Are you ready to start building successful relationships in architecture?
At BRIKS Design Build Group, building successful relationships in architecture is a critical component to our business.
From the clients that we work with and the architect firms, we partner with. To the suppliers that help us build quality custom-made homes, and the vendors that help bring us to bring our client’s vision to life — excellent communication is where we start.
Here’s how to start building successful relationships in architecture for a custom-home project.
Have an online presence that showcases credibility
In today’s digital world, it’s practically a pre-requisite to have some type of online presence.
When you think about it, home buyers do a lot of their research online before selecting their custom-home builder or architect firm.
Building successful relationships in architecture requires you to establish that first sign of trust and show you’re a credible company.
Create an attractive and easy-to-navigate website that includes your portfolio of work, professional social media profiles, and client testimonials.
For architects and custom-home builders, this is a great opportunity to showcase your experience. Give a behind-the-scenes look at your processes. And have a tool to communicate directly with other partners. Make sure to include a contact form or contact information that’s easy to locate.
There’s no denying that social media has also dramatically changed the game when it comes to building successful relationships in architecture. Make sure that all of your platforms convey the professionalism, experience, and quality you want to showcase.
Set expectations from the get-go
In many cases, building successful relationships in architecture takes both architects and builders to brainstorm creative ideas and solutions to bring a client’s vision to life.
Since new home construction projects involve substantial financing, it’s a huge responsibility for architects and builders to appropriately manage and budget for all elements of a client’s project. This way, projects are completed on time, on budget and to the highest standard of quality.
Having a clear set of expectations and a detailed design concept will limit any confusion regarding construction, processes or the schedule.
Use effective software to convey your vision
Fortunately, today’s architect software allows for design concepts to be produced with greater accuracy and life-like imaging.
There are many 3D-modelling software programs you can use to convey any design or site-planning concepts.
This is an incredibly important process between the builder/architect relationship because it adds clarity regarding the design for clients.
Communicate, communicate, communicate
Building successful relationships in architecture requires strong communication skills. It’s important to be able to effectively communicate your design intent, process and timeline are critical. In any industry, it can be too easy to forget that your clients or partners don’t speak the same language or lingo that you do.
Naturally, most home buyers don’t have the extensive education, knowledge and technical context that many architects spend years training for in school.
It’s best to be abundantly clear and also write down the information. This should include providing photos, illustrations, and specific product information.
It’s also important that everyone in the relationship has all of their questions answered throughout the process. Constant communication is key to keep processes on track and headed in the right direction.
Clearly define roles and responsibilities
A new home construction project has so many details that need to be managed that it requires a strong, organized contractor as head coach who leads the team players — such as an architect, tradespeople and in some cases an interior designer.
To avoid becoming overwhelmed, make sure that you have a very defined scope of work for each player. This way, everyone will know who is doing what, when and how.
The soft skills of excellent customer service
While it’s imperative that architects and builders have the technical knowledge to deliver on design and production, they also need to have the “soft skills” of excellent customer service.
Being a good listener and having the ability to easily articulate ideas and plans that translate into practical and functional design aids in relationship building and trust.
More than anything, it’s these “soft skills” that ultimately build relationships that last. From exemplifying leadership through to meticulous organization to ensure each project runs smoothly. Don’t underestimate the importance of establishing that “know, like and trust” factor with clients, builders, or other architect partners.
At the end of the day, each custom home project (whether big or small) is an incredible undertaking. It takes a number of experts that are highly trained in their field. Creative and innovative in their design competency. In order to make a meaningful effort that puts the needs of the customer at the forefront of every action.
A BRIKS Design-Build Group, when it comes to establishing a relationship with any partner or client, we deliver the highest quality product possible to our clients. It’s this that results in excellent work and relationships – and great communication among our team.
For more information on our services or a consultation to discuss a partnership, then please click here.