Building Better Relationships in Construction
This podcast series provides actionable strategies for construction professionals to elevate their business by prioritizing strong relationships. Emphasizing trust, transparency, and genuine connection as the foundation for success, the book introduces the "Relationship Bank Account," a framework for understanding how interactions build or erode goodwill. Based on the book: Building Better Relationships, a Guide to Enhancing the Customer Experience for Home Builders, Remodelers, and Construction Managers by Paul Schwinghammer
Building Better Relationships in Construction
Clear Communication with Subcontractors
Episode 5 of "Building Better Relationships in Construction" focuses on fostering strong relationships with subcontractors through effective communication, inspired by Paul Schwinghammer's book. Alex and Sabrina highlight the "relationship bank account" concept, where every interaction is either a deposit (e.g., a "thank you," a ready job site) or a withdrawal (e.g., unexpected changes, delays).
They illustrate this with a story of a site supervisor back-charging a framer $150 for a ladder rental without prior discussion. This lack of communication, though for a minor cost, caused a significant "withdrawal" of trust. The hosts then explain how a simple 60-second proactive conversation—informing the framer and offering choices—could have turned this into a "deposit."
Key tips for making consistent "deposits" include setting clear expectations upfront, always informing before acting, actively listening to subcontractors' concerns, documenting all changes and agreements, and consistently following through on promises. This proactive, respectful communication builds a loyal team, prevents conflicts, and leads to smoother, higher-quality projects with less stress.