How do I hand over my masonry company’s relationships with architects and builders?

Make a list of the architects, builders and specifiers who send you work. Next to each name, note what they care about: finish, schedule, price, or help solving detail problems. These notes are the real value you hand over, more than the phone numbers.

Then plan the introductions. Bring the buyer to site meetings and job walks, and let the other side see the buyer deciding things. A short joint call or lunch can help, but working together on a real problem builds more trust. Agree on which relationships you will hand over first.

Think about how long you will stay involved. Many sale agreements include a transition period, and your lawyer can advise on what to put in writing. Be open about any customer who might not stay, and do not promise what you cannot deliver. Keep the staff in the loop as well. Employees who know the clients can help the buyer settle in and avoid mixed messages. Be honest about where the relationship rests on you personally. If an architect values your eye for detail, say so, and show how the buyer or a senior mason can carry that role. Pretending the connection is institutional will not survive the first difficult project.

Key takeaways

• Write down what each architect and builder values.
• Introduce the buyer on live projects, not just by email.
• Agree a transition role with your lawyer in writing.