Improving Relationships with Your Trades

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Improving Relationships with Your Trades

TNT PODCAST: Episode #3

Click on the video below to watch the podcast interview with my GC and cabinet maker.

Prefer to listen on the go? Click here to download this episode.

Show Notes

Building solid relationships with our trades is essential for running a successful Interior Design business. Improving the relationship between designer and contractor is the focus of this episode of the TNT podcast.

Unfortunately, Interior designers generally have a reputation of either being too demanding and controlling or uneducated and inexperienced – sometimes both!

Conversely, as Design Professionals, we feel that contractors and trades typically do not welcome us onto a project nor our creative ideas for design. It can also be a concern for a designer that if they are not overseeing every step of the project, then original design plans may be altered and sometimes trades may even try to squeeze the designer out of the project completely.

These are valid concerns for both parties and today I sit down with two of my contractors to discuss The Naked Truth about this extremely important topic. Working collaboratively and having a mutually respectful working relationship is mandatory for everyone to show solidarity and work as a team.

Walter Claire Shane — From left to right: Walter Ferreria, Claire Jefford and Shane Ritcey

Guest Bio’s

Watler Ferreria @summitdevelopmentgroup

Walter Ferreira is the founder of Summit Development Group. He is a general contractor whose company has been servicing southern Ontario for over 27 yrs. They facilitate all aspects of a project, whether it be for residential or commercial renovation, remodelling, custom builds and even outdoor landscaping projects. Walter’s team combines quality workmanship and knowledge that provide clients with unmatched service.

I invite you to check out his company’s website and his Instagram account to see some of his fantastic work.

Shane Ritcey @ritceycustomcabinetry

Shane Ritcey is a small business owner who has been in operation since 2008. A business built around customer relations and quality work. Ritcey Custom Cabinetry prides itself on rising to any design challenge.

I encourage you to visit Shane’s website, it shows some of his stunning craftmanship, as does his Instagram account.