The powerful connection between you and your contractor will establish the work environment. An uncomfortable relationship will lead to mistakes and misunderstandings, while a friendly relationship will help to eliminate the problems that can arise between the contractor and the owner. Here are a few tips on having the best relationship, for the best project.
Make your request for a proposal clear
For a good relationship you’ll need to begin as you mean to go. The best way is to clearly present your project by outlining specifications and requirements in a Request for Proposal (RFP). It shouldn’t be long, or overly complex, but should state your requirements clearly and concisely. Be sure to have a thorough assessment with all relevant stakeholders so no surprises pop up later in the project. Your RFP should be specific, but still allow for the prospective contractor to find creative solutions.
The right person for the job.
The person you choose as your contractor should have the knowledge, expertise, and resources needed to finish the job. When reviewing responses, think about the ability of each proposal to perform each requirement.
Budget and operating procedures need to be taken in to account. It’s no use to choose a contractor that can’t complete the project on budget, or one that won’t follow current operating procedures. Once you’ve made a few choices, the best thing to do is perform interviews and take a look at samples or their work to make sure you’ve got the right fit.
Define your relationship
Once you’ve found the right contractor for your needs, you’ll need to define your business relationship in a contract. This is a great opportunity for you and the contractor to sit down and talk about resources, restrictions, and terms of your engagement.
Create an effective scope of work.
The Scope of Work, or SOW, is an important part of the service contract. It defines functional and tactical requirements of the project. It outlines what the contract is and isn’t responsible for, details timelines and milestones, deliverables, and sets expectations.
Start Small
If you can, it’s best to evaluate your contractor on small jobs before you commit to large ones. This is the best way to get an idea of their working style and communication methods that work best. Finding the right contractor can take time, it’s worth working through a few smaller projects to find the right one for you.
Here you see are just a few important things to think about when you are looking for a contractor. Keep an eye on all of these in order to have a great relationship with anyone you choose. And love the project!