A home remodeling or renovation project is not as simple as it may sound. Renovating a building is not just all about how it will look or function, but most importantly you have to consider what kind of materials are used during the renovation, how are you going to work with your suppliers and contractors, etc. These of course will be handled by the person who will manage the project. Thus before a renovation project starts, one of the most critical decisions to be made is who will manage the project.
You can either engage a professional who will do the work or alternatively, you can supervise the project yourself. If you choose to manage the work yourself, make sure that you have sufficient experience to deal with this. According to Gail La Grouw, the following are some common mistakes done by owners who have decided to take on the role of managing the renovation project themselves,
1. Inadequate Planning
Creating a good plan is a crucial part of your role as a project manager. The success of the project largely depend on this. Your plan must include as much detail as possible. You have to consider planning for contingencies as well.
2. Poor Materials Management
Buying of the appropriate materials at the right time is a huge task during renovation. Think about this job properly, as it can be a cause of delay to your schedule. You can also acquire additional cost if you do not have your materials at the right time.
3. Poor Record Keeping
Lodge everything especially matters that have to do with finances. Record keeping must be completed everyday. You surely will miss something in your list if you do it in an inconsistent way. Record keeping will also let you know precisely where you are in terms of time and dollars against the plan specification.
4. Not Managing The Work Site
Most subcontractors are seeking to cut cost by disregarding a number of rules and workplace safety items. This is a bad thing of course. Make sure that there is a proper insurance for their area of work.
5. Poor Communication
As home owners are not that knowledgeable with terms being used for renovation, miscommunication can happen along the way. Make sure that when you do not understand things, clear it up, but never loose your authority in front of your contractors of course.
6. Poor Change Management Control
All changes made during the renovation process must be documented and sign off.
7. Not Keeping Check of the Budget
Keep an eye with your budget, as most projects will overrun the initial estimate, make sure to add some percentage of your budget for your contingency plans.
You can either engage a professional who will do the work or alternatively, you can supervise the project yourself. If you choose to manage the work yourself, make sure that you have sufficient experience to deal with this. According to Gail La Grouw, the following are some common mistakes done by owners who have decided to take on the role of managing the renovation project themselves,
1. Inadequate Planning
Creating a good plan is a crucial part of your role as a project manager. The success of the project largely depend on this. Your plan must include as much detail as possible. You have to consider planning for contingencies as well.
2. Poor Materials Management
Buying of the appropriate materials at the right time is a huge task during renovation. Think about this job properly, as it can be a cause of delay to your schedule. You can also acquire additional cost if you do not have your materials at the right time.
3. Poor Record Keeping
Lodge everything especially matters that have to do with finances. Record keeping must be completed everyday. You surely will miss something in your list if you do it in an inconsistent way. Record keeping will also let you know precisely where you are in terms of time and dollars against the plan specification.
4. Not Managing The Work Site
Most subcontractors are seeking to cut cost by disregarding a number of rules and workplace safety items. This is a bad thing of course. Make sure that there is a proper insurance for their area of work.
5. Poor Communication
As home owners are not that knowledgeable with terms being used for renovation, miscommunication can happen along the way. Make sure that when you do not understand things, clear it up, but never loose your authority in front of your contractors of course.
6. Poor Change Management Control
All changes made during the renovation process must be documented and sign off.
7. Not Keeping Check of the Budget
Keep an eye with your budget, as most projects will overrun the initial estimate, make sure to add some percentage of your budget for your contingency plans.
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