In a slight departure from my usual content, this post will be about un/expected renovations (in my case, 2/2 bathrooms at once) and dealing with contractors–with some effort to set things up with behavioral and project management insights insights.
Some basics beforehand:
- Take pre-pictures of everything. You don’t need to have questions later about what was/not damaged in the process versus what was a pre-existing scuff. Anything in the vicinity of where they will be working: photograph. Best case scenario, your contractor will end up with great before/after photos. Take the pictures together with the contractor if you’ll both be more comfortable.
- Anchor yourself low: ask for the worst-case scenario about how long things will take, so that you can mentally (and otherwise) prepare. Pleasant surprises are better than the alternative.
- Anchor to the fact that you will be command central, regardless of whether your contractor says they will be playing (and are charging you to play) coordinator among multiple sub-contractors. Especially if you are working from home, you have the most visibility.
- Force a conversation about the end goal, not just the set of inputs and tasks. For example, “the goal is as big a shower, with as much storage as possible.” Theory-of-change that shit right out to a well-visualized ending.
During the work
- Make sure the work order is constantly updated as things change on the ground. This is the main touch point within the contractor team and sub-contractors will work ‘to the work order,’ no matter what is discussed.
- Document everything. Conversations and calls should be followed up with notes, with written confirmation that the notes accurately reflect the call. This will probably not be normal for the contractors but do it anyway.
Heather E. Lanthorn 