Replies

1. 
   gdavis62 | Oct 27, 2004 09:54pm | #1

   Try this.  I found it at the "Hometime" site.

   View Image

   If you have a good local library, a copy of this might be there.  If not, they probably have some other worthwhile books.

   If you are intending to build or remodel, and act as your own GC, I would suggest that you start as much as a year in advance, by getting to know sources of supply, researching products and materials, reading about techniques, and most importantly, getting to know your likely subcontractors.

2. 
   wrick2003 | Oct 28, 2004 12:59am | #2

        I recomend that you hire a professional project manager. 

        Most creative homeowners know what kind of tile and cabinets they like, and may have a few acceptable remodeling skills, but lack the experience necessary to organise and schedule the proven sequence of construction events that leads to a beautiful completed project. 

        What you can and can not do are the two most important things for a construction non-professional to know.

         rg       

3. 
   JerraldHayes | Oct 28, 2004 01:31am | #3

   Robin - "I can't seem to find any discussion or info on running a job successfully at Breaktime or in FHB magazine It's all about techniques (doing trim faster), but what about the effective coordination of a large remodel or custom home, including scheduling, bookkeeping, etc. Anyone know anything or of any resources out there? ?"

   Well your observation unfortunately correct Robin. The not much talk at all here about project management. What perspective are you asking the question from? Are you a building & remodeling professional or a homeowner looking to manage your own projects better? personally I think project management is project management is project management and the skills and techniques used to manage projects cross over into many other disciplines too. The reality is the same methods techniques and principles that are used to organize projects like building the space shuttle or deploying troops to Iraq also apply to building and remodeling in varying degrees.

   Just last night in another forum I wrote:

   Just as there are some naturally good carpenters who everything seems to come naturally to there are also individuals who are naturally and innately talented at managing projects but they are just as rare as those natural carpenters. Most need training and education in project management skills and techniques or need years of experience. Unfortunately most companies rely on waiting for years of trial and error experience to set in rather than education and training so the lot of us are forced to suffer through poorly managed and scheduled projects.

   Most PMs in the building and remodeling trades are what's called Accidental Project Managers which means they sort of rose in to the realm of project management by accident. For instance a particularly good carpenter is asked to ascend to "manage" a project figuring well he's a good carpenter he can probably mange too thinking they are one in the same thing. Another example is where a contractor accidentally grows his company into a position where they are now managing projects. We rise into management accidentally. (The other meaning people in the project management profession give to Accidental Project Manger scenario is that they tend to manage accidentally or by accident which is unfortunately true).

   Project Management or the sorry state of it is a pet subject of mine so I might have been ranting a little but I think you you put your finger on the problem. It's never talked about like it a skill and techniques we all need to learn. We (as a group) just take it for granted that we will pick it up along the way. My experience has been that what most (not all, but most) people in this industry pickup along the way are the bad habits and not what actually works.

   We anyway what did you have in mind or more specifically what are you looking for?

   ---

   View Image

   ParadigmProjects.com | Paradigm-360.com | Mac4Construction.com

1. 
   HomeworkCo | Oct 29, 2004 06:57pm | #5

   Hi Jerrald, I have built one complicated house (mine), done many small homes (cottages, actually), and a dozen remodels. Lots of odd jobs and handyman in past 20 years. Also a Union journeyperson at times. Anyway, seeing that I learned a lot of carpentry from trial and error, and seeing the large and treacherous business aspect ahead, I feel like trial and error in that realm would be ...a...painful and expensive.

   Guess I was right, nobody talks about the management aspect much. I did get a book on project mgmt...pretty general...was thinking there'd be a chart or software to sequencially list the steps on a construction project, with plug-in of numbers (estimates and actual). I am in concept stage with a client on a custom home, its just a lot bigger than my usual fare...the Cottages are about 20-30 grand, this about 100 K. Seems like good management would be very important. I'm gonna have to just charge hourly, as usual, because the estimating is even harder. Thanks, Robin

1. 
   BobKovacs | Oct 29, 2004 07:26pm | #6

   Robin-

   Where are you located that a "custom" home costs $100k, and where ANYTHING can be built for $20-30k?

   Bob

1. 
   HomeworkCo | Nov 09, 2004 06:12pm | #8

   you gotta build small. I did a 700 ft2 cabin for about 30K. I've done smaller cabins for less than 10K, no plumbing, but nice. Located in South (Puget) Sound area. Robin

2. 
   xMikeSmith | Oct 29, 2004 07:27pm | #7

   robin.. most of our additions run $170,000 or so..

   a "custom home, new construction in the $100K range should be relatively easy to estimate..

    stick to a lump sum bid and make sure you have all of your costs rolled in and then add profitMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

4. 
   Piffin | Oct 28, 2004 03:36am | #4

   Experience is the best resource I know of.

    

    

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