Welcome!
Craft Midpoint is your bite‑sized source of insight between our monthly project updates — delivered straight to your inbox. Think of it as your mid-month check-in, where we share a quick tip, story, or lesson from the building and lending world.
It’s all about keeping you connected, informed, and a step ahead — without the fluff.
Don’t Just Nod — Ask!
Diving into a new project — whether you’re building, lending, or partnering — often comes with a flood of details and decisions. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stay quiet, assuming things are covered.
But here’s the truth: the question you don’t ask can cost you.
On a recent project, we ran into a costly surprise — and it wasn’t due to carelessness.
Everything looked buttoned up. The scope seemed clear. We were working with someone who knew we were new to this specific phase of development. The contract included an un-itemized section of fine print stating they’d make the arrangements for certain materials/labor, and we’d cover the cost.
What we didn’t realize was that those arrangements came with significant price tags — none of which were broken out or estimated ahead of time.
We assumed that, given our inexperience, we’d be warned if any of those costs were going to be substantial. But that heads-up never came.
It wasn’t about bad intentions — just assumptions on both sides. And a reminder that vague language in contracts leaves room for expensive misunderstandings.
The takeaway? Ask early. Get specific. And when in doubt — clarify.
Clarity Begins with Asking the Right Questions
Conversely, sometimes the problem isn’t not asking — it’s not knowing what to ask.
At a seminar not long ago, the speaker ended by opening the floor for questions. Total silence — until one person finally stood up and asked:
“What questions should we be asking?”
That hit home.
How often does that happen — in meetings, on site, or during negotiations — when we don’t even realize there’s a better question on the table?
When you’re entering new territory — whether it’s a home renovation, your first build, or your first leap as a private lender — don’t let uncertainty stop you from digging deeper. Clarity isn’t annoying — it’s smart. And often, the right people will respect you more for asking.
Lesson learned: Ask early. Ask often. Ask even if you’re unsure.
You don’t need to know everything — you just need to know enough to keep your footing solid.
So what should you ask before diving into a project?
Whether you’re building for the first time or just trying to avoid unexpected costs, here are some smart questions worth asking — even if you don’t know what you’re looking for yet.
