286. The Pre-Construction Conversation That Determines Whether Your Client Trusts You

Most designers skip the conversation that determines whether a client actually trusts them through the hard parts of construction. And by the time they realize it, they're already mid-project trying to unwind frustration that could have been avoided entirely.

In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly what to cover before a single wall comes down — timelines, contingency, allowances, change orders, daily disruption, and the four emotional stages every construction client moves through. Not as a checklist. As a conversation that builds real trust from the very first call.

You'll learn:

Why your first client call is already doing two jobs at once What to say about money, timelines, and change orders before they become problems The four emotional stages every client hits — and how naming them changes everything

Mentioned in this episode:

Join The Designer's Edge waitlist here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/construction-management-interior-designers

Grab Your Free Script Guide here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/push-back-script-handout

Access the full video interview with Elana Steele of Steele Appliance here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/appliance

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/pre-construction-client-conversation