This is part 2 of a 5-part series on what you need to know before embarking on a home project. If you missed part 1 on understanding the process, go back and read it. Subscribe to get the rest of the series.
The second thing you absolutely must know before starting a project is that you have to hire the right team. This is non-negotiable.
Who's On Your Team?
The key players are the architect (or designer) and the contractor. You'll also need an engineer, but you can rely on your architect or contractor to recommend a good one if you don't already know any.
Really, it comes down to the architect and the contractor. These are the people you need to trust.
Why the Right Team Matters
There are many reasons to focus on hiring the right team (quality, trust, communication) but one aspect that's often underrated is this: design and construction is a team effort. It's a group project.
You've been part of group projects in high school, college, or your professional life. Now imagine you're on a team where close collaboration is required, there's a lot of money at stake, and you're going to be working with these people for two years.
You would be very specific about who you're working with for the next two years. You have to be.
Do Your Homework
When you're looking for your contractor, your architect, or any other professional, find people you trust—but also find people who are going to work well together.
I often meet clients who have hired the first person recommended to them. A friend had a great contractor or the best architect, so they hire them based on that referral alone.
Referrals are great. Most work comes from referrals. But you still need to do your homework.
Interview these people. Have a conversation to understand their process, their communication style, their availability. See if you can communicate well, if you vibe together.
This is a long relationship. You want to feel comfortable reaching out to this person as much as you need to.
The Friend-of-a-Friend Problem
Here's a hard truth: when a client says they have a contractor who's a friend or a neighbor they want to use, about 85% of the time, that person isn't the right fit for the job.
There's a wide array of expertise when it comes to builders and architects. You have this sea of options, and it's about finding the right 10% of those people who are the right fit for your specific project.
The chances that your neighbor's friend happens to be the perfect person? Realistically, it's not very high.
This gets back to trust. Talk to your architect about contractor selection. A good architect will help you find someone who's actually qualified for the scope of work you're taking on.
Understand Their Process
Another important question to ask when deciding who to hire: make sure you understand their process.
I've come across people who hired what they thought was an architect or design-build firm, and they didn't really know the journey they were going to go through because it was never explained to them upfront.
Ask questions like:
How do you typically work?
What do you provide as services?
What does your timeline look like?
How do you communicate during construction?
People have assumptions about what an architect, design-build firm, or contractor can provide. There's a huge variety of possibilities out there. Understanding who you're hiring and what you're hiring them for is very important.
It's About the Relationship
At the end of the day, hiring the right team is about building a relationship that will carry you through a complex, lengthy, and sometimes stressful process.
Choose people you trust. Choose people who communicate well. Choose people who work well together.
Your project depends on it.
Next in the series: Part 3 - Expecting the Unexpected