How To Have Good Relationships With Contractors | Billy.com

People are bound to be a little nervous at the beginning of any remodeling project, especially when it comes to hiring a contractor. When you bring a new contractor on board, you are inviting a stranger into your home for an extended period. If you want to learn how to have good relationships with contractors, read on and learn some helpful tips.

Communicate Often

A bedrock of nearly every successful relationship, professional or otherwise, solid communication with your contractor is essential. Through healthy, frequent communication, you can discuss ideas and approach concerns in a secure setting.

You should start the project by establishing first how the contractor likes to communicate. Do they prefer speaking over the phone, or through text, or in person? You should also determine specific dates and times when you will check in to talk about the progress of the project.

Be Clear About What You Want

Nothing slows down a working relationship like uncertainty and miscommunication. When contractors think of nightmare clients, they often think of the ones who came back each week with new, muddled ideas for how to change the project. Of all the advice in this list of how to have a good relationship with your contractor, perhaps the most important is that you make final decisions about the project before you order the supplies, stick to those decisions, and clearly articulate them to your contractor.

Learn About the Process

Most contractors do not want an entirely passive client. They want you involved. They want you to talk to them about the process. By talking with the contractor and educating yourself on their work, you both can have peace of mind that everyone is on the same page. Important questions like, “How long does a bathroom renovation take?” are easier to approach in environments that promote learning than ones that demand quiet, impersonalized work.

Be Approachable

Lastly, one of the best ways to build a strong relationship with your contractor is to simply be a good, approachable person. Be someone who other people want to work with. Be accommodating and nice. You should treat your contractor as though they were a guest in your home. That is what they are, after all.