Making important decisions early gives the entire team a clearer path forward and helps reduce unnecessary delays and added cost.
Limit Change Orders During a Custom Home Build
Second, do everything you reasonably can to limit changes once construction begins.
That does not mean a homeowner should never make a change. Sometimes a better idea emerges, a product becomes unavailable, or an adjustment simply makes sense.
But every change creates another point where information has to move through the project. The builder may need to update pricing, schedules, drawings, purchase orders, or instructions to several trades, and one change can affect work that seems unrelated at first.
That is why even a seemingly simple change deserves careful consideration before the work moves forward.
A Simple Door Change May Not Be So Simple
As an example, changing the swing hand on a door seems like a simple change.
But if the electrical work is already done, a switch may also need to be moved.
If the electrical work is not done, what happens if the electrician does not read the change order because it is viewed as a trim change rather than an electrical change?
A small adjustment can quickly affect multiple trades.
So before you make that change, make sure it is important enough to be worth it.
Changes Can Affect the Rhythm of Construction
Third, construction has a sequence and a rhythm. Each trade arrives with a specific scope of work, the materials needed for that work, and an understanding of what comes next.
When decisions change after that sequence is underway, the effect may extend beyond the individual item being changed. Materials may need to be reordered, another trade may need to return, or work that was already coordinated may need to be adjusted.
That is not because a homeowner should never ask for a change. Sometimes changes are necessary and sometimes they are worth making.
But the fewer unnecessary changes that occur during construction, the easier it is for the builder and craftsmen to maintain momentum and stay focused on building the home well.
Good Custom Home Construction Begins With Good Planning
So, in closing, change orders are an expense and distraction that are best avoided through a thorough design process on the front end and the discipline to see that project through to completion.
For homeowners considering a custom home in Columbia, Spring Hill, Maury County, or elsewhere in Middle Tennessee, thoughtful planning before construction begins can help reduce delays, unnecessary expenses, confusion, and avoidable mistakes.
The goal is not to eliminate the personal choices that make a custom home your own.
Quite the opposite.
The goal is to make those important decisions at the right time, so that once construction begins, the contractor, subcontractors, and craftsmen can focus on bringing that vision to life.
At Locke & Headley Homes, we believe thoughtful planning and careful craftsmanship go hand in hand. If you are considering a custom home in Middle Tennessee, explore our Build on Your Lot process or contact Locke & Headley Homes to begin the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Home Change Orders
What is a change order when building a custom home?
A change order is a change to the original construction plans, selections, materials, or scope of work after those details have already been established. Depending on the change, it can affect the cost, construction schedule, materials, and work performed by other subcontractors.
How can I avoid change orders when building a custom home?
The best way to reduce change orders is to make as many design and finish decisions as possible before construction begins. Completing selections early gives the builder and subcontractors clearer information and reduces the likelihood of changes later.
Can I make changes after construction has started?
Yes, changes can be made during construction, but even small changes may affect other parts of the project. Before making a change, it is worth considering whether the change is important enough to justify the additional cost, coordination, or potential delay.
Why do builders need finish selections before construction begins?
Finish selections can affect more than appearance. Tile, paint, fixtures, cabinetry, flooring, and other materials may influence structural, electrical, drywall, plumbing, or installation decisions that occur much earlier in the building process.
Can change orders delay a custom home project?
Yes. Depending on the change, a change order may require different materials, additional work, coordination between subcontractors, or revisions to work that has already been completed. Making important decisions early can help keep construction moving more smoothly.