Anyone who has completed a home renovation or home construction project will agree that communication is vital. Good communication reduces stress, improves project satisfaction, and limits cost overruns.
Homeowners can minimize opportunities for miscommunication, by following B Gallant Homes Best Practices.
Homeowners can minimize opportunities for miscommunication, by following B Gallant Homes Best Practices.
ONE POINT OF CONTACT
Elect one person within your household to speak with and relay decisions to your Project Manager
This ensures that communication with your Project Manager maintains efficiency and accuracy. With only one person “authorized” to discuss details and ask questions regarding your project, similar questions and contradicting decisions are avoided.
Of course, this doesn’t mean only one person has the decision-making ability, only that one person communicates the agreed decisions and asks the collective questions.
This ensures that communication with your Project Manager maintains efficiency and accuracy. With only one person “authorized” to discuss details and ask questions regarding your project, similar questions and contradicting decisions are avoided.
Of course, this doesn’t mean only one person has the decision-making ability, only that one person communicates the agreed decisions and asks the collective questions.
KEEP A PROJECT JOURNAL
Have a set place to record your project details. Paper or digital doesn’t matter, as long as you use it consistently. Everything from conversations with your Contractor, decisions you’ve made and the dates you relayed them should be easily accessible to your household.
Record the questions you want to ask, have asked, and the answers you received.
Whether you mainly communicate in person or via phone, text, or email, having one spot where you can reference information is best.
Remember to date your entries just in case.
Record the questions you want to ask, have asked, and the answers you received.
Whether you mainly communicate in person or via phone, text, or email, having one spot where you can reference information is best.
Remember to date your entries just in case.
SPEAK UP
If you’re unsure of what a term means; you have a question; don’t like a suggestion; or notice the wrong product is installed; speak!
Builder jargon is a thing, standard for the industry, but ambivalent for everyone else. It’s important to fully understand the details and meaning behind the words, so ask for clarification.
Ask questions or voice concerns as soon as possible. Some changes can be done easily, but others if caught too late will require a significant investment of both money and time to correct.
By speaking up and being clear with definitions, you will reduce headaches for both yourself and your Project Manager.
Builder jargon is a thing, standard for the industry, but ambivalent for everyone else. It’s important to fully understand the details and meaning behind the words, so ask for clarification.
Ask questions or voice concerns as soon as possible. Some changes can be done easily, but others if caught too late will require a significant investment of both money and time to correct.
By speaking up and being clear with definitions, you will reduce headaches for both yourself and your Project Manager.
IMAGES
Clear communication can be better achieved with the use of photographs and images.
Provide photographs of the areas as they currently are and mark where you want the changes to happen.
Search for images of your desired outcome and share them with your contractor.
Product descriptions can be misleading, and mistakes can be made when ordering, by providing an image of the detailing or product choice ensures clarity and insurance against mistakes.
Your Contractor will appreciate a visual representation and you can be sure that the overall effect will be achieved.
Provide photographs of the areas as they currently are and mark where you want the changes to happen.
Search for images of your desired outcome and share them with your contractor.
Product descriptions can be misleading, and mistakes can be made when ordering, by providing an image of the detailing or product choice ensures clarity and insurance against mistakes.
Your Contractor will appreciate a visual representation and you can be sure that the overall effect will be achieved.
UNDERSTAND YOUR CONTRACT
Before any work commences in your home, ensure you have read and fully understand your contract. You, as well as your contractor, must keep a signed copy.
Important details, including construction start & finish times, owner and contractor responsibilities, payment terms, and the project’s written estimate should all be referenced.
Any questions or concerns should be addressed at the time of signing. It is especially necessary to have your contractor explain their estimate, what is included and what is not. Think about items such as disposal, inspections, and warranties.
Important details, including construction start & finish times, owner and contractor responsibilities, payment terms, and the project’s written estimate should all be referenced.
Any questions or concerns should be addressed at the time of signing. It is especially necessary to have your contractor explain their estimate, what is included and what is not. Think about items such as disposal, inspections, and warranties.
Everyone communicates in their own way, so before everything else, make sure you have an easy rapport with a contractor before starting any project.