Anyone who has faced the pressure of site development knows how important it is for the design process to go smoothly. Less time spent on getting approvals means construction starts and the doors open sooner. Cash flow begins; there are fewer days outstanding on loans. You also get a leg up on other developers who want to build competing projects in the area.

How can a design consultant help their site customers with these needs? A recent survey of private developers provides this insight on reducing your frustrations and getting customers through the doors as soon as possible.

• Own my project; act as if it were your money and livelihood at stake.
• When I call, respond as if my project is at the top of your list, not the bottom.
• Don’t hand my project off to junior staff! I hired you; I don’t appreciate a call from someone who doesn’t know my project like you do.
• Understand my needs. These may be a drop dead opening date on one project, visual appeal on another, or quick and inexpensive on another.
• Know the critical path. The lack of a driveway permit could delay me for months. Missing even one board meeting could hold up my project by a construction season.
• Meet with Planning or Zoning officials early on. Everyone looks at projects differently. Dig into their concerns and design a project that alleviates their concerns and can be approved quickly.
• There is no excuse for an incomplete submittal. Did you use a checklist and a pre-submittal meeting to avoid this scenario? Why not?
• Don’t nickel and dime me. Don’t charge me extra when I ask for another print or when you answer a question over the phone.
• Admit your mistakes. Don’t blame the town, the contractor, or me and don’t charge me for them.
• Know when enough is enough. By that, we mean don’t detail the project to death or prepare a 100 page report when everyone else turns in 20.
  Make money for me! Give me tips for dealing with utilities, accelerated construction techniques, and other ideas that help me get a return on my investment.
• Your job is not finished once the design is approved. Help resolve the conflicts you missed or created. Review requests for information quickly. Show some interest in how the project is going. This may be just a job to you, but it’s my livelihood and reputation.

Lastly, ask for feedback on your design and how you did on the items above. If you don’t, this may be your last job with us.

No matter what size your project, getting customers through your doors, pulling in profits, and paying back your banker as soon as possible has a big impact on your bottom line. You want a design consultant that takes a sincere interest in your project and leads you through the design and construction process. This has a great impact on the success of your project.

To speak to a design consultant that understands your needs, contact Tim Gawenus, P.E. at 585-334-1310 or e-mail him at tgawenus@fisherassoc.com