WASHINGTON, Iowa — In an industry where timelines, budgets and expectations often collide, one Iowa builder says the difference between a smooth project and a stressful one comes down to a simple but often overlooked factor: communication.
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Home construction involves a wide range of moving parts, from early design conversations to final finishes. According to Statler Construction Inc., clear and consistent communication between builder and client plays a critical role in navigating those complexities.
“I'd say it is super important in construction,” Jeremy Statler of Statler Construction, Inc said about communication. “Communication, with anything in life, is always one of the biggest challenges, and that's something we put a lot of focus on to help as much as possible.”
From the outset, conversations help establish expectations and prevent misunderstandings that could derail a project later. Builders often must balance a client’s vision with practical constraints such as cost, site conditions and structural feasibility.
Statler said one of the most important steps is ensuring clients understand what is realistic before construction begins.
“It's a big process. Of course, I want to do what they want to do, but I also want to be realistic. I don't want to get their hopes all up on this certain size or style or whatever,” Statler said. “If it's just not realistic, it's wasting their time. I don't want to get them all excited about something that they can't do. It's best to sit down and just talk through it and hear what they're looking for.”
Budget discussions are typically among the first and most critical conversations. Establishing financial boundaries early allows both parties to align on achievable goals and avoid costly revisions later.
“Staying on people's budget is always a challenge,” said Statler, who has been in the construction business since 1997. “Everybody's got dreams and wants certain things, and it's my job to make it happen, if I can, or try and let them know ahead of time that this isn't going to meet where you told me you want to be.”
Clients approach projects with varying levels of preparedness. Some arrive with detailed plans, while others bring only a general idea — sometimes sketched informally.
“I've had people that, they say, draw it out on a napkin. I've literally had plans drawn out on a napkin,” Statler said. “We have a lot of plans that we have built but other plans that we have that we can start from. It's always good to give ideas.”
Beyond budgets and floor plans, communication also shapes design decisions that affect long-term comfort and usability. Factors such as home orientation, sunlight exposure and site layout can significantly influence daily living.
“If it's possible, it's a lot nicer to have the deck on the east side of the house,” Statler said. “So, in the evening, when you're home from work and you go outside, you're sitting more in the shade of the house, then on the west side of the house, where the sun's blaring down and too hot to sit out there.”
Builders must also consider how a home fits within its environment, particularly in rural areas where land characteristics vary widely.
“Fitting the house to the land is an important part, especially if they're building on a piece of ground that they plan to be there for a long time,” Statler said.
While some homeowners prioritize long-term living, others may be less focused on longevity depending on location and housing type.
“People that build in Iowa City, that are building in these subdivisions, they're probably not thinking about the longevity,” Statler said. “Might not be as big of a deal to somebody, so I try to find out if that's an important factor.”
From groundbreaking through final completion — a process that typically takes five to six months — consistent communication helps manage expectations, reduce errors and keep projects on track.
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“I've got to be able to build that trust with the customer, so that they know that I have their best interest in mind,” Statler said. “I try as hard as I can to make the processes as easy as possible and enjoyable. A lot of that is just spending a little bit more time, preferably up front, with them, and to find out what they want so we can make a lot of those decisions.”
Ultimately, Statler said the goal is not just to build houses, but to create a positive experience for homeowners.
“That's kind of the goal, is to make it a fun process,” Statler said about home construction.
“Building a home, it's very rewarding. I love working with people. Every home is different. Every job that I do is different. So, I'm never doing the same thing. Work with people and take something that you know was their idea and make it a reality, something that hopefully, that they love and live in for a long time.”
Originally reported by Giovanni Coronel in Southeast Iowa Union.
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