Project Management for a renovation project

I’m sure we have all seen at least one renovation show where in thirty minutes to one hour, a space has been completely transformed. Right? Well, it just doesn’t happen with a snap of a couple of fingers. So what exactly does our Project Management consist of?

When the design of the space is finalized and the pretty has all been selected, the Project Management Phase begins

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STEP 1 - Obtaining quotes

When we have the design plan completed it’s time to bring in our team of trusted trades to bid on the work to be carried out. Prior to the trades getting to the job site, we prepare the drawings for our trades so they are very clear on what scope of work we are looking for.

Trade Plans

The plans that we provide at our Trade Day are not construction plans. We provide the construction documents for the site when we start the project.

STEP 2 - COMPILING THE QUOTES

We typically get our trade quotes within one to two weeks of our trade day. I then take all of the trade quotes and start creating the working investment budget. I also begin to compile the scope of work into a Renovation Proposal for our clients. While I am pulling the numbers and the wording together, it provides me the opportunity to ensure no trade has missed anything. I try my best to not have surprises during a project!

Renovation Proposal

It is in this package that we provide our client the scope of work that each trade will carry out. This proposal also will include the total investment budget for the project.

It is at this time where we may make changes and tweaks to the product or the design plan to ensure our clients are comfortable with the investment they will soon be making.

STEP 3 - CREATE THE CONSTRUCTION CALENDAR

Once we finalize the design plan and we know there are no more changes, I create a Construction Calendar. Each trade provides me with the days they need for rough in as well as for final installation. This is a phase where I feel like I’m herding cats. I typically start with our cabinet maker and their availability, then I turn to our tile setter. From there, I spread out to the other trades who typically have a bit more flexibility with their schedules. We never start a project knowing that there would be two weeks with no one being on site. While we like to have an aggressive calendar, we also do not compromise on the work that is being carried out.

Our Renovation Calendar

We plan out our projects so that not only do our clients know who is coming, but our trades know who follows them.

STEP 4 - CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

For me, this is the most important document we have prior to starting a project. It is in this long, and slightly wordy document, where we list the entire scope of the project as well as our expectations. Prior to this stage, we often make tweaks and changes and things can get lost in the shuffle. This is our building guide and the list is onsite at all times. This is the stage where the list is finalized.

Does that mean that there can’t be changes along the way? Yes, there certainly can BUT those changes are considered Change Orders. A Change Order requires seperate paperwork and tracking.

Our Progress Payment schedule for the project is also listed in this contract.

One thing I would like to point out is that our contract is to protect both our clients and ourselves. Every expectation is listed so there should be no surprises.

STEP 5 - ORDERING PRODUCT

This is where the fun (or not so much fun begins). Once we receive the renovation deposit, we start purchasing the pretty and the ugly (construction materials). Orders are placed, payed for, and tracked. The tracking is not the fun part but important to keep straight. My personal preference it to ensure the product is not sent to site too early. There is no point in having trades step over material when they don’t need to.

Who knew?

We always have our tubs delivered early to dry fit for rough-in plumbing. While most come with a template of some-sort, nothing beats the real thing in place.

STEP 6 - WORK BEGINS

It takes five steps to get to this stage. This is the most exciting for me as all of the work put into planning has started. But we can’t put our feet up and eat bon-bons. No, no.

When each trade starts, I like to be onsite to ensure that there are no questions with the elevation drawings. I also like to see each trade as I love hearing updates on their families, etc. I also have a Site Supervisor who is onsite during construction. Sherman is the one who my clients will see the most. While Sherman is onsite, I am working on designs for the next projects and organizing the next projects that are set to start.

I am also tracking orders for all the ‘pretty’ and ensuring everything gets to site on time.

THE END RESULT - THE WHY

Trust me, there are times where I think to myself, ‘What the hell am I doing this for?” Those thoughts do not come often, but I would be lying if I said I have not thought it from time to time. From chasing orders, to dealing with back orders….it can get tiring.

I am truly blessed to have amazing clients. There has only ever been one project where I wished we would have walked away from the toxic environment. While that still leaves a sour taste in my mouth, I need to remember all of our wonderful clients who we have met, and continue to keep in contact with well after the project is completed.

We completed this project while our clients were away. How great to leave with an old kitchen and come back to a new one!

Thinking of a renovation or a new build? We hope you will reach out here to start the conversation.