Building Leverage Mediating these conversations protects your craftspeople too. “People who are really good at their trades typically have plenty of work, so they can choose who they work for,” Townley says. He strokes their egos, pays them promptly, and feeds them work and referrals. Fox finds that paying artisans “whenever they want it” gives his company leverage in booking them for other projects, even very small ones.
If possible, minimize the time craftspeople spend in clients’ homes, where dust, vibration, and the stress of remodeling can be disruptive or damaging. Some of Foxcraft’s decorative painters work on canvas in their studios, reserving long drives to the jobsite for measurements, installation, and touch-ups. And avoid overwhelming them with sprawling projects. Suggest that they begin with a small piece or a room, as the case may be.
What’s critical, Dalrymple says, is “having the flexibility to explore and learn,” and taking care to balance your clients’ dreams with your obligations to your company, your clients, and the specialized tradespeople who help make it all happen.
Leah Thayer is a senior editor for REMODELING.