Q&A With Jean: What’s the Proper Etiquette with a Contractor?
Etiquette isn’t just for formal occasions! Read on for simple etiquette tips for working with your contractor.
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Welcome to #13 in our Renovation Question series, designed to bring clarity to some of the mysteries of renovating! Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or a serial renovator, each project brings with it a new set of circumstances and new questions, and Sweeten is here to be a source of knowledge and reassurance.
This week, we’re tackling a question regarding etiquette for working with a general contractor and their crew. Luckily, with some small gestures and clear communication, you’ll set yourself up for success.
What is the proper etiquette when working with a general contractor?
JEAN: When a general contractor crew is working in your home, I think people wonder about things like “Do I offer them water?” or “Can I contact them during off-hours?” Obviously, it’s up to you. Just keep in mind that these folks are in your home for a long period of time. Anything you can do to maintain a professional relationship and make it a pleasant work environment is positive. We want people to be comfortable and to be as productive as possible.
Setting up a separate text thread using apps such as WhatsApp versus direct texting offers a specific place to discuss business that is not on personal time. If your contractor’s team will be in a hot apartment, it’s a nice gesture to have a refrigerator filled with water for them. Similarly, you can make bathroom arrangements for them. It doesn’t have to be yours, but you could make sure that there’s a bathroom in your building they can use.
After you’ve hired a Sweeten contractor, letting the other contractors know that you’ve moved forward with another firm and thanking them for their time is a courteous way to close the loop.
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Looking for more advice from Jean? Be sure to check out the twelfth installment in this series, Q&A With Jean: How Do I Document Change Orders?
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