Historic Home Renovation: Project Management 101
Keep all your documents organized and in one place as a reference guide.
One thing you will get to know about me is that I am determined. Very determined. Part of my skill set as an interior designer – or should I say one of “My Bailiwicks” is that I am a really good project manager – I keep things going – I plan – I schedule – and I encourage everyone to keep on track. This is done by staying one step ahead of everyone else.
This skill set is a necessity when you are attempting a total home restoration. I like to tease my husband, John and tell him that having an interior designer as a wife is both a blessing and a curse. I truly believe we would never have been able to accomplish this renovation within our time frame without my previous experience, knowledge and tenacity.
Floor plans and electrical/lighting plans help the contractors stay on track when you can’t be on site.
During our renovation I attached plans on the wall of each room so that the various subcontractors had a reference tool.
Being proactive was essential - I drew up floor plans for both the interior and exterior renovations even BEFORE we closed on the property. I applied for a mixed-use variance, permits and met with township officials and contractors for estimates even BEFORE we purchased the property. We met with lawyers and developed an easement plan to allow us access to on-site parking even before we signed anything. Although there were many variables we could not possibly budget for until we actually owned the house (when we were able to take down wallpaper and ceiling tiles) – we did everything possible to make sure we could achieve our goals. The last thing we needed was a commercial property that we couldn’t live in.
Our Kitchen Floor Plan with notes and updates for the various contractors.
Once we signed the closing documents we jumped right into the frying pan – my husband, John and I were going to act as our own general contractors and it was my role to handle the complete gut and renovation of our new property. What’s a headstrong person like myself supposed to do? Simple – I approached our own renovation with the same enthusiasm and dedication that I give to my clients’ projects.
Floor plans, lighting and electrical plans, schedules for tile, plumbing, lighting fixtures, paint colors, window treatments – you name it - ALL went into binders with plastic slipsheets. One master binder stayed on the jobsite, and a duplicate binder stayed with me, so I could track product shipments and answer any questions the various contractors might have. Fortunately John, was working from our new “home”, so even when I was on the road with my “real” job working on my client’s projects, he was able to man the fort. That, in combination with many of my faithful contractors that I have worked with for years, made the scope and magnitude of this renovation possible.
Multiple plans for each room may be required.
But still, I wasn’t taking any chances as we had several new subcontractors on the job. So I made more copies and taped them onto the walls of each room. So that every time there was a new step or new decision made there was a reference tool on hand. Yes, it was a little OCD – but it made it possible to complete the main elements of the renovation in just 6 months and the finishing touches, furnishings, and finishes wrapped up in another 6 months.
This was a HUGE purchase for my husband, John, and I. I was asking John to trust that I could make this happen – after making his life hell for 12 months. He was counting on me to “do my homework” like I would do for any other client. I was certainly not going to let him down!
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