Essential Interview Techniques for Selecting the Perfect General Contractor!
Hiring a construction company to implement the design of your project can be a daunting experience and a tremendous responsibility.
Though the contractors that have bid on your project come highly recommended by your design professional, co-worker or BFF, interviewing each candidate face to face so get that “gut feeling” is important in the decision-making process. Your ultimate goal is to come away with supreme confidence in one company to complete your project on time and within budget.
By setting aside one hour per interview and breaking it down to 45 minutes with each firm and a 15 minute break for a re-cap and comparing notes with your colleagues before the next group comes in is a good method.
Set ground rules. Each interviewee is to be advised that their total time will be 45 minutes. They are required to answer revealing key questions. A 5 minute warning will be given for their final remarks and “ wrap up”. If you don’t set this up initially, there is a greater chance of time overruns and endless contractor “monologues”.
The following are sample questions that I recently used in a contractor interview session with my clients. The answers proved to be very helpful to narrow the field from 3 to the 2 finalists:
- How long will the work take?
• What is the expected sequence of events?Do you work in one area then move to the next or do you work everywhere all at the same time?
• Will there be any times when there won’t be workers on my project? If so, why?
• Do you personally supervise the work? Will there be a full time working foreman who will be at the project daily? - How do you protect against dirt and dust during the course of this project?
- Is there anything we can do to avoid change orders?
- What are the key things that that will make for the smoothest running project possible?
- This is your opportunity to tell us why we should hire you rather than your competition?
At the conclusion of the interviews, set aside time to recap your feelings about what you learned. Does one firm shine above the others? I call this the “beauty contest” because if all else is equal, that is what it all boils down to. Do you have confidence that this GC firm will bring the project in on time, within budget, run a pristine job site and are the kind of people you want to have access to your property?
The next step would be to contact the references provided to get a solid take on the contractor’s work quality, organization, workers and the overall experience.
Now… do you feel more confident that you will select the right firm for your project? Need more advice – feel free to ask me!
Sygrove Interior Design Services
Sygrove Associates Design Group is an NYC interior design company. Our company’s founder Marilyn Sygrove is the lead interior designer on all projects. And she’s as tough as you are when it comes to quality, aesthetics, and coming in on time and on budget.
It all starts with a design consultation with Marilyn. She takes the time to thoroughly understand your design needs then personally directs all interior design, planning, and installation activities. Her work has been delighting clients, co-op and condo boards, and homeowners for over 30 years.
You can reach Marilyn by email at hello@sygrove.com or call her directly at 212.757.0631.
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7 Clues That It's Time to Renovate Your Lobby
We all know how it feels. You’ve been living in your building for many years and you hardly notice the lobby on your way in and out. We hardly ever stop to think how it looks to our guests, and how it affects the value of our apartments.
A building’s lobby is one of the most valuable, and visible!, assets of the property. Its appearance and how well it functions is directly related to value to potential buyers. A beautiful apartment is one thing. But a beautiful apartment with a dark and dingy lobby is another. Even if you aren’t planning to sell right now, it’s important to take a look at your building’s lobby with fresh eyes every now and then.
I’ve been renovating and updating lobbies in luxury coop and condo buildings in New York for over 30 years. Here’s what to look for:
How do you know when it’s time to renovate your lobby?
1. Your poor doorman is running back and forth all day long: juggling the intercom, opening the doors, and accepting a ton of packages.
2. The furniture is so icky you dare not sit on it.
3. Incoming and outgoing packages sit on the floor with no place to go.
4. Stringy, half-dead plants (donated by some of the residents when they didn’t want to care for them anymore).
5. No options for getting to the elevator besides going up a flight of stairs. This can be dangerous (especially for older people) and a source of lawsuits.
6. Bikes and strollers parked in the corner.
7. Unclaimed mail stacked on the windowsills.
And those are just a few!
To make the daunting experience of a lobby renovation less painful, I advise my clients, (who are usually the condo or coop board) to be practical. Look at the functional issues first. These are the components of the lobby that can be improved right away to get long-term benefits for both you and the building staff. Here are just a few recommendations that can make a big difference:
- Position the doorman desk and package closet in proximity to the building’s entry door. This increases efficiency and security presence
- Install ADA compliant ramps or lifts to replace steps in your lobby
- Incorporate updated technology into the design of the doorman desk and mailroom such as BuildingLink. BuildingLink is an efficient web-based management system that brings convenience and organization to your life by tracking packages, submitting maintenance requests, etc. Check them out at BuildingLink!
- Install flooring that is low maintenance and meets slippage ratings.
- Employ low maintenance materials (keeps the staff from having to spend hours polishing).
- Use seating upholstered in commercially rated durable materials and in wear-forgiving colors and patterns. You want your furniture to look good for a long time. One great fabric I like to use is Crypton.
- High impact areas such as corners at elevators and mail rooms that are protected by materials that integrate seamlessly into the design.
- Area rugs placed in less trafficked areas should be cleaned and rotated periodically to extend their lives.
- Use a variety of lighting makes the lobby more intimate and interesting.
So, today as you walk through your lobby, take a few minutes to look at it with fresh eyes. If you’re ready to renovate… just do it!
Sygrove Interior Design Services
Sygrove Associates Design Group is an NYC interior design company. Our company’s founder Marilyn Sygrove is the lead interior designer on all projects. And she’s as tough as you are when it comes to quality, aesthetics, and coming in on time and on budget.
It all starts with a design consultation with Marilyn. She takes the time to thoroughly understand your design needs then personally directs all interior design, planning, and installation activities. Her work has been delighting clients, co-op and condo boards, and homeowners for over 30 years.
You can reach Marilyn by email at hello@sygrove.com or call her directly at 212.757.0631.