General contractor’s guide to working with architects, engineers and interior designers

Key takeaways

• When assessing a general contractor, Architects and interior designers typically look for experience and reputation, great communication skills, technical knowledge and the ability to control cost and project schedule
• As a general contractor you should also assess the quality of an architects and interior designer and look for proof of their reputation, technical expertise, attention to detail when it comes the quality of their design plans, adaptability when it comes to changes necessary to be made for a better construction process
• When assessing an engineer as a general contractor you should look into their technical knowledge but also their adaptability so they can accommodate you whenever the needs arise at critical moments during construction

Working with architects or interior designer

What do architects or interior designers look for in a general contractor?

Homeowners always ask architects for recommendations of 2-3 general contractors they might have worked with in the past. This question from homeowners is a factor into their decision of working with architects, therefore architects have a strong incentive to build themselves a network of 2-3 trusted general contractors if they want to also easily win homeowners over.

Architects typically look for the following qualities in a general contractor:

• Experience and reputation: A general contractor with a proven track record of successful projects and positive references is usually a good indicator of their capability to deliver quality work. You will build this over time, so in the earliest days of your business it’s important for you to build a portfolio showcasing your work and maintain great relationships with past customers..
• Communication skills: Good communication skills and the ability to work closely with the architect and other members of the construction team is critical for a successful project outcome.
• Technical knowledge: A general contractor with a solid understanding of building codes, construction techniques, and materials is essential for ensuring the project meets safety and quality standards. As a general contractor, you can add tremendous value to help architects with the selection of materials that are solid but also cost-effective.
• Cost control and scheduling ability: A contractor who can control costs and stay on schedule is key to ensuring a successful project outcome and avoiding costly delays.
• Problem-solving skills: The ability to identify and solve problems quickly and effectively is important for ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Safety record: A general contractor with a good safety record is important for protecting workers and ensuring the project meets legal requirements.

As a general contractor, what should you look for in an architect or interior designer?

Working with architects and building a successful partnership over time is a two-way street! As a general contractor you should also thoroughly observe several criteria in order to decide if you’d like to continue working with an architect or not.

• Technical expertise: An architect with technical expertise in building design and construction is essential for ensuring that the project meets quality and safety standards.
• Attention to detail: An architect with a keen eye for detail is important for ensuring that the final design meets your specific requirements and specifications. As a general contractor, you should not tolerate incomplete plans because it will bite you at the end of the construction if homeowners are unhappy with the final results or if costs end up being higher than forecasted because of bad initial design.
• Communication skills: Good communication skills are critical for ensuring a smooth and effective collaboration between the architect and the general contractor.
• Project management skills: An architect with strong project management skills can help keep the project on track and ensure that it is completed on time and within budget.
• Adaptability: An architect who is flexible and adaptable to changes and modifications during the design and construction process is important for ensuring a successful project outcome. Your voice should be heard as a general contractor because you’re the one building the work and thus sometimes the solutions that are proposed by the architect might not be optimal for construction or cost-effective.
• Reputation: A reputable architect with a proven track record of successful projects and positive references is a good indicator of their ability to deliver quality work.

As a general contractor, what are the best practices to manage the relationship with an architect or interior designer during the bidding phase?

Interacting with architects or interior designers during the bidding phase is about setting clear expectations on the budget for the project, as well as roles and responsibilities during construction. You can also bring a lot of value by sharing construction feedback on the quality of the plans you’re bidding on.

Here are a couple of best practices for managing the relationship with architects during the bidding phase:

1. Establish clear lines of communication: Establish clear lines of communication with the architect or interior designer, and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
2. Consider the architect's or interior designer's initial estimate: Take into consideration the architect's or interior designer's budget constraints when bidding on the project. Architects are often unequipped or poorly trained to make precise estimates of the construction and thus communicate erroneous information to homeowners. Knowing what their initial estimate is upfront will save your hours of work if there’s a strong misalignment from the start.
3. Be transparent: Be transparent about your bidding process, and keep the architect or interior designer informed of any changes or updates.
4. Clarify expectations when it comes to their involvement during construction: Clearly define and clarify each party's expectations, responsibilities, and roles during the construction phase. This will help avoid misunderstandings and conflicts later on.
5. Provide accurate and timely feedback on the design: If you have any feedback or concerns about the design or specifications, provide accurate and timely feedback to the architect or interior designer.
6. Confirm if the plans are final or not: During the bidding phase, it’s important to know if the plans that you’re bidding on are final or not. If the plans are not final, you might be doing the work multiple times and it might not be an efficient bidding process.

As a general contractor, what are the best practices to manage the relationship with an architect or interior designer during the construction phase?

During the construction phase, managing the relationship with an architect or interior designer is similar to managing the communication with homeowners during the construction phase. We cover best practices in a guide entitled “General Contractors guide to communicating with homeowners”.

Here’s a summary of best practices for managing the relationship with an architect or interior designer during the construction phase:

Maintain open communication: Communication is key to any successful collaboration. Ensure that lines of communication are kept open and that everyone is on the same page.

1. Clarify expectations: Clarify each party's responsibilities, roles, and expectations in the construction phase to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.
2. Provide regular updates: Provide regular updates on the construction progress, and seek input from the architect or interior designer on any design changes that may be necessary.
3. Be transparent: Be transparent about the construction process, and keep the architect or interior designer informed of any changes or updates.
4. Address any issues promptly: If any issues or concerns arise during the construction phase, address them promptly and proactively to ensure the project stays on track.
5. Seek feedback: Encourage the architect or interior designer to provide input on the construction process and how you can work together to achieve the best results.
   

Working with engineers

As a general contractor, what should you look for in an engineer?

An engineer often gets work from either architects or general contractors directly. Similarly to architects, when you look to work with an engineer over the long-term you want to make sure that the following criteria are present:

1. Reputation: A reputable engineer with a proven track record of successful projects and positive references is a good indicator of their ability to deliver quality work.
2. Technical expertise: An engineer with technical expertise in their field is essential for ensuring that the project meets quality and safety standards.
3. Attention to detail: An engineer with a keen eye for detail is important for ensuring that the design meets your specific requirements and specifications.
4. Adaptability: An engineer who is flexible and adaptable to changes and modifications during the design and construction process is important for ensuring a successful project outcome.
5. Problem-solving skills: An engineer with strong problem-solving skills is critical for identifying and resolving any design or construction issues that may arise during the project.

As a general contractor, what are the best practices to manage the relationship with an engineer during the bidding phase?

During the bidding phase, there might be elements of the plans for which architects forgot to request engineers for structural assessments. You want to make sure you’re working with an engineer that’s flexible enough to accommodate you rapidly. 

During the bidding phase, an engineer should also be good at engaging with you on providing cost-effective solutions for the homeowner. Do not hesitate in having frequent discussions with the engineer as you review the structural plans before sending your quote.

As a general contractor, what are the best practices to manage the relationship with an engineer during the construction phase?

During the construction phase, more often than not you won’t need to interact with the engineer unless an omission was made during the design phase. Ideally the engineer that you decide to regularly work with is flexible enough to accommodate you when the need arises.