I've definitely been there—subs who can build a masterpiece but stumble when explaining it. But honestly, sometimes trying to bridge that communication gap yourself can backfire. I've found that stepping in too much can unintentionally undermine their confidence or make them feel micromanaged, even if that's not your intention.
What I've done instead is prep the homeowner ahead of time by setting clear expectations. Something like, "Hey, just a heads-up, our electrician is fantastic at what he does but not always the clearest communicator. If anything isn't clear, just let me know and I'll help clarify." That way, you're not stepping on your sub's toes mid-conversation, but you're also giving the homeowner permission to come back to you later.
Another thing—sometimes the subs themselves appreciate a quick "translation" after the fact. I'll casually follow up with the homeowner after the sub has left, asking if everything made sense or if they had any questions. It's a subtle way to smooth things over without hovering during the conversation itself.
Also, one mild disagreement: trusting your gut is great, yeah, but sometimes your gut can also lead you astray if you rely on it too heavily. I've had situations where my gut reaction was impatience or frustration with a sub, but after stepping back and giving it some thought, I realized the issue was more my own misunderstanding or impatience than their actual communication skills. Just something to consider—gut feelings aren't always foolproof.
Anyway, that's just what's worked for me. Curious if others have found different approaches helpful.
"I'll casually follow up with the homeowner after the sub has left, asking if everything made sense or if they had any questions."
Good call—I do something similar. Usually I frame it as me double-checking that we're all on the same page rather than implying the sub didn't explain well. Also, I've found humor can help ease tension; a quick joke afterward like "he speaks fluent electrician, sometimes I need subtitles too..." often smooths things over nicely.
That's a smart approach, especially the humor bit...it really helps defuse any awkwardness. Do you ever find homeowners hesitant to admit they didn't fully understand something the sub explained? I've noticed sometimes people nod along just to avoid looking confused or feeling embarrassed. So, instead of directly asking if they understood, I'll casually ask something like, "Did he mention anything about how this might affect your timeline or budget?" That usually opens the door for them to voice any concerns without feeling like they're admitting confusion.
Also, I've found that acknowledging my own past misunderstandings can help homeowners feel more comfortable speaking up. Something like, "Honestly, the first time I heard about this stuff, it went right over my head..." seems to put people at ease. Have you tried anything similar?
"Honestly, the first time I heard about this stuff, it went right over my head..."
Haha, I've definitely used a similar line myself. It really helps homeowners relax when they realize they're not alone in feeling confused. Another thing I've noticed is that sometimes people hesitate because they're worried about sounding critical of the sub's work. So I'll casually frame questions like, "Did you feel comfortable with how he explained the next steps?" or "Any parts you'd like me to clarify a bit more?" Seems to help them open up without feeling confrontational or embarrassed...
I've found that homeowners often hesitate because they're worried about stepping on toes or sounding picky. Had a client once who clearly wasn't happy with the tile work but kept saying things like, "Maybe it's just me..." or "I'm probably being too particular." I finally asked, "Is there something specific that's bothering you about the layout?" and suddenly it all came out. Sometimes just giving them permission to voice concerns openly makes all the difference... Have you noticed certain questions that consistently help people open up?
