Hey guys! We’ve had so much fun covering this side of all things business on our site, and today we’re sharing
Things Your Designer Wants You to Know {red flags, part 4}!
If you’re not familiar with us, we covered a little bit of what we do:
• In our FAQ’s post, {where we’ve outlined a little of our company}
• Things Your Designer Wants You to Know {getting started, part 1}.
• Things Your Designer Wants You to Know {getting started, part 2}.
• Things Your Designer Wants You to Know {the process, part 3}
We definitely recommend checking out these other posts, if you’re not familiar with this topic, or if you’re curious. So let’s jump in, shall we? Things your designer wants you to know: Red Flags {Part 4}
Also known as, things to look out for, if you work with a contractor
Jennifer wrote in and said, “…We’re in another state from you, and looking to hire a contractor for work on our home. We have heard so many horror stories, and had some bad experiences in the past. We were wondering if you could share some red flags to look for? I’m not sure where to begin…”
We figured this was the perfect transition to dive in with a tough topic that a lot of people are afraid to tackle, but really needs to be said ‘out loud’. But first, let us add {as we’ve said in our earlier posts}: not all contractors are “bad” just like not all designers are prima donnas. Some contractors have ended up as our besties, because they know how to do a good job and communicate well, and basically don’t suffer from main character syndrome. They want us to share these things, too. But we’ve also had experiences with some contractors who should have their license taken away for putting people in danger. Plain and simple.
So, we’ve seen enough to share some red flags when it comes to contractors. Unfortunately, there’s a reason the horror stories are a real thing. We want to help you avoid that.
A designer wears many hats. Among those, we serve as an advocate for the client. Our business is a little different because we offer options. We customize our services so that you can work without one (we hold your hand all the way through, as we mentioned in our first post of this series where we outlined our business policies) or if you choose one, that’s awesome too. We can help you work with one. We strive for honesty and clear communication, which is actually hard to come by in our field. So here are a few things we’ve noticed and a few warning signs for how future work may {or may not be} handled.
Things to Look out for if You Work with a Contractor: They Promise to Get the Job Done Cheaply
So cheaply, that you haven’t seen those numbers anywhere else. It can be easy for someone to swoop in and promise the moon. That should be your first red flag. Unfortunately, so many people are brainwashed by design tv where things happen on a commercial break, {and at a 25k budget for an entire house remodel-all for the views, baby!}, they actually fall for this one.
We walked into a home recently where the owners had been promised a ridiculous amount of work, to the tune of taking a 1600 sqft home to 5100 sqft for only $350k. We had to be the bearers of bad news {or reality}. When we looked up the contractor involved out of sheer curiosity, his business presence did not reflect that he had ever seen something of this scope.
These versions of the red flag contractor usually have little regard for actual pricing, let alone the design. It’s also usually promised to occur in the HGTV timeline. Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners tend to fall for this salesman-over-reality tactic. When we are asked about these types, we always try to emphasize they aren’t taking everything into consideration and are simply putting on a show for you.
Ask to see a portfolio. Ask for references. It’s a scary world out there and you should be informed.
Moral of the story: There are too many bad apples out there who will tell you what you want to hear, just to get the job. When they are promising the moon and simply being a “yes man” without any regard for reality, this should be your first red flag.
Things to Look out for if You Work with a Contractor: Main Character Vibes
Some can (for some reason) have a tendency to make things oddly competitive or act put out by the designer and / or homeowner when it should truly be a collaborative effort. The homeowner {and their desired design} come first. So because we’re here to advocate, that means they can’t just slap something down and GITERDONEYEEHAWOPENMEABEERITSFRIDAY. This is about careful cohesive smart decisions to make a house a home. We have systems in place with certain orders to make sure things flow smoothly in a timely manner.
When a potential client with a large job told us the contractor “hoped we didn’t get in their way” we knew the job wasn’t right for us. We’re not here to be mindless assistants stroking an ego, but to help the homeowner make well-informed and beautiful decisions about their project. And remember, you shouldn’t be required to stroke their ego either, after all you’re the one paying.
Things to Look out for if You Work with a Contractor: Communication Issues
If you have a hard time hearing back from them after those initial meetings, that’s a future problem down the road. Just like you shouldn’t stonewall your designer, the contractor shouldn’t stonewall you. This is a sure sign things will be more difficult, later.
Things to Look out for if You Work with a Contractor: Asking for a large Deposit Up Front
This is to “save your space” and to “purchase materials”. You’re hyped. So you write a really big check to “get in line”. Only to have some shmuckle chuck run away with that money. This isn’t the norm. Don’t fall for it. You’d be surprised this happens to too many people, only to find out later that said perp is wanted by the Better Business Bureau for their highly illegal list of shenanigans. It’s not a good look, to say the least.
Yes, it is normal to write a good-faith deposit check to “hold your space” it just shouldn’t be a massive check. And you should expect to give a deposit on materials when it is almost time to start, but none of this should be done outside a contract. It should spell it all out. Also, check in on their references, and insurance, and make sure they’re bonded, as well.
Things to Look out for if You Work with a Contractor: Beware of Cost Plus or Percentages.
This is where they make a percentage above the actual project cost. If the project is $300,000 and they are a cost plus of 25% then they’d make $75K on the project. So your project total would actually be $375k. The more you spend, the more they make and the less you spend the less they make. Can you really trust what they say if that’s the case? Adding more built-ins mid-project because the contractor said so, may not be the best call if their recommendation is profit driven. Not to mention, if a designer isn’t involved to help you make the right choice, it may not fit the design plan. You need a fresh eye and a non-biased party to help.
This is why we work off of a base fee to help manage and organize and communicate and more. And that’s that. We’re not here to profit from your every choice. We move forward from there to make your project work for you.
Things to Look out for if You Work with a Contractor: You have to Order Everything Through Them.
Usually under the guise of “It’s in stock”, “It’s easier”, and “This is faster”, this is the part where they try to take off with the designer’s ideas, with little regard to the actual design. They tend to aim for “close enough”. We’ve had quite a few experiences where contractors love to step in at this point, and take over. This, unfortunately, is actually a thing. Because they’re getting kickbacks and discounts from the local dealer, so they want to make profits where they can. Again, it’s usually under that salesman guise. They’ll take over, then find something close to substitute in for the final look. And if ‘spend’ and ‘money’ are the motives, the design usually suffers.
This is usually when the client’s project ends up looking like a room they ordered from Wish, because they were so excited to have the space finished and were lured into the salesman tactic. It’s the quickest way to screw up a good thing. Clients are usually bamboozled into the “simpler” choice when it really may not be the best choice. It takes an experienced, refined eye to carry it through to the end with all the thoughtful details that make a space intentional and timeless. People hire a designer for a reason. They’re an essential way to make smart, beautiful decisions in a streamlined manner that will be timeless in the end.
Things to Look out for if You Work with a Contractor: They Say a Designer Isn’t Necessary
To be honest, we want to help. But when a client takes off with the project with zero consultation from us, or ghosts us midway because the contractor told them we aren’t needed… only to circle back around later once they’ve gone crazy, this reinforces our previous point about yellow tops and blue shoes. It’s like asking us to pull together an outfit to match the look that has already been established. It can actually be more work than it’s worth, at that point.
Most designers won’t be interested in a hot mess someone else has created once the bridge has been burned. It’s really frustrating to try to have everything in place, only for the client to jump ship, then decide to return later after zero communication. Putting it super bluntly: No one wants to put lipstick on a pig. The designer’s name could be associated with a crazy job that just got out of control for no good reason in the name of empty promises. Our peers have standards they’ve worked hard to maintain for a reason.
Things to Look out for if You Work with a Contractor: They’ll Encourage the Easier Route
They’ll give unwanted advice {as mentioned in our last post} and encourage you to go with them, because it is usually an easier route for them. Again with no eye for detail or design.
We’re here to prevent these things from happening to you. And remember, you’re not here to make things easier for the contractor just for the sake of being easy. Sometimes they want you to believe that.
So, What does work, when finding a contractor?
We’ve named some obvious red flags that are repeatedly missed by some people. Here are some things to look for on the positive side:
Contractors, like some designers, can be really self-important if you choose the wrong one who doesn’t click with you and your vision. So you’re ultimately looking for someone who is caring and honest. Someone open and willing to work with the client’s needs, and the dictated final design.
They aren’t put out by questions or pivoting.
They aren’t rushed just to get the job done.
Design should be the client’s guide for the entire project because it dictates the look. Not the other way around. They should have respect for your wishes.
Honest communication is essential for all parties to make a project work. Good contractors exist, you just have to spend your time vetting them if you want the job done right.
This isn’t an easy topic to cover but we thought it needed to be shared here. We’ve just seen too many people get burned.
When working with a designer: We strive to make our process simple and easy. “Easy to work with” when it comes to a designer, doesn’t mean you’ll receive zero pushback. We have an education and experience in intentionality with good design. You hire a designer for their expertise, their guidance, and their role is to guide you in the right direction. We’re here to help inform you when you’re maybe making a bad decision, so we can help you think through the process. Fresh ideas and things you may not have considered before, are a part of the job description. It’s ultimately your choice to make that decision, but it’s also our job to tell you if it’s a bad one, and help you through the process.
Someone left a great comment on our last post, that good designers can be like marriage counselors. We’re here to help you think straight and make great choices. We can actually save your sanity, if you give us a chance. We have personally lived through our own multiple renovations, and we know exactly how it feels. Empathy goes a long way with client care, too.
And back to that doctor analogy {and more of this in our past posts}: It’s ultimately the doctor telling you to stop eating so many fried foods, because they’re bad for you. It’s your choice to do as you want, but it’s the doctor’s job to tell you if it’s a bad call.
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We hope that some of these red flags to look for, are helpful in any future endeavors and projects! What are some other things you’d like to hear when it comes to things your designer wants you to know?
Did you know that we take on clients in the Nashville area and nationally? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us here!
Have an inspired day!
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