You've secured permits for a property design. How do you handle a client who insists on changes?

Requests for revisions should have happened before getting permits in hand, however, if you find yourself in this situation, there are two (2) primary factors to consider: 1. TIME. Do you have enough time in your underlying contract to Purchase? Is the Buyer coming up on their outside closing date? If the Buyer needs more time, you should require a significant portion of the Deposit go hard without contingencies, if not already. Additional time has to cost the Buyer something. 2. MONEY. If the Seller waited that long to request revisions, then they should be willing to cover the additional civil / permitting expenses. The Seller should not be on the hook for those.

This can be very complex to deal with. Handling a client who insists on changes requires a delicate balance of diplomacy and practicality. It's important to listen carefully to the client's concerns and understand their perspective. You need to have open dialog without any preconceived notions or biased approach so that you can listen to the client to understand.

Understand the client's concerns by asking for specific changes and reasons. This demonstrates attentiveness and respect for their input and determine if the requested changes align with the overall goals of the project. Sometimes, client may request changes based on new information, evolving needs or misunderstandings, clarifying their objectives can help in finding the best solution.

Changes are typically more easy than people imagine. Largest difficulty is clearly communicating how each specific change impacts time and cost. If you bid a job at a certain price and the job changes, it should not be a huge surprise that there is a financial and time cost to those changes. Being able to quickly and clearly quantify the impact of each change will give clients a clear understanding and continue expectation management as you progress through a project. Additionally, with experience, managers/contractors can give sound alternates that might get the client where they want to be, with as little financial impact as possible.

You should asses the feasibility of the requested changes within the constraints of existing permits and design limitations. Explain the potential impact on timelines, budgets, and compliance to help the client see the bigger picture. If changes are viable, offer solutions that align with their vision while adhering to regulatory requirements. If not, guide them towards alternatives that achieve a compromise. Maintaining clear communication and demonstrating flexibility will help build trust and ensure the project remains on track while accommodating the client's needs.

Assessing impact is vital. How can evaluating the impact of requested changes help manage client expectations? ? Financial implications: How does analyzing cost changes ensure clients understand budget impacts? ? Timeline shifts: How can assessing time delays help clients make informed decisions? ? Regulatory compliance: How does evaluating legal constraints prevent potential project setbacks? How would your strategy shift if you thoroughly evaluated the impact of every change?

Assess how proposed changes affect current permits. Some changes may need new permits or amendments, slowing the project and raising costs. Examine the impact of changes on property's design, structure and functionality. Evaluate feasibility, considering effects on construction timeline and budget. And provide a clear explanation of the potential consequences of changes such as delays, costs and risks ensuring the client comprehends the trade-offs involved.

Flexibility is key. How can offering alternatives keep the project on track while satisfying client needs? ? Creative solutions: How can proposing minor design tweaks avoid extensive re-permitting? ? Material substitutions: How does suggesting alternative materials balance cost and client vision? ? Feasibility checks: How can evaluating feasible changes maintain project momentum? What if the best solutions lie in the alternatives you offer?

If the requested changes are unfeasible or have a major project impact, propose alternative solutions that meet client concerns while aligning with existing permits and project limits. Recommend design features that can be modified post-project to meet client expectations without hindering current progress. And emphasize the benefits of the original design, showing how it aligns with goals and regulations. use visuals like renderings to illustrate the plan's value.

Always begin by acknowledging their concerns and showing a willingness to understand their vision, while clearly explaining the impact of changes on the project’s timeline, budget, and regulatory compliance. Provide alternative solutions that align closely with their desires without disrupting the approved design. Transparency and flexibility are key—work to find a balance between their requests and the constraints you’re under.

Negotiation is crucial. How can negotiating solutions balance client desires and project constraints? ? Mutual benefits: How does finding a middle ground enhance client satisfaction and project feasibility? ? Effective communication: How can clear dialogue during negotiations build trust and understanding? ? Long-term impact: How does considering the future effects of changes lead to better decisions? How would your approach change if every negotiation aimed for mutual success?

You are the Consultant. Consult, demonstrating the pros and cons for their changes including timelines and cost due to redesign, submittal and approvals. Educate them to their potential delays which ultimately cost them money... that's everybody's common language.

Maintain professionalism and patience when faced with unreasonable requested changes to effectively manage client relationships amidst differing opinions. Maintain client communication during the process, providing regular updates to build trust and keep them engaged in the project. Reassure the client that their satisfaction is vital, even if you can't fulfill all requests. Show commitment to the project for a positive relationship. And maintain a log of all discussions and decisions on changes to prevent confusion and ensure mutual understanding.