Billy Gafford manages Handyman Connection, a company dedicated to bringing Birmingham area homeowners the best in handyman and home repair services. In this article, he shares some of the knowledge he has acquired through years of working with clients on various jobs.
When most folks begin the process of a new home project, they always have a wealth of questions, and my contractor’s input is often the first advice they seek. But as a contractor my job is really part artist, part artisan and even a dash of psychologist. As such, my advice can vary and I like to choose my words carefully. After all, it’s my client’s opinion that ultimately counts in the end. Let me explain.
The artistic and artisanal aspects of home contracting are probably little more obvious to reader then the aforementioned psychological ones. Anyone who has ever undertaken a repair or remodeling job has doubtlessly noted that beginning a project is like starting with an entirely blank canvas. Of course in this case it’s your home that is the canvas and it takes a bit of imagination, vision and inspiration to conceive how your house will look at project’s end. I like to think of this conceptual stage of the process as the “artistic” phase. This is where, just like the painter, your new project is only in your mind’s eye. Your artistic vision, together with that of your contractor’s, is all that exists as of yet.
The medium in contracting is not paints, brushes and canvas though. Rather, the soon-to-be manipulated materials are your home, construction tools and woods, cement, tile or stone. The actual work done to your home isn’t truly artistic: It’s artisanal. Using the methods and training of a skilled craftsman your contractor takes your house and makes it anew. Whereas with art beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the craftsman strives to create something that is objectively attractive. In other words, the contractor who gives your kitchen a makeover wants everyone who steps into it to feel how great it is. Your home isn’t a piece of art; it’s a functional place that serves a purpose.
Now that we understand the artistic and artisanal aspects of contracting we can get to the most unusual facet of my job — playing psychologist.
As an artisan and craftsmen, the contractor has a unique understanding of your home project. As we’ve already discussed, any serious construction project undertaken on your home requires first and foremost imagination. Imagination is an asset, and you’re paying for it anytime you hire a contractor for your home. Unfortunately, many clients often prefer to conceive of every phase of design themselves and let their contractors deal with simply banging the nails. They want their dream house to be just that — a dream house. That’s where my job gets tricky, and oftentimes, managing people’s expectations is the true first phase of construction. I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve been called in to repair or renovate someone’s home and found that the project was simply revamping some recently completed work that simply wasn’t done the way the client wanted it.
This sort of scenario isn’t necessarily exclusively the contractor’s fault because the client may not have illustrated the vision clearly enough. But more often than not the contractor shoulders the blame for not having produced what’s been promised. This contractor has thus done a poor job being psychologist. The contractor hasn’t anticipated what the client really desires and thus the work hasn’t met the client’s specifications. Being a contractor psychologist involves understanding what your client truly wants. But more than that, the contractor needs to gauge how realistic the client’s wishes are.
Now, I really don’t expect every contractor to buy into my philosophy. Heck, I know contractors who would be angered by my assertions. That’s why it’s up to you, the customer, to know how to properly articulate your vision to your contractor. Here are a few tips for doing so:
- Be Clear: Your contractor isn’t a mind reader. Don’t spare any of the details. Ask as many questions as you can. Don’t worry about being a nuisance as it’s better to be thorough than end up with a less than perfect home.
- Illustrate Your Concepts: If you have the abilities or access to computer programs, draw a plan. Ideas and words can be easily misunderstood, but a detailed drawing really helps hammer the point home.
- Develop a Rapport: Your contractor is a person too. Just like anyone else in your life, cultivating a relationship will bring you better understanding of each other. The better you know your contractor, the more likely your ideas will be properly understood. Plus, if you and your contractor foster a good working relationship, he’ll be a lot more open to changes when he makes a mistake.
- Ask for Advice: If you’ve chosen the right person, your contractor should be a skilled craftsman. His input is informed by skills and years of experience, so don’t hesitate to find out what he thinks. You’ll avoid confusion too and end up with a better finished product.
Like I said earlier, most contractors don’t realize how important being a psychologist is. Still, many contractors are great at pushing their clients in the right direction. This goes far beyond simple input. A great contractor always anticipates the client’s needs and manages expectations. This always leads to the best work possible. Work together with your contractor and there will be no need to call me in to fix up their work. Remember, the customer is always right, but the contractor knows how to bring you true satisfaction on your home project.
