Remodeling Success Tips, Issue #007 -- Collaboration

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Remodeling Success Tips, Issue #007 -- Collaboration
April 16, 2009

Collaboration

Welcome to this months edition of Remodeling Success Tips. In this edition we will be looking at how collaboration leads to a successful remodeling or construction project.

Issue #007 - April 16, 2009

Collaboraton

Definition
Who Should Collaborate
How It Should Work
The Ultimate Outcome

The Definition

The word collaboration comes from the verb to collaborate. As described by Webster’s it means to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor.

What one word could be more important or applicable on a construction or remodeling project? The list of collaborators is almost endless.

Who Should Collaborate

Of course there are the ones that everyone knows. Owner - architect, owner - general contractor, owner - designer, designer - contractor etc...

But what about plumber and electrician, hvac and plumber, electrician - audio visual sucontractor, landscaper – mason?

The list goes on and on.

To have a successful project then is to have successful collaboration amongst all involved parties as many of the relationships are interdependent in some way shape or form.

It may be as simple as a scheduling issue where one task (trade) needs to finish by a certain date so that a second trade can do their work. Or it may be more of a direct relationship where the plumber needs to run piping to the boilers provided by the hvac contractor.

How It Should Work

To manage these relationships, everyone involved must have a clear picture of their scope of work and how it relates to others.

As discussed in a previous edition, scheduled site meetings are a good way to ensure collaboration. Hammering out details is easier to handle if all parties are present face to face. Information and decisions can flow more quickly and keep things moving smoothly.

If done in a non-adversarily way, all can benefit from this collaboration.

The Ultimate Outcome

The combined efforts of everyone involved helps to quickly identify problem areas and allows for combining all the talents to solve the problem or situation.

Players may come and go as work is completed and new work starts but the process and teamwork should continue throughout the entire project.

Building these healthy relationships through collaboration and cooperation will help to bring your remodeling or construction project to a successful conclusion

In our next newsletter, we will take a look at the importance of Contracts and Lien Waivers.

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