Proper Care and Feeding of Your Contractor

Selecting a contractor can be a challenging and tiring process. Making sure you get along with your builder will not only make the process more enjoyable, but it is crucial to the success of your project. Having strangers in your home can be stressful on all parties involved and may require some concessions on your part. Over the years I have found that most “contractor horror stories” are the result of bad pre-project planning and lack of communication on the part of both contractor and client. Now that you have selected a contractor there are some things to keep in mind to ensure the relationship stays intact and your project is smooth.

1. Do not rush the design and planning phase of the project.
   Getting to a sound well thought out design will pay dividends once the project starts. Keeping track of the project, suppliers, and timelines is challenging enough. Making additions and changes adds time and cost to the project. It’s exciting to get a project started, but avoid the temptation to start without ALL details spelled out and finalized.
   
   
2. Trust your decision
   You put a lot of time and effort into selecting a contractor who is trustworthy and professional, and at this point have completed the design and planning. Trust your decision. Working with someone who seems skeptical of you and your experience is unpleasant. Your contractor will sense that distrust and likely distrust you in return, adding unnecessary stress to the relationship. If things don’t seem right it’s ok to clarify, but avoid doing so in an accusatory manor.
   
   
3. Let your contractor do the work
   Now that your project is started, try to leave your contractor alone. Most professionals don’t perform well while being micromanaged. You’re paying your contractor to make sure that ‘I’s are dotted and ‘T’s are crossed. Let him or her do it. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t communicate. It means a daily update in passing or an email should be all that’s necessary for you to keep tabs on the project. I talk with or email my clients twice a week while my project managers give a quick update each morning or afternoon as they come and go. At the end of each week a “Friday update” as I call them keeps you and your builder on the same page. Also keep in mind that chatting and pleasantries are not free. Most of the crew on your job are hourly employees. Chatting seams polite but can be very expense for your builder if it’s a fix bid project, and expensive for you if it’s billed time and material.
   
   
4. Pay your contractor by the agreed upon date
   Nothing will sour a client builder relationship faster than not paying on time. A good contract will clearly spell out when a draw is due. Some builders will even send out a draw request or invoice to help remind you. Pay them immediately. Even if in your mind there is a small item that still needs addressed. Holding the preverbal carrot will strain your relationship. Not paying on time can also strain the contractor’s cash flow as much of the materials have been prepaid. Subcontractors also may not be paid until the builder has been paid for that phase of the project. This can cause other craftsman to be frustrated at your job without you even knowing it. The faster you pay, the faster everyone else gets paid, the happier everyone is to work on your job. Remember the happier everyone working on your job is the better service you will receive.
   
   
5. Being nice can go a long way
   Offering water or a soda to your workers is the best money you can spend on your job. Some companies have policies about accepting drinks or food from clients. A good way to get around this is to put out a cooler labeled “crew drinks” on the porch or where materials are being stored. Some of my clients have even gone so far as to have cook-outs for my crew on a Friday or after a big milestone. Those clients have my best guys fighting to work on their projects. They ultimately get better service because they have helped created a great work environment and, most importantly, have shown their appreciation for a job well done.

by Matthew Ray, CR
President - CCR Design-Build-Remodel
mray@ccrohio.com