Couldn't agree more about clear expectations. When we first started building our home, I didn't set boundaries clearly enough... ended up getting texts at midnight about paint colors. Lesson learned—communication upfront saves sanity later.
Setting clear expectations definitely helps, but I'm curious—did you find that the midnight texts were due to unclear boundaries or more because of the contractor's working style? I've noticed some contractors genuinely think they're being helpful by updating clients at odd hours. Maybe clarifying preferred communication times upfront could help? I've had success with setting specific check-in points during projects... keeps everyone aligned without the late-night surprises.
I get your point about setting clear check-ins, but honestly, some contractors just have their own rhythm. Had one guy who genuinely thought midnight updates showed dedication... took a friendly chat to gently steer him toward daytime hours. Boundaries help, but personality plays a big role too.
Yeah, totally get that—had a plumber once who'd text me detailed pipe diagrams at 2am. Super thorough guy, but man, timing was rough... You're right though, gentle nudges usually do the trick.
"Super thorough guy, but man, timing was rough..."
Haha, I feel your pain. Had a similar experience with an electrician who'd email me wiring schematics at midnight—great info, but not exactly bedtime reading material. One thing I've found helpful is setting clear communication expectations upfront. When I hire someone now, I usually say something like, "Feel free to send detailed updates or diagrams anytime, but if it's late or non-urgent, email works best so I can check it in the morning." Most professionals appreciate knowing your preferences ahead of time.
Another tip: if you do get those late-night texts or emails and they're waking you up, consider using your phone's "Do Not Disturb" mode. You can set exceptions for family or emergencies while silencing everything else. That way you still get all the detailed info (which is honestly great to have), just without the sleep interruption...
