Your design-build contractor has many tasks that they must complete in a given day. They are your point of contact during home-building and remodeling projects. These projects can be incredibly stressful undertakings. Every problem that you can think of has the potential to happen. But the fact of the matter is, contractors are the ones who need to deal with any problems that arise. It isn’t your responsibility as the homeowner.
What are the dimensions of trust?
First, let’s think about control. There are two general approaches to this—formal and informal. Formal control entails positional power, policies, and procedures. On the other hand, informal control is centered around the values, culture, and norms of a business. There is a complementary relationship between trust and control. That is to say, trust fosters control while control reinforces trust. This balance acts to enhance interactions and align expectations. To achieve this balance, there are four dimensions of trust that must be built and maintained.
- Reliability: Round Rock remodeling professionals must prove that they follow through on commitments. No matter their role, they need to be present and complete tasks on time.
- Competence: When someone is hired for a remodeling job, they need to know what they are doing. It cannot just be that they had some beautiful photos in their portfolio—they must be able to execute every time.
- Concern: Is your Round Rock remodeling contractor being mindful of regulations, laws, and the well-being of their workers? They must be considerate in order to gain a particular, vulnerable aspect of your trust.
- Integrity: At the end of the day, none of the other dimensions matter if you are being blatantly lied to. You need to partner with remodelers who are clear and honest about what is going on with your project every step of the way.
Dig into your contractor's reputation.
Not everyone knows someone who has gotten local remodeling work done before. This means that you cannot benefit from immediate word-of-mouth. Instead, you need to utilize the internet. There are many sites that you can go on to locate reputable Round Rock remodeling companies. Take notes on their experience and years in business. Pay attention to what the reviews and references are saying about the contractors. As your point of contact, the contractor is the person to who you will be regularly speaking. Ensure that they are someone, at least on paper, who you would be able to trust. If they have earned an unfavorable reputation, there is a reason. Alternately, if they have a glowing reputation online, they will have achieved this through consistent performance and dependability.
Make your expectations clear upfront.
The interview stage is what sets off your relationship with a contractor. You get the chance to really know them, share your vision, and hear directly about their experience. If you aren’t happy with your interview experience, know that this is an indicator of what is to come. So, interview contractors until you have found one that clicks. For those who have never interviewed a contractor before, you may not be sure what is necessary to ask. Some basic topics include what their process is like, how long they would expect the project to take, and how they acquire building permits. When you come out of a good interview with a Round Rock remodeling expert, you have a consolidated plan to base your decision on.
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Only work with insured contractors.
Release some of your worries by knowing that you are partnering with a Round Rock remodeling company that has insurance. Examples include workers’ compensation and liability insurance. These aren’t things that only commercial construction companies need. Homeowners are given peace of mind when contractors are able to show them that their teams will not be exposed to additional risks. They know that the contractor will work in a way that meets state requirements. Don’t forget about other paperwork items of key importance, like contracts, change orders, and project specifications. The combination of all of this will make your project go as smoothly as possible.
Understand that cheapest isn't best.
Home remodeling projects can get expensive. In fact, at Bat City Builders, our average project size is a multi-room remodel. This starts around the $250,000 range, making it a big financial investment. Of course, the cost is going to depend on which rooms you are remodeling and what you are hoping to gain from them. You might be doing a smaller-scale Round Rock remodeling project just in your kitchen. Regardless of what your situation is, when you are looking for a company to join forces with, know that just because someone has low rates doesn’t mean you should go with them. While cheap service isn’t equivalent to poor craftsmanship, you need to be sure that you are confident in your investment.
Fun Fact: Did you know that 1.2 million new housing units are planned every year? Work with a trustworthy design-build company like Bat City Builders on your custom home!
Why is building trust worth it?
Something that you must understand, regardless of your profession, is that trust is earned. Around the world, trustworthiness is perceived in different ways. But in the United States, specifically, it comes from openness. So, if you and the contractor of a Round Rock remodeling company are willing to have open discussions, you will find yourself implicitly trusting them. Naturally, though, this relationship takes time that you should be willing to commit to, given that you will be working with the company for an extended period.
Keep in mind that your Round Rock remodeling company also needs to have trust within itself. Every member is working together to make your house a success. If they cannot effectively communicate and face challenges head-on together, it will make for a very lengthy, frustrating project. Research conducted for the Academy of Management Journal found that business partners who trust one another spend more time working on things that make the business successful. Ultimately, more trust means more fruitful negotiations.