Having strong communication with your general contractor in Philadelphia is essential in ensuring your project is completed as you would like. A communication breakdown can lead to certain septs of your remodel or home build getting done improperly and needing to be redone, which will cost you more money in the end. At IBM Construction Management & General Contractor, we have some tips to help you establish strong communication with your general contractor.

Keep a journal

Communication goes both ways. Use a journal to document conversations that you’ve had with your contractor. Keep track of quotes you’ve been given, things that have been said about your project, work progress, and delivery dates. Additionally, you can use your journal to record your own ideas for your project and any questions that come to your mind throughout.

Use pictures

It can be challenging to convey certain ideas you have if you don’t work in construction. There are terms and names for things that you’re not familiar with, and sometimes the best you can do is describe what you want. Don’t hesitate to use pictures from online or draw your own to show your contractor what you’re thinking about for your project. It can be a much better alternative to conveying your thoughts than trying to explain something you might not know much about.

Create a chain of communication

It’s not efficient or effective to have multiple people coming to you throughout the day with reports regarding your project. If you have every subcontractor report to you, you’ll spend more time speaking to people about the individual work they’ve done than you have in a day. Establish a chain of communication to ensure that you’re getting information from a single person each day. This will save you time and energy when working with your contractor.

Be honest

One part of being able to work effectively with your contractor is being honest. For instance, if there’s something about the project you don’t like or don’t feel comfortable with, it’s best if you tell them right away rather than waiting until the job is done or ignoring it entirely. Tell your contractor the truth about how you feel about their work, deadlines, and cost. In return, you can be confident they’ll be honest with you about the same.

Communicate daily

You should be speaking with your general contractor every day they’re working on your project. Ask for a report about what’s been completed, what’s on the agenda for the next day, and any issues they might be running into. You’ll feel more comfortable with their work as you stay in the loop. It will also help to prevent surprises if something goes wrong and you have to adjust your budget.

Establish lines of communication

You’re not always available by phone all day, so your contractor shouldn’t expect to be able to reach you at all times. Determine the best way to reach you at the end of the day. If you would like a text message with the day’s report, let your contractor know you don’t need a daily phone call. This is especially true if you would prefer to take phone calls only when there’s an emergency.

Get in touch for more

You can establish a strong line of communication with your general contractor in Philadelphia by following these tips. If you’d like to learn more about communicating with a contractor or need to hire one for your next project, reach out to us at IBM Construction Management & General Contractor. Schedule an appointment by calling 267-202-1400 or sending your inquiries through our online contact form.