The Best Projects are Built on a Foundation of Trust
Trust. When you are tackling a home or office renovation, trust in your contractor is essential. Any new construction or renovation project is stressful, but a renovation project oftentimes is also very disruptive to normal daily life or business activities. Budget, timelines, reliable workers and respect for your existing spaces are all elements that play into a renovation project. You want to trust that your contractor is looking out for your best interests throughout every phase of the project.
So, how do you determine if a contractor is worthy of your trust? That’s a tough question because every person has their own way of establishing trust. However, there are four key elements that we, at Scholl Construction, believe are essential to building a relationship of trust with our clients. As you evaluate different contractors and begin your home or office renovation project, we encourage you to keep these four elements in mind.
Finding the Right Contractor
When you evaluate different contractors to help you make your renovation project a reality, there are two key things to look for:
1. Being up-front and honest about relevant credentials and processes
Your contractor should be able to share with you the details about his or her education and background, as well as the qualifications of the subcontractors and tradespeople who will be working in your home or office building. You should also be able to get an idea of how he or she tackles a project and what you can expect to experience when working with his or her firm. Any hesitation about credentials or processes is a red flag that should send you on a search for another contractor.
2. Providing references, testimonials and/or having an online presence
It’s tough to learn about the quality of a contractor’s work when you are unable to refer to some examples. While not every contractor will have a robust website for you to scroll through at your leisure at home, they should be able to show you photos of previous jobs and letters of recommendation from former clients. Even a gallery of past jobs will help you to see if the contractor has experience doing the kind of work your project requires. If a contractor cannot provide a few examples of past work and satisfied clients, it’s probably a good idea to move on and find a contractor that’s a better fit for you.
Working with Your Contractor
Once you have selected your contractor, entered into a formal agreement and have financial interest in moving the project forward, there are two essential ways your contractor can build on your trust and ensure the success of your collaboration.
3. Preparing a detailed estimate of the entire scope of the renovation project
Your contractor should be able to provide you with a written estimate of all the materials and labor costs, along with a timeline for the project. Your estimate is a valuable tool that ensures the construction plan matches the architectural and engineering drawings and aligns with your vision for your new space.
The estimate is really a defined scope of work that sets your expectations and provides a framework to determine when changes are outside the initial plan. Most projects encounter unforeseen hiccups along the way, but with the estimate in place from the outset, you and your contractor will be able to determine if the project is going off track and where changes in the plan should be addressed. A comprehensive estimate is perhaps the most important element of your relationship with your contractor. Make sure you are satisfied with it before your project moves forward.
4. Promptly answering your questions
From the very start, you will have questions about your project. At the very least, you will want to know if and when workers will be at your home or office, especially if you are still occupying the space during the renovation.
You should expect to receive return phone calls and emails from your contractor providing the answers you want and need in a timely manner. Everyone is busy but taking care of customers and making sure they are comfortable at every stage of the project should always be a contractor’s priority. Be sure to discuss your communication requirements and set expectations with your contractor at the outset to avoid frustrations and misunderstandings.
A good working relationship between you and your contractor begins with a foundation of trust. Take the time to ask the same questions of every contractor you consider for your project to find the right team for your job.
You can trust Scholl Construction to listen to your needs and understand your vision for your new home or office space or your commercial or residential renovation. Call Scholl Construction at 815-479-0910, or contact us online to discuss how we can turn your dream into reality.
