For interior designers who are new to the business or have little experience, project managing a renovation can seem like a daunting prospect. Without real organisation it is something that can easily spiral out of control. Here are my 10 top tips for getting the project managing side of things right.
1) ORGANISE: Once you have the go ahead to implement your proposed schemes you need to be very organised with paperwork, specifications and schedules. Start a paper file with dividers to separate various aspects of the job. Make sure you file everything meticulously so that you can refer back whenever you need to.
2) COMMUNICATE: Your contractors wont know what to do unless you tell them. It's really not enough to hand them a load of drawings and ask them to get on with it. Contractors wont spend the time working from your plans -they want someone on site regularly telling them what to put where. Ideally you should visit the site daily so that you can quickly get on top of any misunderstandings that may occur.
3) PLAN, PLAN, and PLAN AGAIN: If you take the time to make sure you have covered every detail then your job will be easier once the project is underway. You need to make sure you have the right materials on site at the right time so it is important to sit down with the contractors and timetable the project properly.
4) CHECK: Make sure you double check measurements before making large orders for furniture, curtains etc. It is also vital to check orders when they arrive - its no good having a consignment of door handles delivered a week before they are needed only to find on the day they are being fitted that they are not the right ones!
5) RECORD: Write everything down! If the client wants changes made or additions part way through the project make sure you have the changes in writing along with a signed agreement for the extra costs involved. Record materials used, invoices received and sent out , money spent and keep any notes made during meetings with contractors.
6) BUDGET: Take time to carefully plan the budget. Timetable when items need to be ordered, when they will arrive and more importantly when they will need to be paid for. Documenting your cash flow for the project will help you decide when to ask your clients for interim payments.
7) SUPPLIERS: Keep on top of suppliers -call them to check they have received your orders if you don't receive acknowledgements from them. Find out delivery dates so that you can be sure someone is in to receive the goods, check goods are in stock and can be delivered on time, follow up if things don't turn up when you expect them to.
8) TROUBLE SHOOT: Inevitably there will be problems along the way. Don't bury your head in the sand! Assess the problem and deal with it before it spirals out of control.
9) BEFORE CONTRACTORS LEAVE: Take lots of time to really inspect the job that has been done. Write a snagging list of all the things that need to be done before the job is signed off and make sure they are followed up on quickly. The best way is to make sure the contractors haven't received their final payment until this is done.
10) FINISHING TOUCHES: Finish the job well! Make sure rooms are clean, rubbish is taken away, windows are cleaned, carpets are vacuumed, furniture is correctly placed, cushions are plumped- you get the idea! Even if your client has 4 cats sprawling on the new sofa before you left the driveway you must leave the job looking like a showroom!
Hopefully these tips will lead to problem free project management for all of you readers. Look out for my new project management course for interior designers coming soon. More details will be published on this blog nearer the time.
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