Not good with people? No worries at all, my friend, I’m going to give you a few quick tips on working with and communicating with your renovation contractor or interior designer.
1. Know what you want before you hire them. No one likes an indecisive client, so before you hire a renovation contractor or interior designer, know exactly what you want to be done, so the process is easy and stress-free. If you don’t know what you want to be done yet, but want something done, there are plenty of magazines in interior design and home renovation to draw from for inspiration. “Architectural Digest” www.architecturaldigest.com is a great one, as it includes interior design and architecture, which is great for ideas. “Interior Design” www.interiordesign.net (blunt, I know) is another great magazine to find ideas. “Dwell” www.dwell.com/magazine is yet another fantastic option, and it includes sustainable design architecture if you’re into that.
2. Be patient. Some jobs can take a while, especially if it is the renovation. Contractors need time to map out the situation and properly renovate what you want to be renovated. Interior designers need time to make the right decisions, so your new room doesn’t clash with the rest of your home. So just give them space and time, and they will get it done.
3. Tell them what you want and be up front. If they don’t know exactly what you want, how are they supposed to know exactly what to do? If you change your mind about something, tell them and they will do what you want to change it to. At the time, you are the boss.
4. Be kind. No one likes a stinker, especially people trying to do their job. If they have to be at your house or business at 6:30 on a Monday, which, let’s be honest, no one likes to do, buy them a dozen donuts or coffee or something. If the atmosphere is happy, the job will get done faster.
Working with interior designers and renovation contractors can be tough at times, but know that they are there to make your dream come to live.