Self-Managing Home Renovation: Common Mistakes Done
A home remodeling or renovation project is not as easy as it may sound. Renovating a building is not simply all about how it will look or function, but most importantly you have to consider what kind of materials are utilized during the renovation, how are you going to deal with your suppliers and contractors, etc. These of course will be covered by the person who will supervise the project. Thus before a renovation project starts, one of the most vital decisions to be made is who will manage the project.
You can either employ a professional who will do the work or alternatively, you can handle the project yourself. If you opt 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 over the role of managing the renovation project themselves,
1. Poor Planning
Producing a good plan is a crucial part of your role as a project manager. The success of the project mostly depend on this. Your plan must include as much detail as possible. You have to regard planning for contingencies as well.
2. Poor Materials Management
Buying of the right materials at the right time is a large job during renovation. Think about this job properly, as it can be a cause of delay to your schedule. You can also acquire extra cost if you do not have your materials at the needed time.
3. Poor Record Keeping
File everything particularly things 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 trying to cut cost by disregarding a number of regulations 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 familiar 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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