Aunt Esther And The Handyman – Lake County File-Bee

You have to love them both! And both could even play a role in your project in an important way.

Family and friends are definitely valuable, and their talents, skills, and expertise should not be arbitrarily underestimated or offended in order to achieve more formal business affiliations. The most important thing is to keep both factions in perspective.

There are many options available when it comes to design services. Risks exist between the differences between taking a hobby approach, the ability to repair, and the professional insight and experience required that is critical to overall project detail management and success.

It’s a good idea to do your research before deciding whether to hire Aunt Esther for your business office or the handyman down the street to remodel the house. Both may have the best of intentions, a creative flare, and even an abundance of practical skills. However, every project has specific challenges that require different insights, experiences and a functioning, up-to-date knowledge of the relevant resources.

Methods, materials, equipment, regulations, permits, new environmental standards, ADA requirements and myriad other factors are always in flux in engineering and design. Errors or violations can be very expensive and paralyze a project in the middle of a step.

Remember, when things get tricky, we all glove over the family and are very concerned about feelings and personal relationships. On the other hand, professional relationships are anchored by clarifying documentation that covers functional issues including problems – that’s good business!

Let’s take a close look at the pitfalls and the positive potential of getting Aunt Esther or the craftsman to participate in your project.

The first, best dynamic is aunt and good Joe’s desire to learn something. The second is your design professional’s willingness to guide, supervise, and teach less experienced people – if the client wants them to be involved.

It is important that you discuss this matter with your professional team in advance. It almost goes without saying that blinding your professionals is not good for your project. You need to know if your professionals are ready to take on the role of a mentor, teacher, or overseer for amateurs. Some are wild; Some are not. It’s not even about money; It’s about the ability of your professionals to do the job the way you want it to. If you expect them to wear too many hats or put off your personal relationships contrary to their good judgment, they may not want the job.

However, if your potential professional is intrigued by the prospect of involving Aunt Esther and / or the craftsman in the process, then clear guidelines, regulations, limits and “rules” need to be included in your documentation. It is important to clarify who will be responsible for any liability that arises from amateurs taking initiative that backfires.

It’s delicate at best. In the worst case, it’s risky and expensive. So, think carefully about the formal management of your loved ones on personal terms and the wisdom to associate them with your large business or residential projects.

Aunt Esther and the handyman didn’t fall out of the nest yesterday morning! So you probably know your own limits. It’s up to you too that they don’t feel obliged to move towards something that stretches them just because they don’t want to let you down.

Keeping such decisions reasonable is a one-way street. It requires clear communication, common sense, consideration, and mutual respect.

Robert Boccabella, BFA, has been a principal and founder of Business Design Services and a certified interior designer in private practice for over 30 years. Boccabella offers Designing to Fit the Vision © in cooperation with writingservice@earthlink.net. To contact him, call 707-263-7073; Email at rb@BusinessDesignServices.com or visit www.BusinessDesignServices.com or on Facebook at Business Design Services.