FIRST DAY ON RENOVATING PROJECT
Everyone is excited to begin. Dumpster has arrived and demo is about to get underway. This is the time to stop everything and hold a meeting. You are in charge of this meeting not the General contractor, Be self confident in conducting this meeting ( It is the first of many). Ask the general contractor to summarize the goals for the week. Then have each subcontractor ask any questions they may have about the expectations on the job. Donuts for all is very helpful in running this meeting. The first one may only last 15-20 minutes. This establishes who is in charge and everyone becomes known to you.
You will be amazed at how much respect you are given at this meeting because most people skip this thinking their workers are not worth the extra cost of a box of donuts and 15 minutes of time. Clearly establish the Neatness Counts Concept NOW. This gives you the authority to demand neatness throughout the renovation project. Clearly set the time and day for the next meeting. This works best to establish a regular weekly meeting time. Demand that everyone working on a phase of the project must attend.
Never show up expecting to hold a meeting at any other time. This disrupts the workflow and results in inefficient work. Do stop in randomly to take a quick walk through. If You see something that is not right ask the general when is a good time to discusss it. Sometimes you do have to Call a Time Out. Choose how often you do this carefully. No one is agreeable to a hysterical client who interrupts the work for small stuff. Hold it until the next meeting if you can.
Second week, arrive with donuts and begin the meeting with what do you intend to accomplish this week? Follow that with, Are there any problems you foresee in meeting this goal? You will be surprised how smooth your project willl go if you do this weekly 25 minute meeting. It will be the best thing you can do to keep your project moving. Accountability is extremely important. You will see subs giving the project their best everyday because they willl be accountable. if you are opening up walls take photos with notes included. sometimes a few dimensions in the notes is helpful.
Every week the meeting will proceed the same with different aspects of your project as different issues arise. You will always have the same questions of them to start off. Their responses will dictate how in-depth the meeting becomes. Do not forget the donuts.
Post the calendar of supplies so everyone knows when their parts will arrive and where the parts are stored temporarily. The calendar of supplies is actually your timetable. You will always know if a trade is running behind by the supply flow. You are no longer in the dark.
Lastly and most importantly treat everyone with respect and kindness they deserve on your job. They are there to do their best for you!
