How to Create Synergy Between Designers and Builders
In this webinar from KBIS 2021, a designer and a home builder share tips for creating a home remodeling dream team
When you run an interior design business or a home building company, many projects will require you to work hand in hand with other pros across the home remodeling spectrum. Creating a strong working relationship, or synergy, among all parties involved is often the key to a successful remodeling project.
As part of this year’s virtual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, Reisa Elden of Houzz sat down with designer Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs in Dallas and home builder Andrew Patterson of Patterson Custom Homes in Newport Beach, California, to discuss strategies for making partnerships succeed. Read the highlights below, and watch the webinar.
As part of this year’s virtual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, Reisa Elden of Houzz sat down with designer Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs in Dallas and home builder Andrew Patterson of Patterson Custom Homes in Newport Beach, California, to discuss strategies for making partnerships succeed. Read the highlights below, and watch the webinar.
1. Set Expectations From Day One
When Patterson begins a home building project, he brings the interior designer into the process as early as possible. “They help determine what the overall look of the house will be,” he says. “I’m starting with a set of plans, but if I don’t have a full picture of the finished project, that’s how it can go off the rails.”
Patterson creates a detailed list of all the decisions an interior designer will have to make for his team and when they need to be made. “I need to know the size of the appliances in order to make the custom cabinets fit, which will then need to line up with the window and door frames,” he says. “People are often amazed by how everything fits like a glove. But that’s not luck, it’s because we have a detailed process.”
Setting expectations and defining the work process is vital for Curtis as well. “We always create a detailed service agreement with contractors we work with,” she says. “It outlines our expectations and covers seemingly small details, like where do you leave your tools at the end of the day? When you have clients living at home during a remodel, those little details make a big difference and avoid problems down the road.”
Learn about Houzz Pro’s project management tools
When Patterson begins a home building project, he brings the interior designer into the process as early as possible. “They help determine what the overall look of the house will be,” he says. “I’m starting with a set of plans, but if I don’t have a full picture of the finished project, that’s how it can go off the rails.”
Patterson creates a detailed list of all the decisions an interior designer will have to make for his team and when they need to be made. “I need to know the size of the appliances in order to make the custom cabinets fit, which will then need to line up with the window and door frames,” he says. “People are often amazed by how everything fits like a glove. But that’s not luck, it’s because we have a detailed process.”
Setting expectations and defining the work process is vital for Curtis as well. “We always create a detailed service agreement with contractors we work with,” she says. “It outlines our expectations and covers seemingly small details, like where do you leave your tools at the end of the day? When you have clients living at home during a remodel, those little details make a big difference and avoid problems down the road.”
Learn about Houzz Pro’s project management tools
2. Establish Clear Lines of Communication
Establishing and maintaining clear lines of communication among all home professionals and clients on a project is essential.
“Once the team is established, I like everything to go through me or a designated coordinator,” Patterson says. “I’d rather own every problem than waste everyone’s time looking for an email about who said this on this day.”
Having a coordinator that leads communication among all parties keeps everyone on the same page. “This creates a place for a client to go to for a problem instead of dealing with every individual working on the project,” Patterson says.
Curtis agrees that having one point of communication is important. “If you don’t have it, information can go missing,” she says. “Everything goes through one channel so it’s documented and easy to access.”
If Curtis or a designer on her team has a phone call with a client or home professional, they write an email recap of the conversation afterward so there’s a record of what was discussed and agreed upon.
Houzz Pro can help you track your communication so you have a central record of what’s been agreed to, as well as all your notes. You can also share photos and files with clients using Houzz Pro and send proposals, mood boards and more.
Establishing and maintaining clear lines of communication among all home professionals and clients on a project is essential.
“Once the team is established, I like everything to go through me or a designated coordinator,” Patterson says. “I’d rather own every problem than waste everyone’s time looking for an email about who said this on this day.”
Having a coordinator that leads communication among all parties keeps everyone on the same page. “This creates a place for a client to go to for a problem instead of dealing with every individual working on the project,” Patterson says.
Curtis agrees that having one point of communication is important. “If you don’t have it, information can go missing,” she says. “Everything goes through one channel so it’s documented and easy to access.”
If Curtis or a designer on her team has a phone call with a client or home professional, they write an email recap of the conversation afterward so there’s a record of what was discussed and agreed upon.
Houzz Pro can help you track your communication so you have a central record of what’s been agreed to, as well as all your notes. You can also share photos and files with clients using Houzz Pro and send proposals, mood boards and more.
3. Schedule Frequent Meetings and Recaps
Patterson has a site meeting every two weeks for all his projects. “I’m always there, the interior designer is there, the project manager is there, the lead contractor is there and the clients are required to be there,” he says. “We get a lot done, and immediately afterward we have all of the site notes distributed and then ask if anyone has any questions. Once everything is agreed upon, it’s put into production — it keeps a project on track.”
Curtis prefers daily and weekly recaps. “It might sound like a lot, but our contractor is usually on-site every day, so they will be sending us photos, videos and notes that we put into a daily email,” she says. “And then at the end of the week, we establish a fresh timeline for the coming week. Things can often shift or adjust on a project, so keeping everyone in the loop can reduce disasters and disappointment.”
Patterson has a site meeting every two weeks for all his projects. “I’m always there, the interior designer is there, the project manager is there, the lead contractor is there and the clients are required to be there,” he says. “We get a lot done, and immediately afterward we have all of the site notes distributed and then ask if anyone has any questions. Once everything is agreed upon, it’s put into production — it keeps a project on track.”
Curtis prefers daily and weekly recaps. “It might sound like a lot, but our contractor is usually on-site every day, so they will be sending us photos, videos and notes that we put into a daily email,” she says. “And then at the end of the week, we establish a fresh timeline for the coming week. Things can often shift or adjust on a project, so keeping everyone in the loop can reduce disasters and disappointment.”
To learn more about creating a synergistic remodeling team, watch the webinar.
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More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
- Setting detailed expectations from the start of the project
- Establishing and maintaining clear lines of communication
- Scheduling frequent meetings and recaps of work progress
Creating an atmosphere of teamwork also is key to a successful project. “I only want to work with people who check their attitudes at the door,” Patterson says. “It takes a team to build a great house.”Curtis agrees. “It’s a team effort and it’s so much more enjoyable when you’re working with people who really care about their jobs and their work,” she says.
Read on for more about their strategies.