The Power of Acknowledgement

No matter what kind of work you are having done to your home, the job will go better if both you and the service provider in your house feel comfortable. Contractor etiquette is important, and when you form good remodeling contractor relationships, you are not only likely to feel better about the project while it is happening, but get better service after the fact, too. If you have doubts about what constitutes proper homeowner to contractor etiquette, here are a few guidelines that will help.

Forming Remodeling Contractor Relationships Before the Job
Remodeling contractor relationships are formed before any actual work ever begins. When you are planning a repair or improvement, the process of picking the company or contractor you will hire is extremely important. All too often, homeowners leave the decision of who to hire up to chance by picking the first ad that appeals to them from the phone book. This is a mistake!

An ad, no matter what its size, rarely (if ever) provides enough information about a given contractor to base your hiring on. Advertisements are slanted in favor of the contractor they represent, and most are sorely lacking in information about how that contractor has performed in the past. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you should not only talk to several contractors before settling on one, but also ask for (and check) references of previous clients. This process of contacting prospective contractors and their references is a great step in forming a good relationship with the company you hire. Not only will contacting multiple firms give you a better idea of what to expect and what your project is likely to cost, it also gives you a chance to understand the type of companies you are dealing with, and hopefully get the wheels of mutual respect rolling!

Contractor Etiquette on the Job
It's true that major home improvement projects can be a bit of a pain. In most cases, renovations are messy, noisy work; since all of that noise and mess are focused in and around your home, it's easy to get frustrated. The rules of contractor etiquette are meant to soften the blow of not being able to enter your kitchen, hear your TV, or even park in your driveway. For your contractor, etiquette is typically focused on creating as little of a bother as possible; for the homeowner, etiquette is generally focused more on staying out of the way, maintaining respectful interactions, and basically, trying not to blow your top!

You certainly hear stories of homeowners springing for pizza after a long day of work, but this is hardly a necessity. In most cases, your contractors will appreciate calm, respectful communication and the occasional compliment just as much as they would a slice of pepperoni. While providing a drinking water source or even a pot of coffee in the morning go a long way in solidifying remodeling contractor relationships, no crew expects a full meal from the homeowner they are working with!

When Remodeling Contractor Relationships Go Wrong
Not all remodeling contractor relationships are bound for glory! However, if you did your homework before you hired and have kept communication cordial throughout the project, the bumps in the road will be easy to bear. Trust us: Most contractors can recount at least one job that went terribly sour because the rules of contractor etiquette were not observed by one or both parties, and they want to avoid it just as much as you do (if not more)!

In the worst case scenarios, the job may have to be stopped and restarted with a different company. However, there are several things you can do to avoid this. First, take the time to talk to your crew leader at least once a week (but preferably more like once a day) to discuss progress and the overall feeling on the jobsite. This doesn't have to be an hour-long ordeal; just take a little time to ask how the job is going and express any concerns (or acknowledgements) that are on your mind.

One of the most important aspects of homeowner-contractor etiquette is laying out any ground rules early. Every home is different, and the behavior that is welcomed on one jobsite may be a cause for friction on another. If early arrival times, certain kinds of language, or behavior around pets are a concern of yours, let it be known early; any good crew leader will be more than happy to adhere to the rules of your home. Finally, remember that the people in your crew were invited to your home. While loud noises and tons of foot traffic are rarely any homeowner's idea of a good time, they are part of a process that you welcomed, and will soon reap the benefits of!