I was recently contacted by a client of another builder who was worried about the builders reaction to some information they had provided. This lady was concerned she has overstepped the boundary and was questioning how much information was too much to give. It prompted a great conversation between The Builder and I about understanding clients needs. Let me share a little.
When I first started working with The Builder, there was a fair amount of dissatisfaction around clients being heavily involved in their building process. There was fear around this making the process more difficult for the tradespeople or builder, and a large part was not ever having the perspective of being a client.
Most tradespeople have not been clients in the traditional sense. More often than not, tradespeople have mates that will help them with a job and therefor do not have that perspective in mind when understanding the clients needs. Having been a client of a builder prior to meeting my builder, I have been able to bring that perspective into our business, and help to cut away the fear around allowing clients to be as involved as they like.
Clients are investing a lot of money and trust into their chosen builder or tradesperson. They are trusting the the builder understands their dreams and is able to turn that understanding into exactly what is expected, but that in itself is the most difficult job of all.
This is where client interaction is of the upmost importance. I firmly believe that you cannot give too much information, and the information you do give is paramount to the builder or tradesperson meeting your expectations. The best advice I can give, is to be comfortable with the level of communication you are able to have with your builder or tradesperson before you sign the contract. This will enable your needs to be sufficiently meet during the building process.
Not all of us require large amounts of communication, but if you do, you will need to ensure your builder or tradesperson is able to meet that need. In short, give all the information you wish to, while it will not guarantee perfection, it will get you a great deal closer.
Are you big on communicating? What is your chosen way to communicate? Do you write letters anymore?
Nicole xxx
I think this it is so important to establish good channels of communication and as you say, before you sign the contract. For most people (clients), it’s a huge emotional and financial investment and it’s so important to know that everyone is on the same page ?
As a client I like to know ‘stuff’ but also ultimately let the tradesperson guide me as they know what’s best. So I’ll often ask advice. I’m also incredibly ignorant about that sort of stuff, so I’ll tell them that, tell them what I want and let them decide how best to do it.
As I’ve recently moved I’ve engaged some people for all sorts of stuff – including a handyman – and I’ve gone with friends’ suggestions and make sure the tradesperson knows that.
I’m big on communication and communicate best and more thoroughly in written form so I’m sure text and email would be my point of call! I’m about to embark on this actually but I don’t understand a lot so as long as I am confident they understand my wants I’ll probably be pretty hands off! #TeamIBOT
I think I am a good communicator but sometimes I’m inpatient and it kind of just dribbles out of me. Like I send one big email, then another smaller one of stuff I have forgotten and then three smaller again ones of things that come to me… OK perhaps not helpful! LOL
I’m big on communicating and prefer phone calls with a follow up email in these types of situations.
Out in the open is best in most instances I reckon!
[…] of us can learn from these questions. Some examples of this are Is a Deck Worth The Investment, and How Much Information Is Too Much Information For My Builder. Because we work in an industry where educating our client is part of the job we perform, I find my […]