I believe in the saying “if you don’t like it don’t wish it for others” and with this philosophy I look at every project as my own not the customer’s. The first and most important step in doing a project is to listen and understand what customers want, their ideas and thoughts and their wishlist. The first question that comes into my mind is if this was my own home how I would do it. I found that making recommendations based on previous experiences is what the customers look for. Even though everyone has his or her own taste and ideas hearing a different idea or seeing a different picture supported by solid examples of previous projects will always help in final decision making and breaks the ground for establishing trust between the contractor and the home owner. Luckily, I have not had many objections to my ideas and recommendations when it comes to renovating or remodeling since I support them with experience.
There has to be a complete understanding, agreement and open communication between the customer and the contractor and linked to that is the mutual agreement of the cost so there are no surprises. Based on knowledge and experience a good contractor should be able to recognize some of the obstacles that might interfere with the project and prepare the customer and himself to deal with these obstacles to minimize the expenses. Finally going above and beyond customers’ expectations is what will win the contractor the praise and the recognition.
A preferably smooth operation, customers’ full satisfaction and a warm hand shake and a smile is what I always strive for at the end of each project.