GCs who recommend what they’ve done before but it doesn’t work for you

A general contractor (GC), an architect, a designer. Don’t they all, more or less do the same thing?

Nope. Close but no cigar. Each of these professions are vital in a renovation or new construction project, and each plays a unique role.

In a previous blog we talked about the concerns of hiring a GC who just does the job but doesn’t look for potential problems with the design or drawings. In this blog we want to talk about another issue and warning sign to be on the lookout for: When your GC recommends some aspect of construction of design that they’ve done for another home but it’s not right for you.

Sometimes it’s well intended. Maybe the GC saw a beautiful redesign that worked in a previous home but for you and your home it just isn’t your vision. But if the GC doesn’t listen to you and continues to push their ideas on you, it can prove problematic. It’s sort of like mansplaining but in the construction world. We’ll call it GC-splaining.

As a disclaimer, we are not here to generalize and disparage all GCs. There are some wonderful, conscientious and highly skilled GCs out there and we work with plenty. But there are also unqualified, unlicensed or just plain uncaring GCs who look at your home project as a means to an end, not as a build that’s near and dear to your heart.

The real problem with a GC recommending what they’ve done before isn’t that it’s necessarily wrong or duplicitous, it’s the fact that their vision might not be your vision. While it’s great to listen to experts and take their advice into consideration, some GCs may not always have your future life in the space at heart. But how do you know if they’re making a recommendation based on what’s best for you or what’s best for them?

Well, the simple fact of the matter is that you don’t, and that’s the real heart of the problem.

A GC could be suggesting certain design and construction elements because they believe it would really improve the project. They could be making suggestions based on builds that they’re more familiar and comfortable with. They could be making their recommendations because they want to make the job easier for themselves. And it’s rare, but they could be making suggestions because they know they can do the work and buy the materials for cheaper and still charge you the same price they quoted.

It’s a tough spot to be in if you don’t know the difference between a beam or a girder, plywood or veneer, or what BIM, BOQ or CAD stand for. For most homeowners the design and construction process is an unfamiliar field of expertise. That’s why you need to be able to trust your architect, GC, designer and anyone else who sets foot in your haven.

It all boils down to trust.

Can you trust that your GC is making recommendations based on your vision and your needs? Can you trust your GC to make the right call regardless of their personal interest or personal gain?

We hope so. We really do.

We want you to know that you can trust us. We will work to earn your trust. We will listen to you through every step of the process. We will be transparent. We will fight for your vision and we will be honest when designs dreams and reality conflict. And, we’ll even stay on to serve as your advocate during the building process of your home.

Your home is where your heart is. We get that. And we want to bring your vision to fruition. Call us today. We’ll buy you a cup of coffee and listen to your visions for your home.