Builders Share Ways Designers Can Help Them Deliver Great Work
Contractors on Houzz offer tips on how architects and interior designers can help residential projects run smoothly
General contractors, architects and interior designers are essential to creating beautiful spaces for homeowners. When all three pro types collaborate and communicate effectively, the process can be both smooth and — dare we say it — a pleasure for all involved. Success hinges on mutual respect and all parties being clear about their needs and expectations.
To get one perspective, we asked builders and remodeling pros to share some of the ways architects and interior designers can support them on residential projects. Read on to see their advice. Then, in the Comments, share your best tips for working hand in hand with other home pros.
To get one perspective, we asked builders and remodeling pros to share some of the ways architects and interior designers can support them on residential projects. Read on to see their advice. Then, in the Comments, share your best tips for working hand in hand with other home pros.
Daniel Steinkoler, president of Superior Construction Services in Washington, D.C., was reminded of the value of those relationships as the owner and builder-general manager of a new home on Bald Head Island in North Carolina.
“I was unable to be on-site full time as I live and work in the D.C. area,” he says. “Peter Quinn, the architect of record as well as island resident and mayor of Bald Head, would stop by the job site on a regular basis and call me with ideas on additional trim details or other pertinent information about our project. Peter went above and beyond the scope of his services to fill in for me when it was just impossible for me to physically be on-site. Whereas I did have a part-time [project manager], Peter helped fill the gaps at critical points.”
“I was unable to be on-site full time as I live and work in the D.C. area,” he says. “Peter Quinn, the architect of record as well as island resident and mayor of Bald Head, would stop by the job site on a regular basis and call me with ideas on additional trim details or other pertinent information about our project. Peter went above and beyond the scope of his services to fill in for me when it was just impossible for me to physically be on-site. Whereas I did have a part-time [project manager], Peter helped fill the gaps at critical points.”
Involve Builders From the Start
Bringing in contractors during the planning and design phases of a project can benefit all stakeholders, says Sean Conniff, vice president of Conniff Construction in Whiting, New Jersey. Contractors are able to weigh in on the plans earlier and, in turn, help the entire process run smoothly.
Learn about Houzz Pro project management and communication tools
Bringing in contractors during the planning and design phases of a project can benefit all stakeholders, says Sean Conniff, vice president of Conniff Construction in Whiting, New Jersey. Contractors are able to weigh in on the plans earlier and, in turn, help the entire process run smoothly.
Learn about Houzz Pro project management and communication tools
Other pros agree, including Samantha Grose, who, as owner and principal designer of design-build firm Oak & Arrow Homes in Edina, Minnesota, sees both perspectives.
“We do both, so we are intimately close to what is helpful from both sides of the process,” Grose says. “[W]e bring our team — subs and specialties — through the space early so we can get their feedback and questions on the plans before we are at the final step. It makes the process far more collaborative and gets everyone thinking with a team mentality.”
“We do both, so we are intimately close to what is helpful from both sides of the process,” Grose says. “[W]e bring our team — subs and specialties — through the space early so we can get their feedback and questions on the plans before we are at the final step. It makes the process far more collaborative and gets everyone thinking with a team mentality.”
One delicate subject that builders say needs to be discussed early on is money.
“All too often I see clients with a completed set of plans and a belief they can get it done for a price far below actual construction cost,” Bittner says.
Guy Mechetner, CEO of Goldenline Remodeling in West Hollywood, California, concurs and adds that projects are less stressful when design pros create detailed plans and proposals that stay within budget.
Construction prices fluctuate, so it’s hard for those who aren’t on the front lines to know accurate pricing, Bittner says. Involving a general contractor early helps keep everyone’s expectations realistic and the project moving forward.
“All too often I see clients with a completed set of plans and a belief they can get it done for a price far below actual construction cost,” Bittner says.
Guy Mechetner, CEO of Goldenline Remodeling in West Hollywood, California, concurs and adds that projects are less stressful when design pros create detailed plans and proposals that stay within budget.
Construction prices fluctuate, so it’s hard for those who aren’t on the front lines to know accurate pricing, Bittner says. Involving a general contractor early helps keep everyone’s expectations realistic and the project moving forward.
Projects are also easier for everyone involved when designers keep local building codes, zoning ordinances and important regulations in mind from the outset of the design process, construction pros say.
“While contractors do have insight concerning the practical application of a design, both parties should keep in mind that the design will come to life in a timely manner if plans are carefully created with all constraints in mind,” says Robert Garza, general contractor at Garza Contractors in Oakland Park, Florida.
“While contractors do have insight concerning the practical application of a design, both parties should keep in mind that the design will come to life in a timely manner if plans are carefully created with all constraints in mind,” says Robert Garza, general contractor at Garza Contractors in Oakland Park, Florida.
The Houzz Pro Schedule tool lets you map out project schedules, communicate plans with team members and visually track your progress.
Go Into Detail
Contractors say architects and interior designers can aid project teams by meticulously planning their designs. This can help cut down on costly mistakes and miscommunications.
Grose has put that into practice in her design-build firm. “One thing we have worked especially hard on is communicating everything possible in plans and specs so no one is asking questions on the back end,” she says.
Contractors say architects and interior designers can aid project teams by meticulously planning their designs. This can help cut down on costly mistakes and miscommunications.
Grose has put that into practice in her design-build firm. “One thing we have worked especially hard on is communicating everything possible in plans and specs so no one is asking questions on the back end,” she says.
Of course, while laser-sharp attention to detail can be a great quality to have, it’s also helpful to remember that we all make honest mistakes.
Pro Tips for Handling Change Orders
Pro Tips for Handling Change Orders
Choose and Purchase Products Promptly
Making timely design decisions regarding products, surfaces, materials and other details can help maintain a project’s momentum. Once the designers select those items, they may take on the responsibility of ordering them too, depending on the project and the pros involved. When that’s the case, Garza says, ordering products swiftly can help keep the project on schedule, as materials can be delivered on time and ready for the builder to install.
Pros Share How They Help Clients Select the Right Materials
Making timely design decisions regarding products, surfaces, materials and other details can help maintain a project’s momentum. Once the designers select those items, they may take on the responsibility of ordering them too, depending on the project and the pros involved. When that’s the case, Garza says, ordering products swiftly can help keep the project on schedule, as materials can be delivered on time and ready for the builder to install.
Pros Share How They Help Clients Select the Right Materials
Product selection and procurement “can sometimes become a bottleneck,” says Silvio Dobrovat, president of Hometelligent in Albany, California. “Having an architect or designer that can efficiently manage and coordinate that process with both the homeowner and contractor is extremely valuable to our business.”
Steinkoler’s experience working with interior designer Amy Tyndall on his Bald Head Island home is a good illustration.
“Amy met my wife, Carolyn, on three separate occasions at High Point, North Carolina’s Furnitureland South and spent three full 12-hour days with Carolyn parsing through various furniture and finishes,” he says, adding that she also made several trips to the island over the course of construction to confirm the furniture layout and location of light fixtures in relationship to the as-built home. “Amy was instrumental, and her offer to coordinate and bring together the furnishings was immensely helpful,” Steinkoler says.
Join the Houzz Pro Trade Program
Steinkoler’s experience working with interior designer Amy Tyndall on his Bald Head Island home is a good illustration.
“Amy met my wife, Carolyn, on three separate occasions at High Point, North Carolina’s Furnitureland South and spent three full 12-hour days with Carolyn parsing through various furniture and finishes,” he says, adding that she also made several trips to the island over the course of construction to confirm the furniture layout and location of light fixtures in relationship to the as-built home. “Amy was instrumental, and her offer to coordinate and bring together the furnishings was immensely helpful,” Steinkoler says.
Join the Houzz Pro Trade Program
Give Builders the Space to Do Their Best Work
Everyone on the project team has a role to play. And sticking to one’s defined role can sometimes keep things running smoothly. Contractors we spoke to shared that it’s important for interior designers and architects to have a clear understanding early on of the builder’s scope of practice to ensure that everyone’s on the same page.
“Identify the core competencies with the general contractor early in the process, and let them do what they do,” Dobrovat says. Builder Garza agrees and says it’s good for designers to always keep in mind construction pros’ expertise and individual capabilities. “Delivering a product that is well-constructed, within budget and on time are all integral parts of the role that the contractor plays,” Garza says.
Understanding every team member’s duties and limitations can help project stakeholders keep track of who’s in charge of what and quickly resolve issues when they arise.
10 Tips for Building Good Relationships With Other Pros
Everyone on the project team has a role to play. And sticking to one’s defined role can sometimes keep things running smoothly. Contractors we spoke to shared that it’s important for interior designers and architects to have a clear understanding early on of the builder’s scope of practice to ensure that everyone’s on the same page.
“Identify the core competencies with the general contractor early in the process, and let them do what they do,” Dobrovat says. Builder Garza agrees and says it’s good for designers to always keep in mind construction pros’ expertise and individual capabilities. “Delivering a product that is well-constructed, within budget and on time are all integral parts of the role that the contractor plays,” Garza says.
Understanding every team member’s duties and limitations can help project stakeholders keep track of who’s in charge of what and quickly resolve issues when they arise.
10 Tips for Building Good Relationships With Other Pros
Keep Everyone in the Loop
When design revisions are necessary, contractors say, it’s helpful when the architect or interior designer is responsive and makes those changes in a timely manner. Once these changes have been made, it’s imperative for the design team to immediately communicate the new developments to all stakeholders so everyone remains up to date on project happenings. The old saying bears repeating: Teamwork makes the dream work.
“An interior designer is only as good as their client and what the client is willing to invest in the project,” interior designer Keita Turner says. “A design plan is only as good as its architect or interior designer. And a finished interior environment is only as good as its general contractors and subcontractors.”
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 design revisions are necessary, contractors say, it’s helpful when the architect or interior designer is responsive and makes those changes in a timely manner. Once these changes have been made, it’s imperative for the design team to immediately communicate the new developments to all stakeholders so everyone remains up to date on project happenings. The old saying bears repeating: Teamwork makes the dream work.
“An interior designer is only as good as their client and what the client is willing to invest in the project,” interior designer Keita Turner says. “A design plan is only as good as its architect or interior designer. And a finished interior environment is only as good as its general contractors and subcontractors.”
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
The first tip is one that all parties should take to heart.
For a builder, having a good relationship with the designers on a project “is the No. 1 most important factor for project success,” says Ryan Bittner, owner of Nucave Construction in Vista, California. This helps when encountering parts of the build that are unexpected or require finesse.
Bittner offers a scenario in which a designer has specified a niche size and location based on plan dimensions, but the builder discovers electrical lines in that location. A builder who has established a good relationship with the designer and understanding of that designer’s goals can work with them to make an adjustment that satisfies everyone.
Designers Share 4 Ways Builders Can Help Deliver Great Work