Building a Project Team - Selecting Your Advocates With a Common Goal, By Brooklyn

“I’ve never done this before, and I just don’t know where to start, what I need, or who I need to be working with.” You’re not alone. In fact, the majority of our clients have never done a large home renovation or new construction project before and that’s why we know that having the right team of professionals is what will “make or break” your project. I hate to say it but every construction project is going to have its fair share of headaches, from permitting delays to discovering “treasures” found during excavation, there will inevitably be events that don’t go to plan. The best way we’ve found to survive these unexpected road bumps is to have a team that is collectively focused on one goal - getting you into the home of your dreams. 

The key players in any construction project are the Owner, Architect, and Contractor. Other professionals will provide support to such as framers, structural engineers, and interior designers, but getting that base team on board and on the same page will set the tone for everyone else along the way. As you interview candidates and make selections, here are a few of our recommendations:

Solution Oriented
Hopefully, the goal of everyone working on your project is that you get the house of your dreams on time and on budget. When the team keeps this primary goal in mind, collaboration is inevitable. We have of course seen that some people can be more concerned with making themselves look good than being team players. Often that shows up as spending a lot of time trying to determine who is at fault when things go wrong. Rarely have we seen finding out who is responsible as the key to a solution. If the team can focus on the next steps, what do we need to do to correct the situation, make a new game plan, and execute that well, then the project wins. Things move forward without time wasted on blaming someone for errors, or worse, saying “it’s not my problem - I didn’t make that mistake.” When we’re all on the same team, we’re all responsible for creating a solution to get the job done.

Open to Collaboration
The professionals you choose to work with should be experts in their field, but also recognize that in building, there are different specialties, and therefore each professional will have a unique perspective and priority. When you have designers, builders, and engineers who come to the table with mutual respect, they can solve problems in more creative ways by using each other’s strengths. For example, if you’re looking at a ceiling condition where a wood beam exists - the architect and owner may want this beam raised to create a flush ceiling, an engineer may want it dropped to allow for ductwork, and the structural engineer may come to the table with ideas to change the material and reduce size of the beam in a way that all parties can be accommodated. Without collaborative discussion, you could miss out on an ideal solution in favor of meeting just one player’s needs.

Easy to Talk To
This one seems to get overlooked easily. Often the primary factors used to select a builder are their competency and cost. Especially when we consider residential build projects, I always encourage our clients to consider the relational aspect of the project and that this individual or team will be in your home working closely with you for several months. When selecting a contractor (or architect for that matter), you want to know that they will be able to listen to your feedback and adjust accordingly. You want to see how they’re willing to explain their fee schedules and billing to you in  a way that you can understand, that they take time to explain the full process to you including what’s needed from you, and what you can expect from them along the way. Also, you want to be sure when there is something you don’t feel is done correctly, or that you dislike, you feel comfortable enough with them to bring it up and have it fixed. For some homeowners, these conversations are easier than for others. Communication is a huge factor in any project, so making sure that will go smoothly is key.

Trustworthy
Last but never least, trusting your team is critical. Read reviews, ask past clients about their experiences, and trust your gut. This team will be with you for months, or possibly years to come. Use all the tools at your disposal so that you feel confident with the professionals you hire and trust that they will guide you through from design to move-in day with your best interest at heart. Hopefully the project will be a success for everyone and you can save your neighbors some time by referring them to the professionals you now know and love. 

Cheers to a successful project!