There are several common disagreements builders have with their clients (or vice versa) and there are ways to avoid them. Here are some common examples and solutions.
- UNFINISHED WALKTHROUGH LISTS
The homeowner may feel that the builder never finished their walkthrough list. It is imperative for the builder and the client to walk the project together and develop A list, in writing that is agreed upon. Otherwise, items will be continually added, and the list will never end.
- CHANGES COST MONEY
Another misconception is a client thinking that small changes shouldn’t cost any extra, because they are already paying so much. The reality is that the builder priced the job based on a specific set of parameters. Any changes should be agreed upon in writing and fees paid promptly to avoid accumulated “surprise” fees at the end of the project.
- QUALITY EXPECTATIONS
Sometimes a client may think “this is a shoddy builder, they don’t know what they are doing and I would have never hired them if I had known this”. Different builders have different levels of quality and expectations. Often this can be differentiated by their pricing. If one builder is priced significantly less than another, there is probably a reason. Before hiring a builder, it is important to feel comfortable with the level of fit and finish they produce as well as their management abilities. Pictures of past projects can help with this. Speaking with past and current clients can provide invaluable insight as to what to expect from the builder you hire.
- NO ONE IS HEARING ME
If a client thinks their builder is not taking their concerns seriously or they are falling on deaf ears, I suggest regularly scheduled meetings with the builder to provide updates on the schedule, changes, address client concerns, and anything the builder needs to complete the project. At Custom Dwellings, we have a few pre-determined meetings for every project and provide written updates every week.
- STAYING IN YOUR LANE
When a client speaks directly with the subcontractors instead of going through the builder, this creates problems all around. The builder should be the point of communication for all activity on the job. This avoids he said/she said situations and misunderstandings of what the additional cost of special requests may be. The builder should be allowed to do what they are hired to do and that means open and honest communication with them, not side conversations with other people on site.
All these issues and more can usually be resolved by doing research up front to make sure you are hiring an experienced quality builder. Then once the project starts, retain open and honest communication while allowing the builder to do the job they were hired to do.