Self-Managing Home Renovation: Common Mistakes Done

by Emily Lim on February 9, 2010

A home remodelling 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 significantly you have to consider what kind of materials are used 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 important decisions to be made is who will manage the project.

You can either hire a professional who will do the work or alternatively, you can manage 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

Producing a good plan is a important 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

Purchasing of the appropriate materials at the right time is a large job during renovation. Think about this task properly, as it can be a cause of delay to your schedule. You can also incur additional cost if you do not have your materials at the right time.

3. Poor Record Keeping

File everything especially matters that have to do with finances. Record keeping must be done everyday. You certainly will overlook 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 attempting 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 familiar with terms being used for renovation, miscommunication can happen along the way. Make sure that when you do not understand things, clarify it, but never loose your confidence 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

Watch your budget, as most projects will overrun the initial estimate, make sure to add some percentage of your budget for your contingency plans.

Learn more about Home Renovation Tips and the best Renovation Singapore Contractors from our list most recommended renovation and interior designing companies.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks

Comments on this entry are closed.