What Are the Benefits of Using a Project Manager for Your Renovation?
Australians love renovating – the grand ideas, the window shopping for furnishings, the Pinterest boards and, of course, the amazing end result. Unfortunately, there are also aspects of renovating that most people are less enthusiastic about – coordinating trades, managing the budget, scheduling materials and basically keeping the whole project on track. If this all sounds a little overwhelming to you, it could be a good idea to use a project manager instead.
But what exactly does a project manager do? What are the benefits of using a project manager for your renovation? And are project managers a cost-effective option for kitchen and bathroom renovations in Ipswich?
What Does a Project Manager Do?
A project manager is responsible for organising and overseeing a renovation, from the initial planning stages right through to completion of the work. They’re in charge of:
- Planning the project scope of works
- Estimating costs (and sticking to the budget)
- Scheduling in each stage of the work
- Coordinating all the relevant trades
- Ordering materials
- Ensuring good communication between suppliers, tradespeople and the homeowner
While these tasks can (theoretically) be managed by the homeowner, the reality is, project managing involves a lot of time, skill and expertise. If you’re time-poor, have minimal construction knowledge or struggle to meet tight deadlines, then you may find that you’re better off engaging an expert to project manage your bathroom or kitchen renovation.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Project Manager for Your Renovation?
Project managers make life easier for everyone. They help the kitchen or bathroom renovation run smoothly and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. They do this by:
1. Planning for everything
Your project manager will plan and schedule the major milestones of your renovation. But they’ll also plan for all the minor details. This ensures that nothing gets overlooked and that there are no preventable delays in the schedule.
2. Being realistic
An experienced project manager knows how long things take and realistically how much things will cost. This means that they can provide you with accurate answers to your questions – they won’t promise that the work will only take a week if it’s more likely to take three.
3. Manage the budget
Because a project manager is involved from the very beginning, they can ensure that all relevant costs are included in the initial quote for your bathroom or kitchen renovation. The project manager will also be in charge of staying within the budget as the project progresses, so they’ll work hard to avoid any cost blowouts or preventable expenses.
4. Coordinating specialists
Kitchen and bathroom renovations in Ipswich will typically involve a lot of different construction specialists. This may include a building surveyor, a draftsman, carpenters, plumbers, tilers, electricians, plasterers and painters (to name just a few!). Coordinating all of these different elements (so that the part of the job that they’re responsible for is completed on schedule) takes a lot of skill, perseverance and diligence. An experienced project manager will keep the project moving forwards by ensuring everyone is finishing their allotted tasks as planned.
5. Keeping lines of communication open
A huge part of effective project management involves constant communication. A good project manager needs excellent communication skills to ensure the right materials get delivered on time and that the various trades understand what they need to be doing. They’ll also keep you up to date with how things are progressing, so you’re always kept in the loop, but not bogged down in an endless stream of day-to-day emails and text messages.
Are Project Managers Cost-Effective for Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations in Ipswich?
Some people worry about how cost-effective it is to use a project manager for residential kitchen and bathroom renovations in Ipswich. But while it may cost slightly more to use a project manager, it can also save you a significant amount of money. A good project manager will not only minimise any costly delays in the project, but they can also ensure you’re being quoted and charged a fair price by the various trades involved (and that the work is completed to an acceptably high standard). A project manager may also be able to secure discounts from their regular suppliers, saving you from paying the full retail price on your kitchen or bathroom fixtures and fittings.
At McColl Cabinetmakers, we believe that a smoothly executed and competently organised renovation shouldn’t cost extra. That’s why we include full project management as a standard part of all our kitchen and bathroom renovation projects. With McColl, you won’t have to search for a third-party project manager, and you won’t have to worry about any added cost. We’ll take care of everything for you.
Corey Cameron, Director of McColl Cabinetmakers, brings with him 25 years of experience in cabinetmaking and home renovations. This extensive exposure to hands-on work has ensured the highest standards in home and bathroom renovations.
