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INTERIOR DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THE EPISODE:

HOW TO NAVIGATE CHALLENGES THAT COME UP WITH THE CONTRACTOR OR YOUR TEAM

HOW TO NAVIGATE CHALLENGES THAT COME UP WITH THE CLIENT

HOW TO NAVIGATE CHALLENGES WITH STRUCTURAL AND ARCHITECTURAL CHALLENGES

HOW TO NAVIGATE CHALLENGES WITH PRODUCT AND SPECIFICATION ISSUES

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There will always be issues and surprises that come up on job sites. I find that just knowing to expect it makes things easier to get through.

In our industry, this is a constant fear we are all facing on the job site. But the reality is fear will make things harder.

If you are constantly fearing when the next issue will pop up, you will find yourself frazzled all the time and overthinking everything. And that is something that will never prove successful on any project.  

So today I want to break down different construction challenges I commonly see happen and how to navigate them successfully.

The first challenge I see come up is with the contractor or team.

So what kind of contractor issues can come up?

A lot of the time, it comes down to communication. 

Maybe the contractor isn’t looping you in the way you intend to be involved or the way you requested to be involved. This can sometimes be intentional, and sometimes it’s just an easy thing to do. However, even if it is unintentional it still needs to be resolved. 

If it is intentional on the contractor’s part, you need to take this head-on. You need to understand you are an equal member of this team. And so, if you are not being included in decision-making processes or updates that will affect future work that’s coming, then you need to have a direct conversation with the contractor. And if it makes you more comfortable to have the client present, then do that. But to address this issue passively confirms for that contractor that you have a lesser role. 

Remember, you are not working for the contractor. You are working for the client. 

Another challenge we frequently have to navigate is challenges with the client.

This is something I think we are all a little more used to dealing with because we’ve been decorating and have dealt with client issues. 

Some of the problems that can come upon a job site for a client is that they’re anxious that their budget is running out. And that happens. Clients stretch to get everything they possibly want in their projects. Sometimes there are unforeseen issues that truly are expensive and blow through budgets as well as that additional money they’ve set aside for this very purpose. 

Then there are times when the client is just not understanding the process. That is also producing anxiety and, sadly, sometimes there’s grumbling, tipping into anger.

Lastly, clients change their minds. They want something in blue but then change their mind to green, and then everything comes to a screeching halt. 

So how do you take these issues on?  

Most of these issues can either be avoided or lessened by very clear communication from Day 1. 

In today’s episode, I also address what to do about unexpected structural and architectural challenges that come up, how to plan and prepare for YOURSELF making mistakes, and more!

There may still be other issues along the way, but these are the general categories I see and work through on my own projects. 

I hope this episode helps! Anticipating and knowing the parameters of the issues that can happen make them so much less scary when they do happen and allows you to be prepared ahead of time and have confidence in taking the next steps. And that is where your confidence is really going to shine through, and everyone on the team is going to see it, acknowledge it, and appreciate it all the more.