Building your custom home is one of the most significant investments you’ll make in your lifetime. It should be a journey of excitement and achievement, not filled with unnecessary stress and tension.
One critical factor that can either alleviate or exacerbate your stress throughout a home build project is the “communication with your builder.” Settling for poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, time delays and costly mistakes. There’s nothing worse than having your home dreams come crumbling down, just because your builder doesn’t know how to communicate properly.
Here’s why effective communication with your builder should be non-negotiable!
1. Ensure Clarity and Understanding
The client and the builder both need to be on the same page throughout the project. Effective communication is key to making this happen. It’s important to clearly define your project vision and expectations at the start of the process. By communicating your needs and wants, your builder will know exactly what the outcomes are for your project. This will also help avoid misunderstandings and set the tone for the entire project. Little misunderstandings can lead to big errors in design and construction, which are often very costly to rectify. For example: using the wrong materials or the incorrect placement of fixtures which can be avoided with regular confirmation emails or phone calls.
2. Fast-Track Problem Solving
Now, sometimes issues will inevitably arise throughout a project that are out of your and your builder’s control. But you want your builder to be adaptable and proactive in these situations. Weather conditions, material shortages, permit approvals and environmental hazards are just some of these situations. The outcome of these challenges greatly depends on your builder’s quality of communication and collaboration. For example: builders can plan for weather disruptions and include contingency plans and buffer times in the schedule. Your builder being able to think ‘outside the box’ and provide creative solutions is a Big Asset to your project’s success! Brainstorming sessions and involving the client in the solutions process will ultimately lead to quicker resolutions and getting your project back on track!
“From the moment we first contacted Crown about building our house, to the moment they finished, Crown was superb to deal with. Their communication, transparency and ‘can do’ attitude ensured the process was smooth and on-time with excellent results.”
Erik, B – Crown Client
3. Build Trust and Confidence
Transparent and open communication with your builder is going to build a high level of trust and partnership. Knowing that your builder is going to be responsive and honest with you, will significantly reduce your anxiety and stress levels throughout the project. For example: your builder sharing each version of the updated plan with you, and clearly specifying what updates have been made so there’s no confusion. By knowing that your builder is going to keep you well-updated throughout the project you can build a solid relationship based on trust and respect.
Remember these specific actions you want from your builder to ensure effective communication:
1. Weekly Emails
Weekly emails are a minimum requirement for a professional and organised builder. Weekly emails are the perfect way to consistently keep in touch with clients and inform them about completed and upcoming works. This is also a great opportunity for you to reply to these emails with any questions you have about the project or its progress.
2. Responsive Team
Your Construction Supervisor should make a commitment to return your calls within a timely manner. Custom builders have a capped number of projects so every client receives priority and quality communication. It’s important to remember that your Construction Supervisor is often taking a lot of phone calls with suppliers and trades etc. so it’s good practice to be available when they call or organise a time that’s suitable for both of you.
3. Photo & Video Updates
These make a world of difference! If you have a busy schedule, you might not always be able to physically visit the job site, so having these updates will allow you to see exactly what’s happening. Remember to document everything so you can refer back to an exact photo or video when discussing with your builder as well.
So effective communication doesn’t have to be ‘over the top’, but it does need to be thorough, genuine and consistent. And effective communication with your builder is inevitably essential for a successful building project. It ensures clarity, prevents mistakes, builds trust and enhances the overall building experience. Don’t settle for poor communication, know what to expect so you can choose a builder that is going to bring our home dreams to life in the least stressful way.
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