When building or renovating your home, whether it’s freshening up an old bathroom or creating a brand new custom space from scratch, it pays to have the builder you hire, on your side. After all, builders and their tradies are the professionals and we need to trust them. We’ve already discussed what questions to ask when hiring a builder which you can read here, but what happens once you’ve selected the best people for the job? How do you make sure you stay on good terms? Because let’s face it, sometimes things don’t always go according to plan, things are overlooked or misunderstood and mistakes can happen. Here are some tips on how to get the best out of your trades.
COMMUMICATE OPENLY & HONESTLY
Whilst there are many things you can do to get the most out of your builder, the most important would have to be communication. Communication is key when it comes to renovating. If you’re not open and honest with your builder on what you want, how do you expect to receive the best result? A reputable builder will already communicate well so it pays to reciprocate.
The best type of clients are the ones that know what they want and aren’t afraid to ask questions. It’s also best to keep your communication in regards to the project to the person running it rather than each specific trade. This way, you don’t run the risk of things being misunderstood or overlooked. If you have any issues or wish to discuss anything in further detail, give your builder a call! Mistakes can happen, we’re all human. And if you are calm when discussing them with your builder then you’ll likely find the solution a lot easier. Yelling isn’t going to get a resolution, as the saying goes, ‘You catch more flies with honey than vinegar’.
TRUST THEIR EXPERTISE
A good relationship between builder and client is based on good communication and trust. A trusting relationship from the beginning, along with clear communication, helps with the success of your project. Jobs that go really well are the ones where the starting foundation is built on trust from both parties. When you set our clear expectations on what you’re looking for and trust your builder when it comes to timing and pricing, the job runs more smoothly.
Don’t second guess your builder’s decision to construct something in a particular way, they are the experts and you should trust that they know what they’re doing, isn’t that why you hired them in the first place?
HAVE A PLAN & BE DECISIVE
An important quality for you to get the best out of your builder is to know what you want and be a good decision maker. Being able to negotiate hurdles along the way with minimal delay will ensure productivity continues and timing and budget will only be affected marginally.
Jobs that don’t run smoothly are often ones where the client hasn’t begun the project with a clear vision and are continuously changing their mind. Changing your mind once construction has started opens the door for price hikes and can push out the schedule drastically. There are lead times on certain products and trades aren’t always available during certain times. Having a clear idea on what you want the final product to look like or even making your selections prior to construction beginning can help ensure the success of your project.
PREPARE YOUR HOME
There’s nothing worse for the builder’s tradies than when they turn up to a job site that’s a mess. It also prolongs the project because it means they will have to spend time clearing away things before even starting construction on your project. Before your project commences, depending on what type of project it is, put away any personal objects and anything you don’t want thrown out. Make sure there’s a clear path from your front door to the construction site and keep children and their toys away from the work site.
BE NICE!
After all, they’re human too! Make a connection, manners cost nothing and just because the tradies are hired help, doesn’t mean you can’t be polite. A simple “Hello” or “How’s your day been?” can go a long way. Show them where your toilet is in case they need to use it, introduce them to your children or any pets you have, if it’s a hot day, offer them a refreshing drink and if you’re feeling super nice, treat them to some home-baked goodies! The opportunity to pause and have a chat or something to eat is greatly appreciated.
PAY ON TIME
Finances play a huge part in a successful builder/client relationship. Your builder should have already been upfront and honest with their pricing so the least you could do is pay your invoices on time. Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business with the biggest cash inflow coming from customers payments. It’s important to pay your invoices on time because these payments are for things that help keep your builder’s business running, like: materials, employees wages and general operating expenses.
At the end of the day, it’s a two-way street, so if you’ve found a builder you can trust, you know they’re going to do whatever they can to not let you down so it’s only fair to do the same. If you’re planning on renovating or wish to discuss your ideas, schedule a call with one of our team members and begin your renovating journey!