Common client relationship breakdowns and how to avoid them with communication methods

Sustaining meaningful client relationships is the most important thing you can do for your construction business. And fixing the breakdowns that exist within your communication methods is the best place to start.

Today, homeowners expect an interactive experience when it comes to their renovation projects or building a new home. Using construction software like Buildertrend will help to keep your clients engaged and reduce the risk of communication and relationship breakdowns.

Here are a few common client relationship breakdowns and how to avoid them.

Disagreements on project terms and price

Your construction contract is arguably the most important tool you have when starting a new project. And we mean any project – building a home, working on a remodel or taking on a specialty job. Also known as a building agreement, the contract between you and your client is a legally binding document that protects both parties. This document should include detailed sections outlining items such as scope of work, financials and construction schedule.

In order to avoid contractual disagreements and ensure your business is protected from all angles, it’s important that you know your contract inside and out, stay updated on state construction laws and include specific language related to change order terms. It may also be a good idea to consult a legal professional as you begin to build your construction contract.

When you have your contract completed and ready to go, you can add it to your Buildertrend account and keep it updated, so you’re always prepared to start new jobs. Having your contract prepared will leave little room for communication breakdown or price discrepancy.

Miscommunication and lack of updates

Clear, effective communication methods are essential to completing construction projects on time and on budget. Conflicts often arise when there are breakdowns between key stakeholders in regards to important project details. This could be anything from a change order to an increase in price for building materials. Keeping everyone on the same page will keep projects running smoothly and reduce the amount of friction on projects.

Using Buildertrend’s Customer Portal for real-time communication is essential for staying connected with your clients. It not only makes them happy, it’s a great way for you to keep your projects moving. You will oftentimes need your clients to make decisions regarding their product selections, change orders and other finishes. They can log in at any time to check updates, see schedule changes, choose their appliances and make payments.

With construction software, you can allow your clients to be involved through every phase of the job. This ensures they’re included on important decisions and lowers the chance of miscommunication.

Lack of transparency on project timelines and delays

Delaying timelines for construction jobs is definitely something you want to avoid. Not meeting deadlines and being unclear about the completion date for a new house or project can lead to unnecessary turmoil and unhappy clients.

Keep timelines on track with Buildertrend’s Schedule feature, or as we like to call it, the backbone of our platform. The Schedule feature creates efficiency when managing job timelines and allows for seamless adjustments. Hit a bump in the road and need to make a quick shift? No problem! Schedule items in Buildertrend can be linked together, so fast timeline updates can be made in less than a minute with just a couple clicks.

Be openly transparent with your clients by giving them the ability to follow along. You can also easily share schedule items with them to ensure communication never falls through the cracks, and they’re never left in the dark.

Let us help you avoid these common client relationship breakdowns

By using Buildertend to manage your construction projects, you can easily avoid these common breakdowns with cohesive communication methods. To learn more about our construction software, project management tools and how they can keep your jobs running smoothly, schedule a demo today.

About The Author

Chelsea Cole Chelsea Cole is a senior content marketing specialist at Buildertrend