Mistakes Are Certain in Any Project
There’s no such thing as a completely worry-free renovation project. Materials get discontinued, shipments are lost, damaged, or delayed, and sometimes the craftsmen on the job don’t show up on time or have personal issues that interfere with the schedule. Even your architect or designer will occasionally make mistakes. They’re human, too.
When things go wrong, and they will, what matters most is how the problems are resolved. Here are just a few examples of issues that can occur, many of which may be outside your architect’s or designer’s control:
- A vendor goes out of business
- Products are suddenly discontinued
- Shipments are lost, damaged, or delayed in transit
- A simple human error, such as transposing a number, leads to a mistake
- Contractors don’t follow the schedule or fail to show up as planned
- Materials are damaged during installation
- Products are incompatible with other components on-site
- Clients disagree on selections or budgets
- A client is indecisive, slowing down progress
How these situations are handled becomes the true test of strength and trust within the working relationship.
Take time to consider your decisions, and if you’ve developed strategies that help you make choices on past projects, be sure to share them with your design team. That insight is incredibly valuable in the problem-solving process. Clear communication between all team members is critical to a successful outcome.
If you need more information, ask for it. Be responsive. Make timely decisions without rushing yourself, and return calls, texts, or emails promptly. Keep in mind that digital communication may not always be the most effective method, depending on the personalities involved.
Above all, remain respectful. Harsh or dismissive behavior can quickly erode trust that has taken time to build. If your architect or designer isn’t being responsive enough, speak up. Don’t assume they know your preferences. Be clear about your goals and expectations. When communication is open and respectful, issues are resolved more easily, and your design professionals can serve you at their very best.
