That's why we offer 7 ways to talk to your contractor if you have a dispute. Your initial reaction to a conflict could be anger. Don't speak ill of the contractor. Put the facts on paper before discussing the issues.
Being clear with yourself about project expectations will make it easier to have a conversation with your contractor about where the project went wrong. If you've had other conflicts before, don't include them in this discussion. Incorporating a previous problem into your current conversation can cause the other person to close out of frustration instead of having an open mind when it comes to solving your problems. Most problems between contractors and homeowners are due to a lack of communication and a lack of updates.
Too often, contractors get carried away with the details of the project and don't properly notify homeowners of daily progress and setbacks. While it's best to establish communication early on, if you have an increasingly worsening relationship with your contractor, resume communication and make sure everything is in writing. Texts and emails are great for this; even when you have verbal communication, tell the contractor that you're going to send an email recapping the conversation to make sure you're on the same page. This forces both of them to state their potential problems and can be consulted again if more problems arise.
Get ready by consulting your contract. Look for all important paper records. Write down your notes in advance so you don't forget to talk about something important. Listen carefully if the contractor explains anything.
Even if you're not an expert, you can offer suggestions. If something has made you angry, have this conversation after you've calmed down. Insults, tears, or other expressions of emotion make others feel uncomfortable. If other people feel uncomfortable, positive results and solutions are less likely to come up with.
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