Who is running your construction job site?

Who is running your construction job site?

Are you running your job site or is your client? It happens on nearly every job site. You are building a home for a client. The process is exciting and your customer wants to be a part of the process. It starts off with your happy client stopping by in the morning with a cup of coffee for you, and within a few months the client is stressed out, waiting for and calling sub contractors to show up in the morning, and giving you lists of things that need to be done. When they stop by during their lunch hour, and you are also at lunch, they feel that you are never on site and are not managing the job properly. Your client believes that they are running the job, and that the sun will not rise and set without their guidance. Sound familiar?
Now let's discuss how your job should be run, and your client's interaction. You were hired to build the home because you are a professional. You have to manage your job site properly, and you must control your job. Your client should not under any circumstances be involved in the day to day scheduling and activities involved with building the home. Your client should not be discussing the project with the sub contractors. The home building process and your client's interaction and duties should be discussed thoroughly and presented in writing prior to the start of construction. Your trade contractors should be advised not to discuss the job with clients and direct the client back to you. You need to provide the client with a milestone schedule and make sure that you enforce the schedule with your sub contractors. Meet your client once a week to discuss progress and update the schedule if needed. If you manage the job properly, your client will enjoy the process, and the milestone schedule will let them know of the next big step in the construction of their home. I also include a selection schedule to advise my clients of when information is needed from them. The selection process can also be fun and exciting for your client if you help and direct them properly.
Be respectful and professional to your clients, but let them know that you are running the project.
Author: Patrick McGreal
30 Years in Home Building Industry
http://www.buildersstaff.com