No, it’s not the budget. It’s something more subtle that can completely derail a budget…and an entire project …if you don’t have it in place.
Clarity.
And it hinges on another critical element, Communication.
Together, clarity and communication are the one-two punch that ensures the efficiency and success of your project’s design and buildout.
Without these two characteristics between the builder and the homeowner, count on expense, frustration and delays. No one wants that on a custom project. No one.
A few tips to help amplify clarity and communication for your project:
- Does the design & construction pro seem like they “get it”? Or, understand what you’re saying about the work you want done? You’ll know when this happens with some professionals, but it may be more of a learning curve with others.
If it doesn’t seem like your pro is focused, it could be distraction, or they may be processing solutions while you are talking. Ask for their focus and even to share what they’re already considering as a solution. - Consider referring to the drawings, drafts and design elements (even vision boards) while you are talking about designs and larger elements of your project.
- If you don’t understand, ask. If you don’t understand the answer, please say so. Or, ask another way. This is your custom work and your satisfaction with your dream home is key. You can say that you don’t want to micro-manage, but you really want to feel like your pro understands exactly what you are after.
- Have your design build pro recap or summarize what you’ve shared with them.
You don’t need to know how to get your dream home built, but you must convey (or even show) clearly what it is you want. This is ultimately a large collaborative project that you and your family will be living your lives in.
Both you and your family, and your designer builder company want to get the custom work done right and safely for you.
Good communication and clarity with your design build pro is critical to the success of the project on many levels: satisfaction, timing of completion, staying on or within budget and minimal stress and mistakes.
It takes effort and may be challenging at times to find the words, but it’s all worth it when you get the keys and open the doors to your dream home.