General contractors are a pillar of any construction project. That is why clients and general contractors need to have a good working relationship. Part of that includes being able to communicate effectively.
When a general contractor accepts a job, they should ask several questions to their client. This step must be taken before any work on the project begins. When you take time to ask initial questions you can save time and money in the long run. You can also help ensure that your customer will be satisfied with the results and that you as a contractor can avoid any potential legal issues.
What Is Your Overall Goal for the Project?
Asking your client about their goals for the project promotes clarity between the contractor and client. If the client answers with multiple goals, the two parties can take time to prioritize which goals are most important.
Do You Have a Budget in Mind?
This question is a pivotal part of understanding the scope of the project. This should be the first if not one of the first questions a general contractor asks a client before accepting the job or beginning any work. This gives you a chance to justify your prices and show why the customer should want to work with you.
What Kind of Contractor Would You Like To Work With?
This is a great question to ask a client to better understand their expectations. It allows general contractors to understand if they can deliver what the customer wants. It can also shine a light on the expected working relationship between the contractor and client. Every contractor has a way of handling business. Find out if a potential client is okay with how you typically operate.
How Would You Like To Receive Updates on the Progress of the Project?
Communication between the general contractor and client is key to a successful working relationship. This is a great way to make sure everyone is on the same page. Some contractors choose to set up a schedule so that the client can expect to hear updates on certain days. This also prevents the contractor from being randomly bombarded with questions at times that may not be opportune.
Do You Have a Completion Date in Mind?
Find out as much information about the client’s expectations as you can, including when they want or need the project to be completed. When you bring this question up early on in the conversation, it can give you a chance to explain to the client any concerns about the completion date. You can alert the client about expected delays or setbacks that could be related to the supply chain, labor, or something similar.
How Do You Plan To Pay for the Project?
Payment issues are the last thing you want to encounter after starting a construction project. Some contractors only want to be paid in cash or with a check. Other contractors are more open to various forms of payment. Make sure you and your client are on the same page about payment. Experienced contractors will get this confirmed in writing to avoid any issues later on.
We Ask the Right Questions
At Poli Construction, we ask our clients these questions to ensure their satisfaction with the final product. When you take a look at our services you’ll see that we provide a range of offerings such as commercial projects, build-outs, new construction, renovations, restaurant remodeling, and more.
Contact us to get more information from our team. You can also take a look at some of our recent projects. We look forward to working with you!
