Designers Share 4 Ways Builders Can Help Deliver Great Work
Architects and interior designers on Houzz offer tips on how contractors can help residential projects run smoothly
Remodeling a home is a team effort. One professional’s work depends on the other. When everyone is fulfilling their roles, it leads to a stellar project and a satisfied client. We spoke with interior designers, architects and builders about how each pro type can support the others during projects and what they look for in team members.
Here, interior designers and architects share four ways construction pros can help them make projects run smoother and deliver good work for homeowners. Read on to see their tips and advice.
Here, interior designers and architects share four ways construction pros can help them make projects run smoother and deliver good work for homeowners. Read on to see their tips and advice.
“We want contractors to know that our primary role as interior designers is to imagine the overall design, feel, flow, light and usability of an environment,” Turner says. “We develop the design plans and specify the design elements such as materials, textiles, surfaces, finishes and products to be installed. We tend to want to have as much control over the final finished product as possible; therefore, it’s paramount that the contractor understands that we rely heavily on their capacity as skilled craftspeople to actualize our vision into a functional and beautifully built or renovated surrounding that meets or exceeds the needs of our clients.”
Residential building designer Jennie Leigh Jones wants contractors to know that “we aren’t against you,” she says. “We consider ourselves a team: you, us and the homeowner.” She encourages her project team members to speak openly and honestly but also to be willing to listen to others. Ultimately, she says, everyone wants a pleasant work experience and to walk away from projects with good professional relationships.
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Residential building designer Jennie Leigh Jones wants contractors to know that “we aren’t against you,” she says. “We consider ourselves a team: you, us and the homeowner.” She encourages her project team members to speak openly and honestly but also to be willing to listen to others. Ultimately, she says, everyone wants a pleasant work experience and to walk away from projects with good professional relationships.
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Design pros say home projects require good collaboration among the contractor, architect or designer and client in order to be successful. Interior designer Tamara Marie says it’s in everyone’s best interest to work together. “We are here to surprise and delight [the homeowner],” she says. “Sometimes our contractors need our support with that.”
It may be helpful to encourage clients to select a builder during the design phase. “We always advocate for having the contractor join the team very early in the process,” says Jonathan P. Kukk, architect and president of Kukk Architecture & Design. “Early budgeting, even during the schematic phase, can help the team stay on track.”
It may be helpful to encourage clients to select a builder during the design phase. “We always advocate for having the contractor join the team very early in the process,” says Jonathan P. Kukk, architect and president of Kukk Architecture & Design. “Early budgeting, even during the schematic phase, can help the team stay on track.”
“We include the contractor during our design meetings to discuss constructability and materials input,” says Dan Nelson, principal architect of Designs Northwest Architects. “My goal is to encourage the contractor to have a personal stake in the project while maintaining design intent.”
According to architects and interior designers, home builders can support them by taking the time to understand how they work and lean on their expertise — and vice versa. “[For example], a number of our projects involve designing homes in environmentally challenging locations, including steep or unstable slopes, wetlands, archaeological issues as well as the threat of wildfires,” Nelson says. “I prefer to work with contractors who trust that the architect has designed the project specifically to the site, lifestyle and aesthetic that the client desires.”
According to architects and interior designers, home builders can support them by taking the time to understand how they work and lean on their expertise — and vice versa. “[For example], a number of our projects involve designing homes in environmentally challenging locations, including steep or unstable slopes, wetlands, archaeological issues as well as the threat of wildfires,” Nelson says. “I prefer to work with contractors who trust that the architect has designed the project specifically to the site, lifestyle and aesthetic that the client desires.”
Turner says sometimes the design team will source some items or materials on behalf of the client and the contractor will be responsible for purchasing others. “But we have also been engaged in projects, particularly out-of-state jobs, where the general contractor manages the entire project and we are engaged on a design consultation basis during the construction phase,” she says.
Turner also wants builders to know that there may be situations where the designer or architect will need to bring in their own tradespeople to build the proposed design. “For example, specific items such as luxury custom hand-painted wallpaper, specialty architectural surface materials, custom plaster moldings, or even custom cabinetry millwork may require a specialized installation,” she says. Maintaining a team player attitude can be the best course of action in these situations.
Turner also wants builders to know that there may be situations where the designer or architect will need to bring in their own tradespeople to build the proposed design. “For example, specific items such as luxury custom hand-painted wallpaper, specialty architectural surface materials, custom plaster moldings, or even custom cabinetry millwork may require a specialized installation,” she says. Maintaining a team player attitude can be the best course of action in these situations.
2. Be Proactive and Thorough
Architects and interior designers say it’s important for construction pros to be detailed, organized and transparent from beginning to end. “The more detail provided [by contractors], the less chance for issues to arise in the future,” says Lee Melahn, interior and furniture designer at Pleasant Living. When builders are preparing to submit bids for new projects, Melahn says, they should pay extra attention to the details. “The more complete the bid is, the fewer chances the contractor will end up swallowing something they didn’t think they were responsible for and a lower possibility of the client not getting what they thought they [would] get,” he says.
Architects and interior designers say it’s important for construction pros to be detailed, organized and transparent from beginning to end. “The more detail provided [by contractors], the less chance for issues to arise in the future,” says Lee Melahn, interior and furniture designer at Pleasant Living. When builders are preparing to submit bids for new projects, Melahn says, they should pay extra attention to the details. “The more complete the bid is, the fewer chances the contractor will end up swallowing something they didn’t think they were responsible for and a lower possibility of the client not getting what they thought they [would] get,” he says.
When it comes to providing proposals and estimates, interior and lighting designer Linda Allen believes contractors need to account for as much as possible in the beginning, without multiple addendums. And other design pros agree. “If the general contractor and other tradespeople can furnish estimates upfront regarding their services, this makes it easier for both the designer and the client to understand and manage project expectations from a financial viewpoint,” Turner says. This can help keep the project on schedule and it may dampen homeowners’ frustrations about costs.
Architect Nelson advocates that builders provide all project stakeholders with timeline and estimate updates as the project progresses so everyone stays in the loop.
Houzz Pro software can help designers and remodelers do just that. The Timeline tool, for example, lets you map out project schedules, visually track your progress and communicate plans with team members and clients. With Houzz Pro, you can also create and share proposals, takeoffs and estimates to help you win more bids.
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Architect Nelson advocates that builders provide all project stakeholders with timeline and estimate updates as the project progresses so everyone stays in the loop.
Houzz Pro software can help designers and remodelers do just that. The Timeline tool, for example, lets you map out project schedules, visually track your progress and communicate plans with team members and clients. With Houzz Pro, you can also create and share proposals, takeoffs and estimates to help you win more bids.
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Design pros also say they appreciate it when builders welcome a creative challenge and think outside the box. “Be proactive in creating an environment of ‘Here’s what we can do!’ rather than ‘No, you can’t have that,’” Jones says. “I love working with a contractor who says [something like] ‘OK. I see the look, style or vision you have and it will cost X amount of dollars, but have you ever thought about doing this, [or that], to still accomplish the look, but for a little less cost?’”
It’s easy to work with trustworthy and dependable contractors, designers and architects say. Allen, for example, encourages construction pros to be accountable for time. “Be there when you say you’re going to be there,” she says. Project team members need to know they can trust your word. This can especially come into play when contractors are procuring materials for projects.
“Another way contractors can help designers is to make sure to order things on time,” says Madeleine Sloback, principal of Madeleine Design Group. “We’re so used to commonly respecifying things now because of additional delays seen in the industry. Having the contractor review the specifications package at the beginning of a project and knowing what [items] will have longer lead times, prior to it being too late, saves time and money for the client in the long run. It also saves us the hassle of having to respecify and go back to the drawing board.”
“Another way contractors can help designers is to make sure to order things on time,” says Madeleine Sloback, principal of Madeleine Design Group. “We’re so used to commonly respecifying things now because of additional delays seen in the industry. Having the contractor review the specifications package at the beginning of a project and knowing what [items] will have longer lead times, prior to it being too late, saves time and money for the client in the long run. It also saves us the hassle of having to respecify and go back to the drawing board.”
3. Stick to the Plans and Budget
Designers say construction pros should do their best to stick to the team’s agreed-upon plans. “It’s frustrating to see the designs and details get modified or misinterpreted during the construction phase,” says Christopher Short, owner and principal architect of Haus.
Melahn agrees. Always be open to asking questions before you tackle a problem solo. “There’s nothing more frustrating than walking into a construction site and finding an unexpected revision done without having been consulted or informed,” Melahn says.
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Designers say construction pros should do their best to stick to the team’s agreed-upon plans. “It’s frustrating to see the designs and details get modified or misinterpreted during the construction phase,” says Christopher Short, owner and principal architect of Haus.
Melahn agrees. Always be open to asking questions before you tackle a problem solo. “There’s nothing more frustrating than walking into a construction site and finding an unexpected revision done without having been consulted or informed,” Melahn says.
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When it comes to renovation costs, architects and designers urge builders to stay on budget. “Contractors need to do a good job budgeting the work, then work hard to follow the design drawings and details,” Short says. “If something cannot be built as designed and indicated on drawings, please review with the design team before changing it.”
Allen supports using value-engineered construction methods if a project is inching over the client’s ideal budget. Just make sure to get approval from the designer and homeowner first.
Interior designers and architects can help contractors by altering design elements to make them more cost-effective. “Offer suggestions on ways [the builder] can shave the project to make it fit within their budget,” Jones says. “For example, change hidden beams to underslung or exposed [and] custom cabinets to semicustom. Consider different finishes: brick to siding, hardwood to LVP [or] metal roof to shingled.
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Allen supports using value-engineered construction methods if a project is inching over the client’s ideal budget. Just make sure to get approval from the designer and homeowner first.
Interior designers and architects can help contractors by altering design elements to make them more cost-effective. “Offer suggestions on ways [the builder] can shave the project to make it fit within their budget,” Jones says. “For example, change hidden beams to underslung or exposed [and] custom cabinets to semicustom. Consider different finishes: brick to siding, hardwood to LVP [or] metal roof to shingled.
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4. Understand the Designer’s Role as an Intermediary
Design pros want builders to understand the architect’s or interior designer’s role as an intermediary between them and the homeowner. “Contractors need to know that an interior designer’s [role is to] advocate for both the contractor and the client,” Melahn says. “We are the middlemen in the contractor-client relationship. We are neither promoter nor adversary for either, but there to make sure the project is delivered as expected and that any new requests or hidden problems are resolved amicably.”
Design pros want builders to understand the architect’s or interior designer’s role as an intermediary between them and the homeowner. “Contractors need to know that an interior designer’s [role is to] advocate for both the contractor and the client,” Melahn says. “We are the middlemen in the contractor-client relationship. We are neither promoter nor adversary for either, but there to make sure the project is delivered as expected and that any new requests or hidden problems are resolved amicably.”
Embracing this dynamic can help design pros keep projects rolling. “Let us be the bad guy when it comes to delivering expensive or bad news [to the client],” Jones says. “Let us be the liaison between you and the homeowner, [especially] when it will help you solve a conflict or sort through options. Not because we know best, but because we can most often mitigate any emotions that might cloud or inflame the argument or decision from the client’s side. We can be the negotiator who can unbiasedly explain and voice your concerns as a builder while also counter-relaying the homeowner’s worries or issues.”
Coming: Builders share ways designers can help them deliver stellar work.
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Coming: Builders share ways designers can help them deliver stellar work.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
When working on projects large or small, respect and good communication are key. Interior designer Keita Turner says establishing a clear protocol for communicating with project team members is also important. This can help everyone understand project goals, how to resolve problems when they arise and minimize mistakes or unwanted surprises such as last-minute change orders.
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