When taking on a build or renovation as a Homeowner with little experience, or a contractor with many years experience it is most important to get your schedule right. We often hear of delays in builds between trades not being on time, waiting on materials, engineer reports and so on.
Your project scheduling plays a crucial role in ensuring project success. It aids in keeping the project on track, setting realistic time frames for any associated works, assigning tasks appropriately which helps manage quality to decrease any mistakes or errors throughout the Project.
This typically results in reduced costs and increased customer satisfaction.
So how can we schedule our Project from start to finish without running over our timeframe?
Here are just a few tips to help schedule your build or renovation:
- Have your move in date or finished date set in stone: Remember this will be on you as a Homeowner. If you are organised and have your research done there is no reason why this will be not a reality.
- Use a Project Planner software: Personally, I like Microsoft Project but there are many options. Even if it means using Excel and you have enough detail, then go for it. Remember don’t just write something on a napkin, it doesn’t work.
- Work your way backwards from the finish: This might seem strange to you but once you have devised a schedule work your way back from your finish date. Reasons behind this will give you the benefit of calculating lead times for any special materials that may be needed. For example: Sash windows or French doors could take longer then standard windows and doors. These may need to be ordered earlier in the process to ensure no delays.
- Be realistic: Do not be expecting miracles on your timeline. If you manage to pull in a few days on your schedule be prepared to lose those days somewhere else. It’s not all smooth sailing. If something does pop up throughout the project seek advice from a professional in that field to rectify the problem.
- Keep your workers happy: If you are a homeowner employing trades directly or a contractor it doesn’t matter. A happy workforce is a productive workforce. Let them see you care about their opinion and involve them in your project. From experience this can up production and quality.
- Have payments ready to go: Doing a build or reno is an expensive process but that’s just part of it. If you say you will have a payment on a date for a service or for material, then you make sure you have it. This is one of the biggest reasons schedules fall behind. It also builds trust between all parties involved.
Any questions on your scheduling or anything else feel free to get on contact at info@selfbuildcanada.ca
