One of the biggest misconceptions about the design/build process is that the worksite is filled with animosity between the builder, the trades and the designer. It’s not that this never occurs but it’s not as common as you may think. In fact, one of the reasons I love design is because of the relationships I have built with everyone involved in the process, particularly the builders.

A build or renovation project needs to have cooperation between everyone because there are a myriad of issues that arise. When there are shared goals it becomes exciting to collaborate on solutions. And as a homeowner you benefit most from this shared cooperation.

One of the best ways to keep the project moving forward is to have a complete understanding of what each team member requires. So what does a builder require from their clients? Let’s dive into the 5 things your builder wants you to know before your project begins.

HERE’S WHAT YOUR BUILDER WANTS YOU TO KNOW:

1/ Costs

One of the fastest ways to ruin a relationship with your building team is by not having a thorough understanding of the costs involved in your project. This can lead to resentment and feelings that you’ve been taken advantage of.

There are some trades who will take advantage but overall, your builder wants the best for you and is not trying to deceive you. 

You should always take it upon yourself to have a thorough understanding of what’s in your agreement. What materials are being quoted and are they aligned with the vision you have for your space?

For example, when selecting exterior finishes there will be a huge difference in cost between vinyl siding and fibre cement board. Same goes for countertop materials. Do you expect that your quote is for quartz or laminate? Again, there’s a big difference and while your builder may think laminate is perfectly acceptable, it may not be your idea of a dream kitchen. 

In the last 10 years we’ve seen increases in building costs that have taken us from $200 per square foot to doubling that as we now average $400 per square foot. Before you agree to anything, do your research so that you feel comfortable in understanding what materials cost. 

If you have a vision of what your finished space should look like, share that with your builder. Transparency on both ends as well as strong communication skills are the key to success. It may not be obvious to you that your builder is quoting builder-grade materials. If you see your space with high end finishes, be sure that you clearly relay that information. The budget can be modified before you move ahead and this will avoid any disruption once the project begins.  

Oftentimes when I meet with clients for the first time, they have no idea what building materials cost. Some are not aware of what the contractor has budgeted. I’ve had many disappointed clients over the years who realized that their builder budgeted for in-stock finishes when they were hoping for high-end materials. 

If you live in the city you may not be affected by this but it can become a problem in smaller centres. We have fewer choices and often clients have to upgrade to get what they want. 

Do as much research as you can ahead of time regarding pricing and quality. This will allow you to have your builder price accordingly. Know that the lowest bid isn’t always the best fit. Be sure you know what you’re getting for the price.   

2/ Timing

Those of us who work in this world sometimes forget that our clients aren’t as well versed in terms of timelines. If your builder (or designer) hasn’t had the conversation with you about this, take it upon yourself to ask for clarification. 

Timing is really everything when it comes to finishing a project on time but it’s not just related to labour. Decisions need to be made quickly to keep the flow moving well. It will be less stressful for you to have an understanding of what decisions need to be made and what the timelines are for those decisions.

3/  Zoning, Bylaws and Building Codes

This is a part of a project that can feel overwhelming to clients and sometimes lead to avoidance. Don’t allow those feelings to stop you from asking questions and becoming versed in what’s possible.

Even if you’ve built or renovated in the past, don’t assume that the building codes, zoning and bylaws that existed in the past are still current. Be sure you have an understanding around your project and how it aligns with local rules. 

Refer to your local government and city uses zoning and bylaws to determine property uses. Not being aware of the rules ahead of time could cause delays and rezoning headaches down the road. 

Here are a few questions to ask your local government/city.

1. What is the current zoning of my land?

2. Is my proposed building or renovation project allowed?

3. What you can build on the property and where?

I’ve seen a real-life example of this with a recent client. The clients owned a generational home on a local lake that was built in the 1960’s.  The home was a small cottage and the owners plan to retire there. The goal was to tear the house down and build something bigger. Most of the homes around this small lake are the same age and have been turning over to the younger generations. 

When the owners reached out to their builder they were advised to get in touch with their local zoning authority prior to having any house plan drawn. It’s always possible that there are new set-back requirements. What they discovered is that their lakefront home could no longer be built as close to the lake as their current home. These changes were implemented to protect the water quality.

Knowing this information ahead of time was beneficial to the owners. They scaled back the size of the house but had they not done this research they would have wasted time and money having house plans drawn only to have to start the process again. 

Seek advice from experts such as your general contractor, architect, engineer, and trades people ahead of time. Ask questions about particular ideas and possibilities and you’ll avoid disappointment and costly mistakes. 

4/  A Designer Brings a Benefit to the Project 

A designer is not just part of the team who helps you shop and decorate. We have a thorough understanding of the building process and the timelines involved in renovations and new construction. We can help keep you focused on timelines around the decisions that are coming up next. We also help you navigate the timelines around product and material deliveries. I’ve written more about the benefits of space planning with your designer and how this can save you money.

Contractors and trades want to focus on their jobs and the issues related to construction. They don’t want to be bogged down with helping clients make design decisions. 

In my role I see clients that are overwhelmed with all the decisions that need to be made. They’re also not fully aware of the process if this is their first project. Adding to the complications, they usually both have full-time jobs and are raising families. With all that’s required of them for their project to run smoothly, things can go south in a hurry. 

The biggest misconception around hiring a designer is that clients will have no say in the end result of how their home looks. Some think we’re there to make the decisions regardless of what they want.

Because of this, I’m often brought in after a project has begun because homeowners thought they could do it on their own. They quickly become overwhelmed at the number of decisions they need to make in a short amount of time and have no idea how to select finishes that coordinate together. 

It’s possible that you know what you like from time spent on Pinterest but then become overwhelmed with the logistics of putting it all together.  It’s worth considering this before you begin because you will be paying your designer the same amount whether they come aboard early or late. 

5/ Stick to the Plan 

We all understand that this is your home and it’s overwhelming to make decisions that will ultimately impact you for many years to come. When last minute changes are made there’s a trickle down effect. It can cause massive delays to a project to switch materials after the construction is underway. It can also add significant costs to your project.

Even seemingly insignificant changes like paint colours, an additional light fixture or additional cabinetry can impact the scope of work. The best advice is to work with your designer early in the project to come up with a plan that you feel confident moving forward with. And try to avoid the temptation of flip flopping because you’ve seen something new. 

If you’re getting ready to begin your own renovation or build and have been considering bringing in a designer, reach out and let’s talk. I can go over the entire process with you and answer any questions you might be having.

Warm regards,

Adrienne