Tackling multiple home renovation projects? Having a strategy in place is the best way to stay on track. There are a lot of moving parts that need to coordinate just right—from time and budget to supplies—to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
Achieving this balance is easier said than done. You have to plan it all from start to finish. Coordinating finances, communicating with multiple teams, keeping up with deadlines, and making sure each step is completed on schedule to allow the next to begin can become overwhelming if you don’t have a strong approach.
Prioritize Projects According to Phases
Multiple renovations require priorities. Each project will have different levels of urgency and an impact score related to return on investment (ROI). This helps you decide which projects need to be done, and when, before you can move on to the next.
It’s always best to divide large and complex projects into smaller, more manageable steps. Like the big projects, work with target dates, objectives, and budgets for these mini projects. This helps you work everything into a logical workflow that minimizes disruptions and keeps you following your intended schedule.
With a major home renovation, you need to complete the larger structural repairs and larger renovations before the cosmetic touches. For example, foundation work or repairing damage to walls and ceilings needs to come before new flooring, moldings, and a fresh coat of paint.
The better you can organize all these different tasks, the more you can focus your efforts on the most urgent work and complete the full scale remodel running efficiently.
Work with a Master Timeline
Calendars are an important part of big home renovations. A master timeline keeps all your projects and their related tasks organized at a glance, along with the deadlines and the projects that build upon each other. This also helps you manage any delays or supply shortages that can disrupt your flow.
Another benefit of a master timeline is that it can help you anticipate any problems that may crop up, such as an area with more extensive damage than you budgeted for. With the whole project in front of you, it’s easier to check in and make revisions to keep up with deadlines when the situation changes.
Plan a Budget for Each Project
Having one master budget is a good idea for pricey projects like a home renovation, but it’s smart to break that down into smaller budgets for each individual project that make it easier to track and limit spending.
Each budget should include all the planned costs for materials, labor, equipment, permits, and appliances. Comparing your real spending to the budgeted amount can prevent budget creep. You should also have a contingency built in to cover unexpected expenses.
For example, if you’re planning to renovate your kitchen and your master bathroom—two of the more expensive rooms to renovate—you could easily overspend on one and short yourself on the other. Instead of creating one lump sum renovation budget of $40,000, you should split it into two separate budgets of say, $25,000 for the kitchen and $15,000 for the bathroom.
For the kitchen, you can then allocate:
- $10,000 for the cabinets and countertops
- $5,000 for appliances
- $4,000 for labor
- $1,000 for permits and inspection fees
- $3,000 for contingency
For the bathroom renovation, you allocate:
- $6,000 for fixtures and tiles
- $4,000 for labor
- $1,000 for plumbing updates
- $500 for permits
- $3,500 for contingency
Manage Communication with Contractors and Suppliers
Effective communication is crucial for renovation work. Establishing systems for communication, such as chats on task management platforms or email groups, ensures everyone knows where they need to go for updates or other project information.
Follow-ups and progress reports also ensure any issues that come up are resolved quickly and easily without confusing situations that can cause costly problems. This is especially important if you’re working with contractors and suppliers to keep up with material delays.
Delegate Tasks Effectively
Knowing how to delegate tasks effectively is important in any renovation, but particularly when you’re managing several renovations at the same time. You couldn’t possibly do everything on your own, so having the right team of subcontractors can make a huge difference.
You will need to explain all the work you need done, any applicable parameters, the minimum expectations you have, and the timeline and deadlines. This ensures that all parties are responsible for their own role and prepared to deliver on their responsibilities. Freeing up these projects also gives you time to manage high-level planning and management.
Stay Flexible
Project disruptions are common in home renovations. Project disruptions can mean anything from a minor supply delay to uncovering a structural problem you aren’t prepared for. Being adaptable and prepared for problems before they happen can prevent a lot of wasted time and resources.
Adaptability is even more important when you’re juggling multiple renovations at once. You can respond quickly to project delays and make quick, sound decisions to keep the project moving. Ultimately, that can mean the difference between a minor bump in the road and a completely stalled project.
Schedule Progress Reviews
Consistent progress evaluations are essential throughout your renovation project. If you’re a contractor working with clients, this is an opportunity to keep up with a home renovation project and discuss any budget changes.
If you’re managing your own home renovation, such as a kitchen or bathroom remodel, progress reviews keep the lines of communication open with contractors and ensure that the work is still aligned with what you envisioned. If problems come up, it’s much easier to course correct early on than when the project is nearly finished.
Smart Management for Effective Renovation Projects
Juggling multiple renovation projects can be challenging, but these strategies provide a framework that helps you balance multiple projects effectively without losing sight of your budgets, the quality of the work, and the preferred deadlines along the way.
