What is a winning team?
The true meaning of teamwork is working together towards a common goal.
Relationships
"I can say first hand it is miserable working on a project where you are arguing with the GC every day. It does not need to be that way and the GC is critical to the success of a project. Some GC's simply hate the architect and vice versa."
The process for a franchise concept typically starts with corporate approving the location and giving a green light to the franchisee. This is when the franchisee and the design team work hand and hand until the plans are submitted to the city. It is at this point the project goes to bid and the GC's get involved. I can say first hand it is miserable working on a project where you are arguing with the GC every day. It does not need to be that way and the GC is critical to the success of a project. Some GC's simply hate the architect and vice versa. During the bid phase I think it is a great opportunity to have a call with the GC's and discuss the issues during the design process and why the design team used certain design measures to complete the project.
Letting the contractors know why things were done a certain way will educate him or her and avoid the comments that they will ultimately have with the owner. Remember the design team and the GC are critical for the success of the project. My experience shows that over the years the GC can bring great success for the project and the relationship can last for years if not decades. The GC also knows that they will ultimately need the design team for something during the build out process.