Skillful Management

Previously I wrote about the importance of a well designed, finely crafted project.
This time I want to address the importance of skillful management of the remodeling process. This is overlooked by many, but without it, your remodeling dream is likely to become your remodeling nightmare. Consider the effects of poor management and how they impact a remodeling project:
Poor Scheduling– No shows, days or weeks with little or no activity, workers on site with no materials, deliveries made with no one to receive them, the job drags on and on.
Poor Communication– Unclear Contract, poorly defined scope of work, owners don’t know what to expect during construction, unreturned calls, unsupervised job site.
Fiscal mismanagement– Using progress payments from your project to pay another projects expenses, liens against your property, suppliers and sub contactors reluctant to supply services.
Disorganized site– Resulting in wasted time, dangerous conditions, unnecessary inconvenience to the owners, neighbors complaints etc.

How do you ensure skillful management of your project? By selecting a professional contractor with a good track record. A good place to start is to choose contractors that are members of organizations like NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) or the Remodelors Council which do background checks and have a code of ethics to which their members subscribe. It’s also a good idea to contact the BBB. When you interview the contractor, ask about how they manage their projects. If they don’t leave you with a feeling of confidence in their management skills, move on. And finally, the most important thing you can do when making your decision is to contact references and ask them about their remodeling experience with the company you are considering.