How To Work Better With Architects

They’ve trained for years, so architects are going to be an authority on roof construction and safety elements. (Or so they think – you may have other ideas!)

It’s important to improve your communications with architects if you want to produce a roof contracting project to budget, on time, and with as little hassle as possible.

We know it can be hard sometimes to find the balance between practicality and aesthetics, especially when it comes to roof safety. That’s why we offer solutions such as a folding roof safety rail, to satisfy both elements of building construction!

However, there are ways to improve your working experience with architects – which’ll have a positive impact on morale, productivity, and faster communications all round…

1. Meet As Early As Possible For Your Roofing Project

As soon as you know you’re going to be the roofing contractor for a project, set up a meeting with the architects involved. Even if you aren’t going to be working with them for several months, take time to meet them as soon as possible.

Meeting early in the construction process gives you time to build up this valuable relationship and share your experience and knowledge, rather than finding yourself involved in a last-minute conflict between safety and aesthetics.

You’ll find that, by using this approach, architects will treat you more as a partner than a supplier, valuing your input and experience. This, in turn, can help develop future partnerships, as they recommend you to their clients.

2. Write Everything Down And Always Follow Up

We’ve all done it: you’ve said something in a meeting and then forgotten about it later on. Or, worse, you weren’t really listening when someone asked you to do something.

Get into the habit of always sending a quick email to your architect after your meetings, to summarise what’s been discussed and to clarify anything that has been agreed.

Doing this will re-iterate your commitment to the project in the eyes of the architect, keep communications open, and help to create a written trail of agreements. You’ll easily be able to refer back to anything that has been said, if you have a query about what’s been agreed!

3. Be Realistic About Your Timelines

Timelines can go one of two ways: you can either underestimate in order to beat your competitor quote on time, or you will overestimate and rack up a huge budget.

Your architect wants honesty: they won’t necessarily choose the cheapest roofing contractor, nor the fastest. They want to know they have a quality team that can be relied upon to deliver exactly what and when they say they will.

It’s better to say that something will take longer, or cost more, right at the start of a project. This’ll help build and maintain a great relationship with your architect and the client, and make sure that you’re seen as a reliable and reputable supplier.

4. Make Sure Your Obligations To Roof Safety Are Clear From The Start

Architects are engineers: they know what will make something technically safe. They also know what their legal obligations are.

However, by working closely with your architect, you can make sure that roof safety is part of the project from the start, instead of being considered as an afterthought. All too often, a roof safety guard rail is added at the last minute, or a rooflight turns out to be right next to an access point.

Use your experience to help guide your architect and improve the roof safety elements of your construction project, and you’ll develop strong working relationships for years to come! Get in touch with our team for more information.