Is your contractor ghosting you, or are you just not speaking their language?
Most interior designers know they need reliable contractors to grow their business, but few realize contractors are also sizing them up.
In this episode, Elizabeth Scruggs shares what makes contractors roll their eyes... and what makes them want to call you back. Whether you're a designer dreaming of launching a design-build firm or just tired of construction projects going sideways, this episode lays out the path forward with practical steps, stories, and no-fluff advice.
You’ll learn:
✅ Why finding contractors at the pro desk may be smarter than scouring Instagram.
✅ What builders are really evaluating when deciding to partner with a designer.
✅ The biggest mistake new design-build firms make, and how to avoid it.
✅ How to protect your business legally before the demo starts.
If you’re an interior designer looking to get more control, more confidence, and more respect from contractors, this is the episode that’s going to help you get there.
Listen now and start building the partnerships that elevate your entire business.
(00:00) Learning construction by doing: Elizabeth’s origin story.
(05:28) How designers can find and vet great contractors.
(12:19) The importance of setting expectations with trades.
(17:32) Legal and liability considerations for design-build firms.
(24:43) What contractors actually want from interior designers.
(30:33) Should you become your own general contractor?
About Elizabeth Scruggs
Elizabeth Scruggs is a licensed general contractor and the principal designer behind Superior Construction and Design, LLC, one of the only female-led design-build firms in Middle Tennessee. With over 30 years of hands-on experience and a national reputation as a speaker, author, and High Point Market Insider Tour co-host, Elizabeth brings unmatched insight into bridging the gap between construction and design. Her passion? Helping interior designers confidently step into the design-build space and build businesses they love, without sacrificing quality or control.
Instagram: @superiorconstructionanddesign
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