All Topics / Value Adding / project manager

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Profile photo of mg310mg310
    Member
    @mg310
    Join Date: 2011
    Post Count: 12
    October 26, 2011 - 2:45 am

    Hi all,

    We have bought a "fixer-upper" about three hours from our home. We have a number of items on the to-do list:
    -painting (inside and out)
    -carpets
    -kitchen flooring
    -kitchen cabinets
    -bathroom re-tiling
    -new fence
    -internal doors
    -window coverings
    etc

    Anyhow, as the jobs are varied, and we live a distance away, I was curious whether anyone had used some sort of local project manager to coordinate all the tradies. We are a little daunted at the moment about how we go about meeting tradies/overseeing their work when we live so far away.

    Any comments/advice on this sort of situation?

    Many thanks

    mg

    Profile photo of Scott No MatesScott No Mates
    Participant
    @scott-no-mates
    Join Date: 2005
    Post Count: 3,856
    October 26, 2011 - 6:39 am

    which area?

    Profile photo of mg310mg310
    Member
    @mg310
    Join Date: 2011
    Post Count: 12
    October 31, 2011 - 1:21 am

    I'm assuming by the lack of responses that noone uses a project manager.

    So, for a remote location, do people take time off to do the work themself?

    Or, does your property manager allow contarctors to pick up/drop off keys to obtain access?

    Cheers

    Marcus

    Profile photo of CatalystCatalyst
    Participant
    @catalyst
    Join Date: 2008
    Post Count: 1,404
    October 31, 2011 - 6:30 am
    mg310 wrote:
    Hi all,

    We have bought a "fixer-upper" about three hours from our home. We have a number of items on the to-do list:
    -painting (inside and out)
    -carpets
    -kitchen flooring
    -kitchen cabinets
    -bathroom re-tiling
    -new fence
    -internal doors
    -window coverings
    etc

    Anyhow, as the jobs are varied, and we live a distance away, I was curious whether anyone had used some sort of local project manager to coordinate all the tradies. We are a little daunted at the moment about how we go about meeting tradies/overseeing their work when we live so far away.

    Any comments/advice on this sort of situation?

    Many thanks
    mg

    I;m surprised that you didn't think of this before buying. I have a friend who renovates places away from where he lives. He just gets local tradies to do each job (not for me).

    So-  in order get tradies in (pick up keys from RE)

    -bathroom re-tiling (do you mean new bathroom?) start this ASAP as it takes the longest.
    -kitchen cabinets (replace?paint?)
    -internal doors (replace?)
    -painting (inside and out)
    -carpets. Ring someone to quote. Easy when everything is ready they come out and lay it.
    -kitchen flooring ? same as carpet mob?
    -new fence. anytime. Get quotes. They can come anytime as it doesn't affect anything else.
    -window coverings. Ring, they will go out and quote- when ready get them to fit them (takes 3 weeks. Get the quote early.

    I would try to be there for a day or 2 to get quotes. Go over the weekend and Friday or Monday. Do some of the basic cleaning/clearing etc yourself. This can save heaps of money.

    We did a reno in Albury. Just went for a week. But had to go back a few weeks later for a weekend.

    Profile photo of Jane - HotspaceJane – Hotspace
    Participant
    @jane—hotspace
    Join Date: 2010
    Post Count: 69
    November 1, 2011 - 12:46 pm

    Hi mg,

    The best piece of advice I can give you is to have a clear plan about what you are going to do to your property, before you do a thing!

    If you can clearly articulate what you want, then you are well on your way to a successful reno. This way you can get accurate pricing up front. Then when it comes to the implementation, there is less likely to be confusion/overlaps/gaps in your reno – which is what causes cost over-runs.

    I always recommend a project manager when my clients are renovating a property that is not local to them. If you have appointed your property manager yet, then perhaps see if they will co-ordinate the reno for you. This is an excellent option as they will already have reliable trades-people they can call on. You will pay a margin on top of the actual costs – and this will cover the running around the property manager is doing for you (just as you would pay a Project Manager).

    I would always use a Project Manager over a Property Manager (if you have the choice). They will be more focussed on your reno and therefore have it finished quicker and with less complications.

    You'll probably want to make at least 3-4 trips. First to go and make a plan about what you are going to do to the property (don't rely on anyone else or they may have you ripping the whole place apart and starting from scratch!) – and give it a clean up (as suggested previously). Secondly, to meet tradies to get quotes. 3rd visit to kick the project off and clarify specs with each trade. 4th + visit to monitor progress (visit as often as you can – and if you can't visit site yourself, make sure someone else is doing so on your behalf every few days).

    Hope that helps mg.

    Jane – Hotspace | Hotspace Consultants
    http://hotspaceconsultants.com/home
    Email Me | Phone Me

    Renovating for Profit specialist

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. If you don't have an account, you can register here.