Do These 10 Things to Keep Your Renovation on Schedule
Make sure your renovation goes smoothly with these key steps to sticking to a timeline
For a successful renovation project it’s crucial to plan ahead, control your budget and stay on schedule. Follow this guide to help avoid delays and keep your project on track.
2. Begin at the right time of year
If you begin work in the autumn, the weather will no doubt slow your project down. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t take that route if it’s when your chosen contractors are available, but do be prepared to modify your expectations. If you plan to live on site during renovations, it might be best to wait until early spring if you possibly can in order to minimise disruption. Whichever time of year you begin your project, you should always build additional time into your schedule so you can manage potential delays before they even happen.
If you begin work in the autumn, the weather will no doubt slow your project down. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t take that route if it’s when your chosen contractors are available, but do be prepared to modify your expectations. If you plan to live on site during renovations, it might be best to wait until early spring if you possibly can in order to minimise disruption. Whichever time of year you begin your project, you should always build additional time into your schedule so you can manage potential delays before they even happen.
3. Allocate jobs at the start
Make sure you assign responsibilities at the outset of a project, so that you can relax in the knowledge that everyone knows what they should be doing. It also avoids the need to micro-manage your contractors further down the line.
Above all, trust your builders or project manager and speak to them on a daily basis. Once you have commissioned your preferred team, you should maintain your confidence in their ability to complete the job you have hired them to do. Establishing a good channel of communication at the outset is key to a successful project outcome.
Make sure you assign responsibilities at the outset of a project, so that you can relax in the knowledge that everyone knows what they should be doing. It also avoids the need to micro-manage your contractors further down the line.
Above all, trust your builders or project manager and speak to them on a daily basis. Once you have commissioned your preferred team, you should maintain your confidence in their ability to complete the job you have hired them to do. Establishing a good channel of communication at the outset is key to a successful project outcome.
4. Choose the right builders
The right builders are not always the ones who give you the cheapest quote, or the ones who are available immediately. If a particular quote comes in cheaper than the others, you should ask yourself why first. Is it a quote for labour only? If so, bear in mind that materials for even a seemingly modest build can run into many thousands of pounds. Have the builders factored in the cost of jobs like laying floors and fitting kitchens? Don’t be afraid to ask for references, and a detailed, broken-down quote so you can compare potential contractors like-for-like.
The right builders are not always the ones who give you the cheapest quote, or the ones who are available immediately. If a particular quote comes in cheaper than the others, you should ask yourself why first. Is it a quote for labour only? If so, bear in mind that materials for even a seemingly modest build can run into many thousands of pounds. Have the builders factored in the cost of jobs like laying floors and fitting kitchens? Don’t be afraid to ask for references, and a detailed, broken-down quote so you can compare potential contractors like-for-like.
5. Avoid indecision
Changing your mind mid project, or simply not knowing what you want, will kill your schedule as surely as any other factor. Want to change the size of your windows? You’ll need to file an amendment to your Planning Permission. Even seemingly minor changes, such as changing the position of planned lighting or electrical points, will mean sub-contractors have to return to site. All these changes could have a knock-on effect for other trades, not to mention an increase in costs.
Changing your mind mid project, or simply not knowing what you want, will kill your schedule as surely as any other factor. Want to change the size of your windows? You’ll need to file an amendment to your Planning Permission. Even seemingly minor changes, such as changing the position of planned lighting or electrical points, will mean sub-contractors have to return to site. All these changes could have a knock-on effect for other trades, not to mention an increase in costs.
6. Stay in control of your budget
Maintain a laser focus on your end goal and avoid getting distracted by unnecessary items during the course of the build. Bear in mind that most projects end up costing more than was planned at the outset, so by factoring a contingency sum into your budget you can mitigate any nasty surprises. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 10 per cent of the project value as a contingency fund, or if the property is older or listed, 20 per cent is not unreasonable.
Talk to your contractor about details, such as light switches, sockets, radiators, taps and bathroom fittings. They may well include a figure for fittings within their quote, but if you want specific things (and it’s likely that you do), you need to communicate this.
Maintain a laser focus on your end goal and avoid getting distracted by unnecessary items during the course of the build. Bear in mind that most projects end up costing more than was planned at the outset, so by factoring a contingency sum into your budget you can mitigate any nasty surprises. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 10 per cent of the project value as a contingency fund, or if the property is older or listed, 20 per cent is not unreasonable.
Talk to your contractor about details, such as light switches, sockets, radiators, taps and bathroom fittings. They may well include a figure for fittings within their quote, but if you want specific things (and it’s likely that you do), you need to communicate this.
7. Plan ahead and schedule
Delayed deliveries are a huge headache during any project, but the fact is they still happen. Don’t rely on back-ordered items becoming available within your preferred time frame. Instead, allow a little give in your schedule to ensure everything is available when individual sub-contractors arrive on site, and speak to your builders well in advance so you are clear on who is ordering what. Obviously, they will take charge of most materials, but if they expect you to purchase the floor tiles, for example, then it’s your responsibility to order the correct amount and to ensure that the tiles arrive on time.
If you’re converting a Victorian house, tour this property for clever tips and advice
Delayed deliveries are a huge headache during any project, but the fact is they still happen. Don’t rely on back-ordered items becoming available within your preferred time frame. Instead, allow a little give in your schedule to ensure everything is available when individual sub-contractors arrive on site, and speak to your builders well in advance so you are clear on who is ordering what. Obviously, they will take charge of most materials, but if they expect you to purchase the floor tiles, for example, then it’s your responsibility to order the correct amount and to ensure that the tiles arrive on time.
If you’re converting a Victorian house, tour this property for clever tips and advice
8. Calculate your materials
You don’t want to over-order because you don’t want to waste money on surplus materials, right? Well, yes and no. What if you order all the paint for your project, but your decorator needs five per cent more than the quantity probably be a slightly different colour, which will affect the quality of the finish.
If you are ordering surface finishes, such as tiles, flooring or slates, you also need to factor in wastage. This is generally 10 per cent, but it can be as high as 20 per cent if you are using reclaimed materials.
You don’t want to over-order because you don’t want to waste money on surplus materials, right? Well, yes and no. What if you order all the paint for your project, but your decorator needs five per cent more than the quantity probably be a slightly different colour, which will affect the quality of the finish.
If you are ordering surface finishes, such as tiles, flooring or slates, you also need to factor in wastage. This is generally 10 per cent, but it can be as high as 20 per cent if you are using reclaimed materials.
9. Think twice about DIY
Don’t overestimate your abilities, or the time you have available. Unless you are very skilled or experienced at DIY, things will almost certainly take you longer than they would a professional. This is particularly true if, like many people, you only have evenings and weekends available to carry out the work. Better to stick to the day job and earn the money to pay for the professionals.
Don’t overestimate your abilities, or the time you have available. Unless you are very skilled or experienced at DIY, things will almost certainly take you longer than they would a professional. This is particularly true if, like many people, you only have evenings and weekends available to carry out the work. Better to stick to the day job and earn the money to pay for the professionals.
10. Plan for holidays
If your builders are planning a holiday mid-project, of course you need to know, but what happens if you plan to be away in the middle of a build? Who will be responsible for making decisions on site? In addition, factories in Europe often wind down for most of August, so once again, plan, plan and plan again for anything that could slow your project down.
How have you managed to keep your renovation project on schedule? Share your experiences in the Comments section.
If your builders are planning a holiday mid-project, of course you need to know, but what happens if you plan to be away in the middle of a build? Who will be responsible for making decisions on site? In addition, factories in Europe often wind down for most of August, so once again, plan, plan and plan again for anything that could slow your project down.
How have you managed to keep your renovation project on schedule? Share your experiences in the Comments section.
It’s all too easy to focus on the end goal – the exciting part, where you get to choose how everything will look. However, it’s essential to focus first on the unseen aspects of how your new home will actually function. Tackle vital fundamentals first, such as timber decay, new windows, repairs to the roof and guttering, a new boiler, rewiring, and any structural movement, to avoid problems (and delays) arising later in the project.
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