IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION

Richard wrote, "I checked references and got competitive bids from licensed contractors for a small remodel project. We've narrowed it down to two contractors, all things seeming equal. Question: Do we hire the hands-on owner/contractor who will be here with his guys during all of the work, OR, do we hire the larger company that has a supervisor who will drop in periodically to check on the progress of his workers?"

Richard has done the right things to find a qualified contractor, including asking questions. It's clear that he already asked the key question about how many projects the owner/contractor commits to at one time ("...who will be here with his guys during all of the work..."). The important words in Richard's question are "small remodel project".

What is a small project? It can be defined by the scope of the work and/or the homeowners' investment. Because Richard did not tell me whether it's an exterior or interior project, this article will relate to his investment. A small project is anything less than $20,000 total (or $30,000 in large cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, or Seattle, where labor rates and overhead are higher).

Richard could hire the larger company which will likely get his project finished sooner, but he will probably get better results by hiring the hands-on owner/contractor who specializes in smaller projects. The major difference between the two companies is communication. It's easier to communicate about your small project every day with the person who is going to be doing the work and supervising others. You don't have to wait for the supervisor to show up at the job site, or play phone tag with the supervisor if questions or problems come up.

Many of my clients have gotten great results with hands-on owner/contractors who work on one project at a time, and many clients achieved great results with large contracting firms that have several crews with project managers and roaming field supervisors. Statistically, it's a 50/50 split, with very few exceptions. The clients who had problems hired the wrong contractor for their project. Here’s Gertrude’s story:

Gertrude hired an owner/contractor to remodel her kitchen. It was a medium-size project, but Gene was in over his head from day one, because he had no employees, and told her that he would do 95% of the work himself, including electrical and plumbing, and manufacturing cabinets, to save her money (you’ve heard the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none”?). What should have been a 10-week project turned into a five-month fiasco that ended in an arbitration meeting in Gertrude’s unfinished kitchen.

It was during Gertrude’s project that I started formulating guidelines that ultimately became seminars, which led to the publication of my first book, “THE Survival Guide: Home Remodeling.” It is very important for you to hire the right contractor for the scope and size of your project, and your personal needs for communication. Everyone has individual communication style, and different requirements for being kept informed about their project.

Everything being equal, your decision about who to hire should be based on compatibility of personalities – communication styles -- because these people are going to be in your home for weeks (or months). If you decide to hire a large company for your remodeling (or building) project, you should meet not only the owner (or salesperson), but also the project manager and field supervisor who will be your main link of communication. Here are some tips to help you achieve great communication with people working on your project:

Establish communication expectations and ground rules with everyone very early in your project
Maintain a convenient notepad (or several small ones), so you can write down questions as they arise

Remember to date them
As they’re answered, check them off
Collect all of your questions in manila envelopes labeled “Answered” and “Unanswered” (remember to bring the “unanswered” questions to jobsite meetings, or include them in e-mail correspondence)

Schedule regular jobsite meetings with the contractor and/or project manager to:

Review progress
Answer questions
Discuss action items and deadlines

Send non-critical questions and updates between meetings by e-mail (confirm that everything has been resolved at the next jobsite meeting)
Call the contractor or project manager only as necessary, for critical or time-sensitive issues (remember to preface your first comment or question with, “Is this a convenient time for you?”)
Keep the project designer in the loop of communication, especially if there are changes to the project – even minor ones

You’re not a mind-reader, and neither is your designer, contractor, or project manager. It’s important to keep all lines of communication open and free-flowing, to ensure the best results for everyone involved in your project!

”Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding and mutual valuing.” Rollo May

In the White paper report I've prepared, "How To Establish A Preliminary Budget," there are examples of small, medium, and large projects, with budgetary parameters you can use as a guideline. It’s available for only $7.95 as an individual report (20% discount until July 15). If you order all of the five reports I’m offering below, you'll pay only $34.95, a 30% discount from the normal website order price of $9.95 each! Order today, to take advantage of this special offer that will save you more than ten times your investment – guaranteed!

Homeowner Survey:

Why you want to remodel

What you want to include

How to Establish a Preliminary Budget

How to Qualify a Contractor

How to Qualify a Design Professional

What’s Included in the Design Process

"Plesset's Principles for Today is Home" is YOUR personal information service, to help you make informed decisions about every aspect of your building or remodeling project. Send an e-mail today with your questions to: Q@dp-design.com

IN THIS ISSUE: IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION			Dear [dear] Hope that you had a great Fourth of July. We always stay home on this holiday, not because we’re hermits, but neither of us enjoys fighting traffic on precious days off – save that for weekdays! So we had a quiet weekend at home with our fur-persons, puttering around the house and garden (and working on my new book). We’ve got a big crop of thistles to uproot before they bloom. Last year, we didn’t mow them down until seeds developed -- hence, a bigger problem this year. Lesson learned: Take care of little problems before they grow into big problems. Immediately after the last issue of the newsletter was sent, I started to work on this issue, which was going to be about countertop alternatives, until I received a great question from a subscriber! Thank you, Richard, for your e-mail; and thank you for your nice comments, too. Look for the white paper report that I am sending you to show my appreciation. With Inspired Ideas for Your Home,
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		Plesset's Principles for Today's Home® IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION Richard wrote, "I checked references and got competitive bids from licensed contractors for a small remodel project. We've narrowed it down to two contractors, all things seeming equal. Question: Do we hire the hands-on owner/contractor who will be here with his guys during all of the work, OR, do we hire the larger company that has a supervisor who will drop in periodically to check on the progress of his workers?" Richard has done the right things to find a qualified contractor, including asking questions. It's clear that he already asked the key question about how many projects the owner/contractor commits to at one time ("...who will be here with his guys during all of the work..."). The important words in Richard's question are "small remodel project". What is a small project? It can be defined by the scope of the work and/or the homeowners' investment. Because Richard did not tell me whether it's an exterior or interior project, this article will relate to his investment. A small project is anything less than $20,000 total (or $30,000 in large cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, or Seattle, where labor rates and overhead are higher). Richard could hire the larger company which will likely get his project finished sooner, but he will probably get better results by hiring the hands-on owner/contractor who specializes in smaller projects. The major difference between the two companies is communication. It's easier to communicate about your small project every day with the person who is going to be doing the work and supervising others. You don't have to wait for the supervisor to show up at the job site, or play phone tag with the supervisor if questions or problems come up. Many of my clients have gotten great results with hands-on owner/contractors who work on one project at a time, and many clients achieved great results with large contracting firms that have several crews with project managers and roaming field supervisors. Statistically, it's a 50/50 split, with very few exceptions. The clients who had problems hired the wrong contractor for their project. Here’s Gertrude’s story: Gertrude hired an owner/contractor to remodel her kitchen. It was a medium-size project, but Gene was in over his head from day one, because he had no employees, and told her that he would do 95% of the work himself, including electrical and plumbing, and manufacturing cabinets, to save her money (you’ve heard the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none”?). What should have been a 10-week project turned into a five-month fiasco that ended in an arbitration meeting in Gertrude’s unfinished kitchen. It was during Gertrude’s project that I started formulating guidelines that ultimately became seminars, which led to the publication of my first book, “THE Survival Guide: Home Remodeling.” It is very important for you to hire the right contractor for the scope and size of your project, and your personal needs for communication. Everyone has individual communication style, and different requirements for being kept informed about their project. Everything being equal, your decision about who to hire should be based on compatibility of personalities – communication styles -- because these people are going to be in your home for weeks (or months). If you decide to hire a large company for your remodeling (or building) project, you should meet not only the owner (or salesperson), but also the project manager and field supervisor who will be your main link of communication. Here are some tips to help you achieve great communication with people working on your project: Establish communication expectations and ground rules with everyone very early in your project Maintain a convenient notepad (or several small ones), so you can write down questions as they arise Remember to date them As they’re answered, check them off Collect all of your questions in manila envelopes labeled “Answered” and “Unanswered” (remember to bring the “unanswered” questions to jobsite meetings, or include them in e-mail correspondence) Schedule regular jobsite meetings with the contractor and/or project manager to: Review progress Answer questions Discuss action items and deadlines Send non-critical questions and updates between meetings by e-mail (confirm that everything has been resolved at the next jobsite meeting) Call the contractor or project manager only as necessary, for critical or time-sensitive issues (remember to preface your first comment or question with, “Is this a convenient time for you?”) Keep the project designer in the loop of communication, especially if there are changes to the project – even minor ones You’re not a mind-reader, and neither is your designer, contractor, or project manager. It’s important to keep all lines of communication open and free-flowing, to ensure the best results for everyone involved in your project! ”Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding and mutual valuing.” Rollo May In the White paper report I've prepared, "How To Establish A Preliminary Budget," there are examples of small, medium, and large projects, with budgetary parameters you can use as a guideline. It’s available for only $7.95 as an individual report (20% discount until July 15). If you order all of the five reports I’m offering below, you'll pay only $34.95, a 30% discount from the normal website order price of $9.95 each! Order today, to take advantage of this special offer that will save you more than ten times your investment – guaranteed! Homeowner Survey: Why you want to remodel What you want to include How to Establish a Preliminary Budget How to Qualify a Contractor How to Qualify a Design Professional What’s Included in the Design Process "Plesset's Principles for Today is Home" is YOUR personal information service, to help you make informed decisions about every aspect of your building or remodeling project. Send an e-mail today with your questions to: Q@dp-design.com

		ABOUT DIANE Diane established D. P. Design in April of 1984, to help homeowners, like you, achieve the best building and remodeling experience with her personalized consulting, design services, seminars, books, and articles. She is a homeowner advocate, an award-winning designer and author, and former co-host of a weekly radio program. "Plesset's Principles for Today's Home®" is another avenue for Diane to express her passion for helping people, using her God-given talents, education, and experience to provide "Inspired Ideas for Your Home®". She is one of about 150 designers in the United States with multiple certifications as a Master Kitchen-Bath Designer, Interior Designer, and Aging-in-Place Specialist. She can help you achieve your building or remodeling goals. To request more information, visit Diane's website, or send an e-mail to Diane: Q@dp-design.com. You are welcome to share this newsletter. We request that you copy and paste it in its entirety, including Diane's bio.

		DIANE PLESSET, CMKBD, NCIDQ #13029, C.A.P.S. D. P. DESIGN P.O. Box 1132 Oregon City, OR. 97045 IF YOU WISH TO STOP RECEIVING THESE E-MAILS, REPLY WITH "UNSUBSCRIBE" IN THE SUBJECT LINE © 2009 D. P. Design - All Rights Reserved