Description

Your contractor's job is to build—not to strategize. And when you hand over too much control, it can quietly cost you thousands.

In this episode of Return On Design, host Rachel Niederhofer shares why your contractor should never be your coach—and how to take back ownership of your renovation or investment project. Too often, homeowners and investors delegate decision-making to the wrong person, trusting their builder to act as strategist, designer, and project lead. The result? Wasted space, poor planning, and missed opportunities for return.

Rachel and Justin unpack how to step into your true role as the CEO of your own project—asking smarter questions, making informed decisions, and ensuring every dollar works toward your ROI, not your contractor's.

You'll learn:

• The key difference between a contractor's role and yours.
• How to ask better questions that lead to better outcomes.
• Why strategy—not speed or convenience—creates long-term value.
• How to balance collaboration without losing control.
• Real-life examples of design mistakes caused by misplaced trust.

Whether you're managing a flip, hiring trades for your dream home, or renovating for resale, this episode will teach you how to lead with clarity and protect your investment from day one.

👉 Follow Return On Design for more strategic renovation insights, and remember: you're not just a client—you're the CEO of your project.