GUIDE TO RENOVATING

Building projects require good organisation and management in order to run smoothly, on time and to budget. Who should you choose to run yours?

- IAN ROCK

All building projects need someone at the helm who's responsible for overseeing the works and steering things to a successful conclusion. This management role is sometimes undertaken by clients, but as aficionados of TV property shows will know from bitter viewing experience, it's not uncommon for projects to veer off course, with costs escalating and timescales scattered to the four winds. So is it realistic to self-manage your own renovation project, or would you be better off hiring a professional?

WHERE TO START

The goal of the project manager is for the agreed work to be completed on time, within budget and to the required standard. Just how massive a mountain this turns out to be will depend on what sort of project you're undertaking. One key factor is whether you plan to appoint a main contractor, or employ your own workforce. This is because an integral part of the contractor's role involves taking responsibility for site management - things such as deploying the right trades, ordering materials, coordinating deliveries with labour on site, and liaising with building control.

It's perfectly possible for some projects to run smoothly with just the client and main contractor running the show. Except for one thing - the contractor has a vested interest in getting the job done as quickly and profitably as possible, which can potentially conflict with the interests of clients. However, should you instead decide to directly employ your own team of individual trades rather than appoint a main contractor, the management role will be considerably more demanding.

Either way, the key to a smooth running project is to make sure all the basics are in place before the starting pistol is fired on site.