How to “talk” with your builder.
The Power of Communication in Construction
I want to share a story and some insights on a topic that’s crucial for our construction businesses—communication. This is specifically written with the client in mind. Effective communication can make all the difference in your project's success, so let’s take a look into how you can communicate better with your build team.
Use Simple, Direct Language
No matter how large your vocabulary is, when it comes to construction, use simple, direct language.
Don’t Use Profanity
This one might seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning—don’t use profanity. These words never improve morale or enhance motivation. It’s very likely your build team will use profanity, but don’t be tempted to use it. Even if a construction site feels like the right setting to utter expletives, it doesn’t help your cause. When you keep your language clean, the perception you cast on your build team is that you are a clean person. That will translate to everyone on the build team elevating their standards, thus giving you a higher quality product. Day in and day out, not using profanity with your build team will pay dividends.
Be Gracious
Graciousness goes a long way. How can we be sure that this is a solid approach to communicating with your build team? Don’t construction people use rapid and terse language? Yeah, they do. But that is their language, and you are on the outside, at least for now. Break into the “crew” slowly. If you need to be heard, speak up, but try not to command the site. True, this is your home, but for now, it is the contractor's domain.
Real-Life Example
Let me share a real story to highlight this. A neighbor (who was away) called me up shortly after his property manager messaged him and alleged a delivery truck taking materials to my job site ran over his front lawn. His very first words when I answered his call were, “Are you the owner of the construction company next door?” I replied, “Yes.” “Good,” he said, “I am gonna sue you.” I paused, and after half a minute (most of which spent trying not to conjure up a retaliation), I calmly and light-heartedly responded with a smile, “Sue me? You don’t even know me.”
This response, although sharp, immediately eased the tension. The trick? The delivery was light-hearted and calm. Until the phone call, he and I had never met, so my response tactfully called him out on his lack of kindness. He immediately apologized for his rudeness and went on to explain the situation, on which he only had second-hand information. I, by the way, am hearing of this potentially explosive issue for the first time via phone (first impressions are everything?…hmm). After exchanging apologies back and forth, I promised him that I would review the situation personally and care for any damage.
By using simple, direct language, avoiding profanity, and being gracious, you can improve communication with your build team and ensure a smoother, more productive project. Remember, communication is key in construction—it's not just about getting things done, but getting them done well, and keeping everyone on the same page.