Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: RFPs and developers

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Feb 20, 2008, at 6:27 AM, Louis-H. Campagna wrote:

> I like clear contracts in writing and I expect and demand diligence  
> and good faith from my business partners, or else I look somewhere  
> else.  Yet I very much hear and understand the other side of the  
> debate, that too much emphasis on "getting it in writing" can  
> actually lead to waste, maladaptation to needs, dissatisfaction, and  
> loosing out on good business opportunities.

Just to emphasize again - a contract is very different from an RFP. A  
"Request for Proposal" if a phishing expedition. You ask a variety of  
people for a proposal based on your specifications. You can send out  
RFPs when you know exactly what you need and can describe it in detail.

Few cohousing communities have any idea what to specify at the point  
that they are looking for a developer.

What do you want? How can you describe it in enough detail to trust  
the response to the RFP. If you told someone what you want and they  
gave it to you, could you be sure that you would be happy with it?

I think you need a developer to help you decide what you want. You  
need someone who will work with you instead of treating you like an  
interference in his or her work. Someone who will help you decide what  
you want balanced with what is possible. The best way to discover this  
is in talking to the person, but I would start with investigating  
qualifications.

You can judge qualifications by checking references and looking at  
finished projects. Talk to banks that have worked with the developer.  
Do they finish projects on time and are they financially responsible?  
Would the bank recommend them?

Gilda Iriarti who used to work for the Cohousing Company gave me this  
tip, "The best way to find a good developer is to ask a bank. They  
know if people can bring a project in on time and within budget. And  
if they have satisfied clients."

An inflexible, incompetent developer who does not have satisfied  
clients is unlikely to be able to bring projects in within budget and  
pay off the bank.

So I would start with making a list of qualified developers, check out  
references, and then talk to them. THEN you write a contract -- and  
put down your money. But you will never be able to specify everything.  
In the time it takes to build a large complex, things will change too  
much. The risk you take is the same as embarking on any other  
investment.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing,Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org