Whether you’re planning a large kitchen addition, a detailed historic renovation or a small bathroom remodel, the key to a successful construction project is clear and open communication with your Main Line or Philadelphia remodeling contractor. From the design phase to punch list, there must be a constant dialogue between you, your contractor, and the entire team involved with bringing your project to fruition. A breakdown or lack of communication can affect every aspect of your remodel; but just what does successful communication really mean?
Even the most experienced contractor is not a mind reader, and the best clients are not always sure about how to make their needs understood. Establishing good communication from the get-go ensures a professional and friendly relationship that bodes well for your remodel. There are some clues you can look for before you even decide to work with a particular contractor as to whether communication will be a two-way street:
New tools and technology make it possible to communicate and oversee your project from wherever you are. But at Cottage Industries we think a personal touch matters far more than the latest software. In fact, we believe nothing replaces person to person communication. Emails and texts are efficient ways to keep in contact, but emotions, feelings, or thought processes are not always easy to decipher in the written word. Over the years, we’ve developed a communication process that we believe keeps everyone in the loop and avoids miscommunications that can delay or disrupt a project.
We also think it’s important for our homeowners to receive frequent updates on where their remodel stands. For example, at the end of any day you project manager will do a group text like: “Today the plumber came and he has this question, or tomorrow the electrician’s coming, or everything went smoothly today,” and so on. This also gives the client a digital trail they can refer to as needed.
The ability to regularly access emails and receive texts on mobile devices has made the remodeling process a bit quicker. By eliminating phone tag, questions are answered in a timelier manner, allowing work to move forward at a faster pace. Cell phone cameras let project managers take a quick shot of work in progress and ask for the homeowner’s feedback. Simple questions like “Do you like these two colors together?” or “Is this where you want the towel bar placed?” can all be made a little bit easier with photographs.
Here are four basic tips to keep in mind for communicating effectively with your Philadelphia remodeling contractor:
At Cottage Industries, we value and strive for open and effective communication with all our clients and truly believe it’s the only way to guarantee a successful remodel. We know that when our clients feel they are working with the right contractor, they have full access to all the information they need to make the right choices, and the reassurance that their best interests are always at the heart of every decision. Schedule a conversation with us today to learn more about all we offer.
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