This is the 15th post in our What To Expect from Your Architect series in which we document the process of Working with an Architect. We are following the progress of our contemporary house project in Lake Wylie, South Carolina and sharing our stories with you here on the blog…
Today post gives you a little more information on why we have delayed our latest update for a few weeks… Let’s just say we were looking for the right solution!
All on the Same Page
We are working with 2 different contractors in 2 different parts of the country who are both awesome in my book. (and you know architects aren’t exactly known for speaking highly of contractors if they don’t REALLY deserve it.)
One group we’ve been working with for years and trust them completely – I value their work of course, but I value their input on materials, techniques and cost savings or spending as well. Having worked with them on previous projects, I’ve learned I can truly trust their suggestions as I know they have our best interests in mind. This is the kind of relationship we are hoping to have on all of our projects.
The second contractor is a new “partner” for us. We actually were having a hard time finding the right team for this project and so I was very honest with this group when we met. I told them our clients are not difficult at all, but they are getting ready to build their dream home and they do expect some attention. My clients wouldn’t actually say it that way, but I watched their frustration with the prior builder’s lack of, or in some cases, mis-communication and needed to make sure we were all on the same page from the start.
This gets me into what should be a separate post about the value of having an architect as part of your team, especially when problems arise…but I’m not sure I want to focus so much on the problems. Not because I want to pretend they don’t happen. They don’t happen often, but they do happen. And having someone you trust guiding you through solutions is something that should not be underestimated. Your architect is your advocate. Most “issues” come up during construction, and yes, “helpful” is an understatement for having an architect by your side problem-solving with you. … but when things go wrong with the contractor before construction even begins …
When Problems Arise…
I could see that my clients thought they were stuck and that the things that were happening were just “normal” – after all, we don’t always hear perfect stories about client/contractor relationships… No. It does NOT have to be that way. The last thing any client should have to experience is feeling neglected or that they are never the priority. Even the smallest project should be the priority at some point – and this project is not a small one! It was a difficult decision – my clients are not ones to walk away from anything. Plus there was money at stake. But this situation was only getting worse, and they were extremely unhappy.
There is Always a Solution
Building your home is supposed to be fun! Sure, there will be difficult decisions and situations that need to be talked through and sorted out… but overall it should be a very positive and exciting experience.
A few days after one of our first meetings the new contractors sent out an email titled “Quick Update” which was exactly that: a few short sentences telling all of us what they were up to, who they were meeting with next and when they would have more information for us. Simple and oh, so effective! Both of my clients responded separately with, “Thanks for the update!” and ” We really appreciate the updates. It is very nice to know where we are and where we are headed.”
Happy clients. All the difference!
Our clients are why we do this…right? I chose to be a residential architect. I love working with my clients, and I love seeing their excitement as we go through the process of designing and building their home. Having the right team in place – with happy clients as our common goal – makes all the difference!
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