The Importance of Constant Communication

          When I am building onto a property which is owned by another it is important to keep them informed. It is unwise to assume that they understand what you’re doing just because they can see the progress. Also, as the framing comes together, they will be able to see the rooms relationship with each other more clearly. As this begins to happen ask questions of them such as where would you like to hang you TV? By doing so you can add blocking which will better support the TV. Show them why some windows need curtain while others do not. Show them the blocking for the cabinetry and ask if they have any free-standing furnishings, they are going to have in the project area which may need backing support.

When many homeowners see their new area come together, they wish minor thing were different. Thing’s like the door swing is backward. When asked if you can change this, I recommend to answer that you’ll ask the architect. This remind them that you do not make these decisions because you are not the designer. This act helps keep a since of professionalism intact, and eliminate a lot of small frivolous changes on whims.

While you and the home owner are discussing the issue, you should take the moment to explain what else the change will affect.  The swing of the door will affect the positioning of the light switch. The moving of a wall’s placement may affect the barring of other framing members such as ceiling joist. Doing so helps reassure the owners they have fired a knowledgeable person and that the person hired is building as though they were going to live or own the project.

It is important to communicate with the architect so they can keep records on their set of drawings. Sometimes the person you’re building for will brag about you to the friends and families and they will give them your contact information. When these potential clients contact you do not sell them on the plans as original explain the subtle changes that were made to the plans and why. It is easier building a second like another if too much time between them hasn’t elapsed.

Good communication is vital but too much information can be dangerous. They are not trade professional and do not understand every detail of the building process. They do not need to inspect every facet of your workmanship. I do not permit my clients to do dangerous things such as walking on the roofs sheeting to count the nails or come into the area where I am using the powder actuated tool to nail down the plate of fasten a wood member to block or steel. Just because things appear safe because we are use to them doesn’t mean they are safe for the project’s owner. You are the professional and have the needed training hopefully, they do not and may need to be reminded of that. Explain the reasoning for your caution explain that your insurance would drop your coverage, or that the risk is too great. The reassure them the building inspect would not sigh off the roofs sheeting without inspecting the nailing of the sheeting. Remind them of your professional approach to the building process, but do not allow them to endanger themselves. I do not allow others to simply use my tools. A warm-drive saw is a great tool with the proper training but it does not function as a skill saw. The blades are in different positions and the kick back is different. If they need something cut, I cut it for them within reason. But remember constant communication is not telling these others everything you know or observe.

Note: Images on this blog site are from a free source or taken by the author. No image or group of photos is intended to represent the people the author serves. The author does not care about Race (that is a politically correct term that he does not like because we are all of the same Race, the Human Race. He prefers the term ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender, marital status, disability, genetic information, national origin, source of income, Veteran or military status, ancestry, citizenship, primary language or immigration status.) He is a service provider for all people. We will all rise together when we band together and help one another. Joseph Erwin is a Real Estate Broker, DRE # O2131799, and a CA general contractor # B 696662. He’s a member of the CRMLS and The East Valley Association of Realtors located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California.