Hot take: A client's idle soundproofing comment improved my bid process

Asking about noise issues upfront saves me from expensive revisions.

3 comments

3 Comments

Asking that question early is a game changer. I added a line about noise concerns to my initial client questionnaire. It changes the whole plan from the start, sometimes means suggesting different materials right away. Catching it before any drawings are done saves so much time and avoids those awkward change orders later. Clients seem to appreciate it too, like you're solving a problem they forgot to mention. It just makes the whole job run smoother.

the_val5d ago

Do you find clients are more honest when it's a checkbox or an open-ended question? I've noticed that a checkbox for 'noise concerns' gets checked fast, but an open box can reveal specific issues (like a toddler's room above the living room). That early catch lets you suggest soundproofing drywall or different flooring right away. It really does smooth out the whole process.

the_kevin17h ago

Yeah, the checkbox thing is interesting. I mean, I get why you'd use it, but I've found that just having a box can make people skip over it if they're in a hurry. What worked for me was making it a short sentence they have to fill, like "What's the one noise you'd love to block out?" It sounds silly, but it gets them to actually picture the problem. I got "upstairs toilet flush" once, which totally changed where we put the insulation. A simple checkmark might have missed that.

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