The secrets to a successful home renovation lies in the following three areas: good planning prior to beginning construction, open and continued communication, and the involvement of a dedicated project manager.
Planning Before the Hammer Hits
Before starting a long car ride, would you begin by simply getting in the vehicle and driving off? Probably not, you would map out the route ahead of time. Doing the same type of preparation for a full-home renovation is equally important.
Prior to beginning construction, you will meet with your contractor to discuss and finalize all of the details regarding your renovation project. The material to be used will be determined, the location of electrical outlets will be decided upon, and how you envision the new layout working will be discussed. Although these are minor decisions compared to many others, they significantly impact the overall appearance of your newly renovated home.
Additionally, a well-planned renovation allows you to avoid unexpected expenses. Your contractor will spend time to fully evaluate the structure of your home and identify any possible problems that may occur during the renovation. Perhaps, there is older wiring that requires replacement, or the foundation of your home needs additional support. Identifying these issues during the planning phase is much less expensive than finding them while the renovation is underway.
Pre-construction planning will allow you to develop a realistic budget and timeline for your renovation project. No one likes to hear that a three-month renovation project will end up taking six months; however, knowing the actual timeframe prior to commencing construction reduces your anxiety levels.
Ultimately, a planned renovation provides for fewer interruptions, less wasted funds and reduced tension for both you and your family.
Communication is Key
Renovating your home is extremely stressful. You are living in a construction area, and you have to make numerous decisions as you navigate the renovation process, which can include significant financial investments. The last thing you need to deal with is to feel uninformed regarding what is occurring with your renovation.
Communication is critical during a renovation project. When your contractor communicates effectively with you, the process runs much smoother. You should receive regular updates regarding the progress of the renovation project, including any decisions that require input from you, and any problems that arise.
Effective communication is not merely providing status reports; it is allowing you to express yourself and being listened to. Have you spent years imagining your new home? Do you have specific visions regarding the features and design elements of your new home? Your contractor should listen to your ideas and assist you in bringing them to fruition. When you can openly express your ideas and concerns, your renovated home will reflect your true desires.
Ineffective communication can lead to costly errors. For example, you had agreed upon tile flooring in your new home, but your contractor installed hardwood floors instead. That is a very costly mistake that could have easily been avoided by communicating with each other. Effective communication among all parties involved in the renovation project eliminates costly missteps.
Regular updates during the renovation process will also enable you to remain within budget. If an unforeseen issue arises that may increase costs, you will need to be informed immediately so that you can make an educated decision. You may choose to proceed with the new plan, or you may decide on an alternative approach. Regardless of the path you choose, you will be empowered to make an informed decision because you possess the necessary information.
The Difference-Maker: Your Dedicated Project Manager
A dedicated project manager is essentially your guide during the renovation process. This is not someone managing twenty other projects at the same time; this is your project manager, solely responsible for guiding you through the entire construction process.
A dedicated project manager builds a relationship with you from the initial meeting to the final walk-through of your renovated home. They learn what is most important to you. They understand your taste, budget, and concerns. When issues arise during the renovation process, your project manager has knowledge of how you prefer to address them.
Consider your project manager to be a translator. Your project manager translates your ideas and visions into directives for the construction personnel. They translate complex technical aspects of the construction process into language that you can easily understand. They serve as the liaison between your vision and the physical manifestation of that vision.
A dedicated project manager also saves you time. Rather than contacting multiple sub-contractors to inquire about their status, or coordinating the schedules of various contractors, you will have one single point of contact. Are you concerned about the tile shipment? Contact your project manager. Are you wondering when the electrician will complete his portion of the renovation? Your project manager will provide you with the answer. By streamlining communication, you will receive quicker responses and experience less frustration.
However, perhaps the greatest benefit of having a dedicated project manager is the development of trust. When you have the same person manage your project from the beginning to the end of the renovation process, they become invested in ensuring that you are satisfied with the outcome. Because of their involvement from the beginning, they will advocate to ensure that your renovation is a success.
Your project manager is also the problem-solver. Problems inevitably arise during any renovation project. Perhaps the incorrect size of cabinets were shipped to your job site, or there is a hold-up with a custom feature. Rather than you scrambling to resolve these issues, your project manager will solve the problems. As a result of their experience and relationships, they will be able to resolve the issues quickly.
Putting it All Together
Renovating your home is a major investment of your money. However, it is not merely an expenditure of funds; you are investing in the comfort of your family, the value of your home, and your quality of life on a daily basis. Therefore, the pre-construction phase, continuous communication, and the assignment of a dedicated project manager are not “nice to haves” – they are necessities.
By developing a solid foundation through thorough pre-construction planning, you will have established a base that will allow you to build successfully. By maintaining a free-flowing dialogue during the renovation project, you will eliminate the opportunity for problems to escalate into disasters. Additionally, by having one dedicated person manage every aspect of your renovation project, and by establishing a meaningful relationship with you, the entire process will be smoother, less stressful, and more likely to produce the desired outcome.
The right contractor understands this concept. They recognize that superior construction skills represent only half of the equation. The remaining component is to ensure that you feel confident, informed, and enthusiastic about the renovation process from start to finish.
Are you ready to commence your dream renovation?
At FXBG Construction, we pride ourselves on conducting business the right way. In addition to superior construction practices, we emphasize the importance of carefully preparing the pre-construction phase, continually communicating throughout the project, and assigning a dedicated project manager to oversee every full-home renovation project. Your project manager will be your ally from the initial creation of the blueprints to the final walk-through of your new home, helping to bring your dreams to fruition.
FXBG Construction is a locally-based company that is proud to be part of the community, and we take great pride in our reputation. When we accept your project, we pledge to earn your trust and deliver the results that will result in your enjoyment upon returning to your newly renovated home every day.
Do you want to explore the possibilities of your renovation? We would love to hear your ideas.
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Let’s build something amazing together.
