A Homebuilding and Renovating Management Book for the Uninitiated

Congratulations! By picking up this book you have taken the first step towards safeguarding your most important asset, your property! This is one book which really will help to give you ‘peace of mind’.

This book is aimed at those readers who are planning to carry out small to medium-sized projects, and will enable you to control costs and monitor the standard of workmanship. It must be stressed, however, that each project is unique and some will require more planning than others.

Undertaking a new building project can be a daunting prospect, so I have tried to cover many of the critical areas related to domestic project management in as few words as possible, avoiding long and complicated contractual jargon.

This book raises awareness of the pitfalls to avoid, the regulations to be met and the best ways to manage works from start to finish. While common sense is a necessity for any form of management, there are some procedures that require specific attention, and when it comes to construction we cannot leave anything to chance.

We hold certain professionals such as doctors and solicitors in high regard. The question is – are they always right? One reason for this level of trust we have in them is that they are for the most part regulated by their respective authoritative bodies, and they are also educated to the required level to provide the advice or services associated with their field of expertise.

In a similar way most people will rely on the word of the ‘building’ professionals. However, when we require advice or services from companies or people who are not regulated and who do not hold specific qualifications, we should put in place some safety precautions and procedures to ensure that we are protected, as far as practically possible.

The principles of project management that this book deals with can be applied to many different situations, the fundamentals of which we use in our daily lives, albeit subconsciously. Take, for example, buying food. Below are some of the questions we might ask and the decisions we might have to make.

• What do we need?
• When do we need it?
• How much do we need?
• Where will we get it?
• Does the supplier have a good reputation?
• How much will it cost?
• Will we buy brand names?
• Is there an alternative of the same quality but cheaper?
• Was it as good as we thought it would be?
• What was the service like?
• Would we use that supplier again?

Other situations in which these same decisions are made on a regular basis include:

• refuelling the car;
• having the car repaired;
• buying household goods;
• buying luxury items;
• buying clothes;
• planning holidays;
• buying insurance;
• buying a second-hand car.

Generally speaking, we are happy to make these decisions without too much planning, as we know the end product before we buy it. In comparison, with major building works the risks are naturally increased.

When we are planning to have work carried out in our homes, there are other factors that need to be considered. These will be covered in this book and are those elements that are unique to the domestic construction industry but which we do not generally give much thought to.

Bringing these to your attention now will help you to understand the importance of reading through this book completely before moving on to the first steps of the planning stages.

Areas to take into consideration include the following:

• Your privacy:
  • ensuring areas that are off limits are secure.
• Security:
  • who will be responsible for door keys?
  • how will the builder secure holes in walls etc.?
  • will the scaffold be alarmed?
  • who will monitor visitors?
• Safety:
  • how will excavations be made secure?
• Precautions:
  • how will rainwater be redirected?
  • what measures will be used for controlling dust etc.?
• Insurance:
  • are we insured against short-term higher risks?
• Emergencies:
  • who do we contact in an emergency?

Despite the high level of media attention and regular stories of disasters surrounding domestic building projects, most people feel that it will not happen to them. They are prepared to risk potential difficulties, such as poor workmanship, security problems and projects running over budget and time.

Although there are many reputable builders and contractors on the domestic side of the construction industry, when the market is thriving some may exploit this situation and charge extortionate rates for carrying out substandard work.

Most of the aspects covered in this book have had volumes written about them in their own right. However, with this step-by-step approach to the fundamentals, all of these elements become easily manageable which will help to give the reader confidence in their decision-making. It will also help the client to produce the information which the builder/contractor will use to accurately price the work.

All those who use this book will learn cost-saving exercises and how to relay exactly what is required to all concerned. However, it must be stressed that, as in any form of contract, cooperation and discretion is required from all parties involved.

Ten Golden Rules Before Starting Your Project

• 1.Study this book from start to finish, and pick out the elements that are suitable for the size of project that you are undertaking, and which you feel comfortable in implementing.
• 2.Always have any agreement in writing. You may feel that you want a more legally binding contract than the examples shown in this book – your architect or legal representative should be able to organise this for you.
• 3.Do remember that it is your money that is being spent, so you need to be in control at all times and confident in your decision-making.
• 4.Set out a plan of action, study it and make changes where necessary until you are satisfied that you have covered all aspects.
• 5.If you feel that you are unable to project manage your own building work, do consider using a consultant. He should be able to make sufficient cost-savings to cover at least some of his fees, depending on the size of the project.
• 6.Do not pay money in advance.
• 7.Do remember that some builders may appear to be professional but may not perform to expectation when required.
• 8.Monitoring, inspecting and good communication will keep you informed and help to avoid any problems before they arise.
• 9.Ensure that your insurance company is aware of building works being carried out.
• 10.Make sure that the builder or contractor has sufficient insurance cover.

Whatever project you are preparing to undertake, planning and good contractual procedures are the key to success. I wish you every success with your project.