Construction communication

Summary

In this episode of the Build Show, Jake Bruton from Arrow Building visits Jackson Andrews' office in Virginia Beach to explore best practices in client communication. They discuss the importance of transparent scheduling, using whiteboards for project tracking, and the value of physical mock-ups in the warehouse and on job sites. These methods help ensure clients have a clear understanding of project timelines and the final product, minimizing surprises and enhancing the building process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jake Bruton from Arrow Building visits Jackson Andrews' building and design office in Virginia Beach to understand their operations and communication strategies.
• 📋 The office uses a physical board to track ongoing and upcoming projects, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and communication with clients as schedules change.
• 🗓 The board is updated frequently to reflect the current status of jobs, including start dates and project timelines, which helps in managing client expectations and internal team coordination.
• 🏗️ The company values transparency, ensuring that clients who visit the office can see the current state of their projects and understand the scheduling process.
• 🔄 The script highlights the need for flexibility in project management, as unforeseen circumstances can arise, requiring quick adjustments to the schedule.
• 📝 Effective communication with clients is crucial, especially when providing firm start and completion dates, and dealing with changes in project scope.
• 🛠️ The warehouse serves as a practical space for creating mock-ups and samples, allowing clients to visualize and interact with materials and designs before construction begins.
• 👷‍♂️ Mock-ups are essential for client communication, helping them understand the scale and appearance of materials and reducing the risk of dissatisfaction during construction.
• 🏡 The job site features a detailed mock-up structure that includes various materials and construction elements, enabling the team to test and refine design choices before full-scale construction.
• 👥 Collaboration between architects, designers, clients, and builders is vital for a successful project, and the mock-up structure facilitates this process by providing a tangible reference point.
• 🔧 The mock-up also serves as a practical tool for the project manager and tradespeople, offering a hands-on way to understand and plan the installation of various components.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video transcript?

The speaker in the video transcript is Jake Bruton from Arrow Building.

What is the location of the video?

The video is located in Virginia Beach at Jackson Andrews Building and Design.

What was the main focus of the morning walkthrough?

The main focus of the morning walkthrough was to understand how both companies operate, their procedures, and to showcase some of the office and warehouse features.

What is the purpose of the board in the office mentioned in the transcript?

The board in the office is used for communication, specifically for tracking jobs that are in production or about to go into production, including who is running the jobs and their timetables.

How often does the board in the office get updated according to the transcript?

The board in the office gets updated multiple times a week to reflect changes in reality and client schedules.

What is the significance of having a physical mock-up in the warehouse?

The physical mock-up in the warehouse allows clients to see, touch, and understand the scale and look of the materials that will be used in their homes, which helps in effective communication and decision-making.

What is the importance of the transparency provided by the board in the conference room?

The transparency provided by the board in the conference room allows clients to see the current status of their projects and upcoming projects without needing to be briefed each time they visit.

What is the role of the job site mock-up structure mentioned in the transcript?

The job site mock-up structure serves as a place for trades to see and understand the application of certain products, how they coordinate with each other, and provides a location for project managers to review plans.

Why is it beneficial to have a three-dimensional mock-up on site?

A three-dimensional mock-up on site allows for the design team, clients, and trades to visualize and work through the construction process before actual construction begins, leading to smoother execution and fewer surprises during the build.

What is the advantage of being able to make changes to the mock-up before starting construction?

Making changes to the mock-up before starting construction allows the team to identify potential issues and make adjustments without the cost and effort of repairing or altering the actual structure.

How does the process of client communication described in the transcript benefit the construction process?

The process of client communication described in the transcript ensures that all parties have a clear understanding of the project's status, timeline, and materials, which helps in avoiding conflicts and ensuring that the final product meets expectations.