We know that the build phase of your project can be both exciting and challenging. To ensure a smooth and successful experience, effective communication and collaboration with your contractor is crucial. This guide will help you navigate this process and build a positive partnership.
1. Establish open communication channels
Agree your preferred method of communication with your contractor. Some people like to have in-person meetings, others like to use WhatsApp or emails. Encourage open dialogue to share your ideas, preferences and any concerns you may have. Likewise, be receptive to your contractor’s insights and recommendations. Wherever possible, communicate directly with your contractor rather than via their team. This avoids any confusion and ensures there is clear accountability for what happens on site.
2. Set clear expectations
Clearly define your goals and expectations for the project from the outset. All the documents in your Beams project dashboard (which your contractor also has access to) will help here. In particular, discuss the timeline with your contractor, both at the outset and throughout the renovation. Remember, unexpected things may crop up which might impact your timeline. To avoid any nasty surprises, it’s important to have a frequent conversation with your contractor about how the timeline is progressing and to work together to find suitable solutions.
3. Respect the work environment
Understand that your home is now a construction site. Our contractors are vetted for their cleanliness and empathy towards our homeowners but please be patient with the mess and noise, which is sometimes unavoidable, and communicate any specific sensitivities or preferences regarding work hours to your contractor. It goes without saying but please ensure that pets and children are kept safe during any construction activities.
4. Raise any issues with your contractor first
In the event of minor concerns, address them directly with your contractor. Open
communication can often resolve issues quickly. If you encounter more significant challenges that cannot be resolved directly with your contractor, please don't hesitate to message your Beams support team through hello@beamsrenovation.com. We're here to help throughout the entire process. If necessary, we can jump on a call with both you and your contractor and help you find a suitable way forward.
5. Celebrate milestones
Acknowledge and celebrate project milestones. It's an excellent way to boost
morale and show appreciation for the hard work put in by your contractors. A simple “thank you” goes a long way. Express your gratitude for a job well done, and please leave a positive review on our Trustpilot page if you're satisfied with the outcome. We’ll make sure it gets passed on to your contractor.
6. Give regular feedback
Positive reinforcement motivates the team on site, while constructive feedback
helps improve the quality of work. Your team at Beams is always on hand to provide you with advice on what we consider high quality work. And our review of the regular build milestones should give you reassurance that the build will not progress unless we’re satisfied at each step. We also encourage you to provide regular feedback via the Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys we send you throughout the build. We monitor the responses carefully. This is an additional source of vital feedback and an opportunity for us to intervene if you are not happy for any reason.
Once the project is nearing completion, there will be a final walkthrough with your contractor. Address any remaining concerns and ensure that the work meets your expectations. By fostering open communication, setting clear expectations, and maintaining a collaborative spirit, you'll contribute to a positive working relationship with your contractor. Remember, we're here to support you at every step, so don't hesitate to contact us if you need assistance or have any concerns.
Happy renovating!