Whether you’re building a new home or renovating your current one, creating a good relationship with your builder is the best way to ensure a stress-free project.
Here at Icon Homes, we know that quite often, the building process can be overwhelming and stressful, and that’s why we insist on fostering a strong relationship with all of our clients. By establishing clear communication channels, discussing expectations, and working through delays and changes together, we can make your new build a wonderful experience.
Here are our top tips for creating a good relationship with your builder to ensure that your building project is as pleasant and efficient as possible.
Set expectations from the start
This is the most crucial part of the building process. Sharing your expectations with your builder right at the beginning is the best way to build a good relationship. Your builder wants to do everything they can to build your dream home, so letting them know your understanding of the process will help them achieve it.
For example, you may have some expectations regarding your budget and the quality of materials used. Everything we use at Icon Homes is of the best quality, but we also cater to different budgets. For example, if you’re mindful of costs and a project within budget is one of your key expectations, your builder may suggest using synthetic rather than natural materials. Icon Homes is always here to help you, so let us know any expectations you have for your dream home project so we can make it happen.
Ensure you have a clear project plan before beginning work
It’s mighty tempting to dive into a project from the get-go. However, you need first to have your project plan set in stone.
A builder’s job is to listen to what you envision, provide solutions, and, using their experience, discuss budgets, materials, and other building specifics. A builder can let you know accurate timeframes for a project, avoiding issues later on.
Here at Icon Homes, we communicate the length of a building project and ensure that all our clients understand the critical touchpoints and processes.
Establish regular contact with your builder
Having a good relationship with your builder begins with good communication. This doesn’t mean being available 24/7 but instead means that you are quick to respond (within reason) and contactable. Being contactable is incredibly important throughout the project, but clear communication is critical.
There are some decisions that your builders need your approval on before they can continue working. If you’re unreachable for an extended period of time, your building schedule is delayed, pushing back all other work, and leaving you and your builder with a headache.
The best practice is to assign one member of your household as the point of contact, so there are no crossed wires. For large scale projects, consider scheduling a weekly or bi-weekly meeting to discuss progress any issues, changes, or delays. That way, you can prepare for anything that pops up, and everyone is on the same page.
Create a mood board of your vision for the project
Trying to explain the exact mood and style you want for your home is difficult at the best of times. Your builder trying to recreate what you want becomes tricky when you don’t know how to articulate the colour or style of a space.
The solution: a mood board or collage of what you want your new home to look like.
Showing your builder a mood board will help them to understand what direction you’d like to take the build in. Visual aids can help avoid miscommunication or confusion and help your builder suggest ways to achieve your vision.
Take some time to browse Pinterest or Instagram, and save any spaces that appeal to you. Don’t feel that you can only look at specific rooms or areas; you’re using these images as inspiration. For example, if you only have room for a shower and not a bath, you can still use images that show a bath if you like the room’s overall aesthetic.
You can always chat with Icon Homes if there’s something you’d love to have in your new home that isn’t part of our designs. We would love to customise and create the right space for your family.
Ready to begin your dream build project? Unsure of how to approach something with your builder? We would love to have a discussion. Reach out to us via the contact page, and we can begin helping you create your dream home.
