Ways to work with your contractor.

Communication is the key ingredient in our project delivery at Isle West Construction. We’ve been around on Vancouver Island for decades, and know how important it is to get great results for our clients. Clients like to be involved in the process and at IWC we make it easy for them to do so.

01. Avoid allowances.

An allowance is a line item on a contractor’s bid for something that’s yet to be determined. For example, if you have yet to choose the hardware for your new kitchen, for example, the contractor may put an allowance number in your budget as a placeholder. But, with the selection available, it’s hard to determine what that amount should be. Try to do your shopping in advance so that your contractor will be able to provide you a ballpark price for the materials you’re considering.

At the beginning of the project, IWC makes it a practice to ask its clients how best to communicate with them so that progress reports can be shared and project schedule updates can be given.

Suggestions include:

– Being onsite and talking with IWC before the work begins for the day.
– Providing clients with a contact number.
– Introducing clients to the project foreman and ensuring there is open communication.

IWC encourages clients to write questions and concerns down as they arise by documenting them in a journal specific to the project. In this project journal, the following may be tracked:

– Record progress.
– Note things to ask.
– Jot down ideas.
– Record product order numbers.
– Note upcoming delivery dates.

A journal helps keep communication clear for all.

Especially in older buildings unforeseen building issues, or the addition of work as the project is underway may occur. At IWC we like to put things in writing so that there are no surprises along the way.

As the project is completed, IWC encourages clients to check the work and to make note of any items that need to be addressed in your project journal. These notes are helpful to IWC when meeting with clients to discuss project progress.

06. Pay for completed work.

As the work is completed, IWC will require clients to pay in order to proceed to the next stage of the project.

What you can expect from Isle West Construction.

Isle West Construction is locally based in the Cowichan Valley and services Vancouver Island specializing in residential and commercial renovation projects. Together we work with local contractors like kitchen designers, electricians and plumbers to ensure safety and proper completion of your renovation. If permits are required from local municipalities, IWC will obtain and assist in obtaining required documentation.

IWC values open communication and being there for our clients to minimize the stress that any renovation typically creates.