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You’re looking for a good, reliable contractor. A good, reliable contractor is looking for an honest, informed boss – you, the client. While your house is under construction, you’re all in this together, working as a team. A good client earns the contractor’s respect and makes the experience proceed more smoothly. Good communication and courtesy goes a long way toward the successful completion of a project.

Pay on Time

In any realm of life, late payments change a working relationship. As long as the work is done correctly, make sure your bills are paid on time. If you want to sabotage the connection with your contractor, there’s no more effective method than becoming a deadbeat.

Answer Questions Right Away

Time is money, and you’re wasting your contractor’s time and your funds if you don’t get back to them as soon as possible with answers to questions. Delays are inevitable with any construction project, but when delays result from your inaccessibility or indecision you have only yourself to blame.

Make Material Selections Ahead of Time

Another way to waste money is via procrastinating on material selections. Don’t dawdle on material selection – make a decision and ensure the workers can get on the job.

Never Lock the Contractors Out

If remodeling is underway, make sure the contractors always have access to your home. That certainly doesn’t mean giving out keys or codes with abandon, but the general contractor should always have the means to enter the house so work can get done.

Issues with Subcontractors

It’s not uncommon for issues with subcontractors or the contractor’s employees to arise. You may not like the work they’re doing, or their attitude. Discuss the issue with contractor. If it’s a question of poor work, the subcontractor needs replacing. If it’s attitude, let the contractor have a word with the person and see if their behavior improves, unless the situation is really bad. Hint: Do try to find out beforehand if any of the employees are related to the contractor. If you have an issue with an employee and it turns out he’s the contractor’s son, delicate negotiations are in order. Before the project starts, ask casually if the contractor has family working in the business, and find out who they are.

By the same token, do not hire subcontractors for side work without the general contractor’s permission. Even though it is your house, you are not the project manager and must respect the GC’s role.

Let Professionals Do Their Jobs

You hired the contractor for his or her expertise. Don’t second-guess their every action or make too many “suggestions.” Unless you’ve been in the business, there are complexities with which you’re unfamiliar. You have a detailed project description and should receive regular status updates. If there are issues, schedule a conference.  

Address Concerns

If you have concerns, address them as soon as possible in a polite but firm manner. For example, if a contractor has a few items left on the punch list and wants you to punch them out before the work is complete, don’t do it.

Patience is a Virtue

Sometimes, construction takes place ahead of time and under budget. That, however, is the exception rather than the rule. Construction is fun, exciting, rewarding, noisy and dirty, and it takes time. As long as the delays aren’t extreme and for understandable reasons, stay patient. Your contractor can no more control the weather than you can. Really, before you know it, you’ll be living in your beautiful new home.