Think about the strongest relationship in your life. Maybe it’s a spouse, a best friend, or a sibling who’s always had your back. What makes it work? Here are some relationship building tips to improve your relationship throughout the build.
Chances are, you communicate clearly. You respect each other’s strengths. You share values, and when challenges come up (because they always do), you trust each other to work through it.
Now imagine working with someone on one of the most complex, emotionally loaded, and financially significant projects of your life, and not having that foundation of trust.
It’s doomed to fail, and it’s really no different when it comes to building a custom home.
I’ve seen so many good folks stuck sitting with unfinished homes, and it’s almost always because this one crucial relationship was unstable from the very beginning.
Your Builder’s Relationship With Their Trades
The majority of people assume the most critical relationship is between them and their builder (although it is important). In reality, it’s the one between the builder and their trades.
So much so, it influences how well your home is built, whether timelines are met, whether quality is consistent, and whether the experience is something you enjoy or barely survive.
But if this relationship is rocky, tense, or misaligned, your project will suffer. Sometimes in small ways, sometimes in ways that cost tens of thousands.
When your builder doesn’t have strong, loyal, long-term relationships with their trades, you end up with:
- Communication breakdowns
- Finger pointing when something goes wrong
- Shoddy workmanship
- Missed deadlines
- Unnecessary stress (for everyone)
I don’t believe anyone deserves to endure that kind of experience.
That’s why, before you sign anything or start picking out finishes, I’d encourage you to dig deeper.
Ask about the crew behind the scenes. The people swinging the hammers, pulling the wires, and laying the tile. Because if the builder’s relationship with their trades isn’t rock solid, you’re stepping into quicksand.
There are three reasons that relationship matters more than most folks realize:
Reason #1: The Trades Control the Quality
You can have the best design in the world, but if the people building it don’t take pride in their work, it won’t matter. The quality of your home lives and dies by the hands that build it. And those hands? They belong to the trades.
When a builder’s trade team is loyal, experienced, and knows exactly what’s expected, you get consistency. You get craftsmanship. You get peace of mind. And that’s something you can feel in every square foot.
Reason #2: The Trades Drive the Timeline
Good trades are worth their weight in gold. They show up when they say they will, they work efficiently, and they don’t cut corners or leave a mess for someone else to clean up.
That kind of rhythm only comes from long-standing relationships. When everyone on site has worked together for years, the job flows smoothly. But when they haven’t? Well, that’s when schedules slip, frustration builds, and your move-in date becomes a moving target.
Reason #3: The Trades Reflect the Builder’s Values
You can learn a lot about a builder by looking at who they choose to work with. If their trades show up late, leave early, and don’t care about the little details, you best believe that reflects on the builder, too.
But when a builder surrounds themselves with folks who respect the work, respect your home, and respect the process… that tells you everything you need to know.
What a Strong Builder-Trade Relationship Building Looks Like
At Victor Myers Custom Homes, most of our trade partners have been with us for over 20 years. That means when they show up to your site, they already know what we expect, and they take pride in delivering it. We know them by name. We know their crews. And they know how much we care about getting it right for our clients.
That kind of trust isn’t built overnight. It’s built over decades of showing up, doing the right thing, communicating well, and holding each other accountable.
When you have that kind of relationship, the whole project benefits. You get:
- Higher quality results
- Fewer delays
- Smoother communication
- Faster problem-solving
- Trades who treat your home like it’s their own
Here’s what to ask your builder before you sign anything
- How long have your trade partners been with you?
- Can I visit one of your active job sites?
- How do you handle quality control?
- What happens when things go wrong?
These are the questions every build should start with. And if your builder stumbles over the answers, or can’t give you a straight one, that’s a sign you should keep looking.
Want to Avoid the #1 Mistake Most Homeowners Don’t See Coming?
At the end of the day, you’re not just hiring a builder. You’re hiring their crew, their relationships, and their reputation. And that’s why this one behind-the-scenes connection makes all the difference in the world.
Because when trades feel respected, trusted, and proud to be part of the team, it shows in the work. And when your builder treats their trades well, they’re far more likely to treat you well, too.
Of course, there’s so much more that goes into building a custom home than what we’ve covered here today. That’s why I’ve created this free guide for you to download:
The Texan Home Building Playbook
Inside you’ll discover the 8 most common (and costly) traps to avoid when building a custom home in Texas, and how to make sure you get the home you actually want, with none of the stress you don’t.
Download your free copy here and start your build on the right foundations.
Read about the journey of Victor. Victor Myers Custom Homes proudly partners with NAHB, TAB, and Dallas BA.
