How To Project Manage a House Renovation

Many of you may think that managing a house renovation is a challenge. Well, you are not wrong. It can be overwhelming and sometimes complicated. However, managing your house renovation will provide you with many benefits, such as full creative control and mitigated renovation costs.

This is why, before jumping into the deep waters and deciding to be your project manager, you must first be educated on their functions and the responsibilities they have to bear.

In this article, we will be thoroughly covering the different aspects of being a project manager to help you decide whether you are capable of doing it or you should get someone to do it for you.

What is the Function of a Project Manager?

Typically, project managers are responsible for the execution of drawings, designs, and the actual building processes to deliver a finished home within a specific timeline. They also make homeowners’ lives more comfortable by making sure their budget is followed.

Project managers are also accountable for coordinating with the different teams involved in the property renovation project. These individuals can include historic building specialists, structural engineers, tree consultants, ecologists, and archaeologists.

Project management also means that you ensure all the necessary documents for building control are ready, and the site is always conducive for what is intended to be done for the day.

This means that you have to visit the site continually when renovating. You need to be able to manage your usual daily commitments, build site, and work quality.

So, if you plan to project manage your home renovation, this is a fraction of what you are expected to do.

What Order Should You Renovate a House?

Before doing any home renovation, you must have a general idea of the steps involved in the process. Furthermore, as a project manager, this is something that you have to follow to strictly stick to the budget and timeline.

Here is the ideal order of how a house renovation project should progress:

1. Finalise renovation plans.
2. Repair existing structural issues.
3. Waterproof the property as moisture and leakage can be challenging and expensive issues to face.
4. Strip or demolish segments that have to be removed.
5. Execute the renovation design.
6. Install plumbing and electrics.
7. Finish the walls.
8. Clean dust and other building construction residues. You can check out maid2match for your cleaning needs.
9. Decorate.

Each home renovation may be different from the others because of different circumstances. This is why, as a project manager, you must be prepared to handle setbacks along the way.

How Do You Manage A Remodelling Project?

There can be several pitfalls for project management, especially when it comes to the early planning stages and if you are a beginner.

Here are the general ways to manage a renovation project:

Invest in Proper Planning

The first thing to be done in any house renovation is to have a proper plan. This plan will be used as a communication tool with the builders so that they understand what you want to be done and how you want it to be executed.

The planning must include written specifications and visual plans. Also, it must include obtaining the necessary permits from local governments for renovating a property.

i.e. should your house opt for gas-free heating or the traditional route like fuel source? Or perhaps a renewable option.

Make Realistic Estimates

Project managers should also oversee cost estimation. The estimates must be realistic to the outcome that you wish to achieve, and it would be better if there is an allocated emergency fund for unforeseen costs as well.

Select Vendors

As a project manager, you need to make sure that you find the highest quality materials at the lowest prices. It will help if you have a network in the construction field so that you get insider deals and discounts.

Also, this applies in selecting the contractor who will be constructing your renovation. You must find someone who has a good history with other clients and high-quality skills.

Oversee Contracts

When you are renovating a house, it involves a lot of working pieces such as the building contractor and electric and plumbing services. You have to make sure that there is a comprehensive contract for these services to ensure the quality of work and commitment to the agreed-upon timeline.

How Much Contingency Should I have When Remodelling?

When renovating a property such as a house, there can be many hidden costs. These may be from moisture or structural damages. To prepare for these, you must allocate a contingency budget.

However, you may be wondering how much to allocate as a contingency budget, right?. Well, ideally, it should be 15–20 per cent of your total renovation project budget.

If you are renovating a property that is bigger and has a more intricate design and build, it would be better to have at least 30 per cent contingency. The same percentage should also apply if you are building or renovating a bathroom.

Do not worry as not all contingency budgets will be spent, especially if everything goes according to the original plan. It is just better to be prepared rather than having the possibility of shutting down the building site due to insufficient finances, which will only cost you more later on.

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Final Thoughts

There are a lot of responsibilities on the shoulders of a project manager. Overseeing building work, design, planning, and cost can be a real challenge.

However, doing this by yourself also helps you make sure that you are 100 per cent involved in each progress. Along the way, after all the work, you will surely have a different level of fulfilment in you.

Hopefully, the things mentioned above have given you a clear idea of what it takes to lead the project management of a property for renovation.

If you decide to be your project manager, be prepared for a lot of responsibilities even before the actual building process begins. But, if you can afford to do so, it will save you a lot of time and headaches along the way.

Renovation