Partnering for Success: 7 Tips for Working with a General Contractor

Guest Blog by Char Tedrick

This article fist appeared in The Communicator, Spring 2023 Edition. 

Let’s face it – life is stressful. We can try every calming strategy in the book, practice meditation, breathwork, and yoga – but when you are responsible for the peace of mind and contentment of a large community of residents, we’re talking next level. You need to be prepared and ready to handle whatever the day brings.

When circumstances call for the services of a general contractor, chances are your needs are urgent and time is of the essence. When your community is depending on you for quick and reliable service and support, having those strong partnerships and vendor relationships in place is critical. You may have your nominated vendors and trusted partners, but you never know what the future may hold. It is always better to have options and the ability to make a calculated and thoughtful decision on work based off the bids of a few qualified contractors. Dig in here for some tips and tricks to keep in mind when pursuing your next construction project.

1. All contractors are not created equal.Find a contractor that specializes in HOA repairs and is well versed and experienced in the unique needs of multi-family communities. Ask for references and do some research to get a real understanding of the contractor’s abilities. Consider the ease in communication and scheduling. If all goes well, you might be working closely with this team for an extended period depending on the size and timeline of the project.
2. Team up with a good construction manager who inspects your project and prepares a scope for qualified contractors to bid on.It’s imperative that your contractors are bidding apples to apples, all being given a fair opportunity to price their work off the same information provided by you. An experienced and knowledgeable construction manager will serve as a liaison between the board and the contractor, translating information and assisting in reaching your goals on time and on budget. From there you can make comparisons and find the best fit for your project and your community.
3. Understand your proposal completely.Your construction manager will be able to walk you through every detail of the project scope and competing bids. They should help you to comb through your options to make sure you are very clear on the details included and any potential added costs so that you are maximizing your budget. Difference in techniques and materials can create extreme variations in pricing and also add to the timeline. Be clear in communicating the big picture goal as well as the obvious immediate need so that proper techniques and materials can be implemented for the best outcome.
4. Deferred maintenance results in the initial problem growing.Addressing and resolving structural and maintenance issues is the most cost effective and safest way to move forward. Deferred maintenance will always result in the problem being much bigger than it was initially, becoming more problematic for your homeowners and more costly for you to repair.
5. Invest in quality work for the long haul.The highest quality work isn’t always the cheapest, and the cheapest work isn’t usually the best quality. Look at the long-term sustainability of the work to make the most of your money and your residents’ time.
6. Be prepared.Make connections with contractors and resources before you need them. Make it a habit to do your rounds and update your vendor database with any new potential partnerships on a regular basis. The more trusted partners you have working toward successful outcomes, the better.
7. Stay cool.Stressful situations are handled best with calm and collected decision-making. When you are already supported by strong resources, you can quickly attend to issues effectively. Communicate with your contractor and establish a mutually respectful relationship based on teamwork and trust.

Char Tedrick brings her background in creative design and brand development to the table at BTC Bob Tedrick Construction in her role as head of Business Development. She wears many hats in the business, focusing on all opportunities to drive sales and brand awareness through creative marketing and strategic growth.