Whether you specialize in grout and tile installation or manage the entire home building process from design to painting the walls, you want your clients to be enthusiastically pleased with the final product. After all, referrals are crucial to your ongoing success, as is a positive reputation on various rating websites.
You probably do everything in your power to fulfill the client’s expectations and make sure that they are happy with the final product. Unfortunately, some clients may have unspoken expectations that could lead to expensive claims against your business. How do you prevent someone from alleging a construction defect or contract breach because they wanted something they didn’t explain specifically?
Have detailed written records of your agreements
You might talk face-to-face or even exchange emails and text messages with images of properties that inspired your client. What’s important is that at the end of the discussion, you commit the final terms that you said to writing and provide them to the client for approval. Everything from the dimensions of the space to the materials requested and aesthetic preferences of the client should be in writing so that you and they can reference it later if a dispute arises.
It’s always better to ask for more detail than to make assumptions
Maybe the vast majority of the clients that hire you prefer a specific material, so you simply assumed that this project will use the same materials as usual. Especially for high-end and custom jobs, getting as much detailed input as possible from your client will help you avoid a situation in which you failed to live up to their expectations.
Unfortunately, some clients might try to bring legal action against you simply to avoid paying you. Your contract and communication records can help you defend yourself and your business from construction defect claims related to specific client preferences. An experienced attorney can help you.
