Project management is the most important and responsible aspect of your house extension, loft conversion or other construction project you may undertake.
On every project, there are many moving parts that are all connected and dependent on each other, which makes it very easy to make a small mistake that can turn into a big problem later down the line, not only delaying your project but also leading to large financial loses.
At My Trusted Builder, beside having a dedicated foreman and a contracts manager, your project will be managed through our online management platform giving you 24/7 access to project information and daily updates on progress, payments, working schedule, and instant communication with all the team members including the architect, engineer etc..
Here are a few tips to help you project manage your project:
CHECKLIST:
- Obtain planning permission, if required, prior to work starting,
- Prepare building control drawings and design,
- Prepare structural design and calculations,
- Submit an application to your local Building Control department,
- Serve party wall notice if required,
- Obtain your license to alter (for lease hold properties),
- Obtain street license (if required),
- Make all the arrangements for Skip license, bay suspension and parking permits,
- Set up temporary welfare facilities (if required),
- Install H&S signs and equipment,
- Organise the hire of plant, skip, toilet, lifts etc.,
- Compare quotes from trades and let them know if you will be completing any tasks yourself,
- In case you are planning to live on site, arrange the schedule to minimize the impact on daily life,
- Agree timescales and schedules with trades to avoid delays,
- Arrange renovations insurance,
- Let your neighbours know that work is about to start,
- Arrange access for delivery lorries and decide where skips will be placed,
- Set up accounts with your local builders’ merchants,
- Check delivery times for materials and order when needed,
- Notify Building Control 2 weeks before the work commences,
- Plan material storage on site,
- Ensure you allow adequate time for sourcing long lead materials, such as patio doors, windows, etc.,
- Ensure temporary water and power facilities are accessible (it is recommended to install a separate RCD for all the builders power tools),
- Make second-fix decisions. such as the positions of lights and sockets, as early as possible,
- Ensure adequate drying time is allowed before proceeding to the next stage.
WEEK 1: SITE SET UP
- Make sure there is clear access to the site,
- Take pictures of the rest of the house to record any new cracks and settlements,
- Install protection and hoarding where required,
- Arrange for H&S signs, First Aid Kit, and Extinguishers,
- If you are project managing, arrange for all tools on hire in case your builder is cannot do it.
- Arrange for skip and Portable loo to be delivered to site as soon as highway permits are in place,
- Soft strip out and prepare for digging of the foundation,
- Make sure the site is safe, particularly if you have small children.
WEEK 2: GROUNDWORKS
- Dig the foundation and pad footings,
- Book a building control inspection before pouring the concrete,
- It may be required to dig deeper than initially planned(this may cause a cost variation),
- Measure and order your steel beams,
- Consider drainage and Thames Water Agreement before poring the concrete.
WEEKS 3-4: EXTERNAL WALLS
- Build the damp-proofing course up to DPC level,
- Get building control approval for DP,
- Build masonry walls(pay extra attention at the planning drawings and requirements, wall starts and ties),
- Make sure that lintels, door and window frames are ordered.
WEEK 5-6: SUPERSTRUCTURE
- Steels will be put in place, along with pad stones approved by Building Control,
- Accommodate underground drainage as per design,
- Accommodate the concrete slab flor(pay extra attention to the final levels you would like to achieve)
- Keep in mind your building control will want to check the slab floor build up.
WEEK 7: TIMBER STRUCTURE
- Your carpenter will start building the roof structure,
- If you are having roof lights or dormers, theses will be created and fitted,
- Roofing membrane will be laid over the new rafters,
- Roof battens will be cut and fitted over the membrane,
- Tiles/slates will be laid,
- Ridge tiles and valley tiles will be laid, along with finishing details like flashings, fascia and soffits,
- Internal stud walls structure will be built,
- Make sure you have ordered the windows, doors and roof tiles as these sometimes have long lead times,
- Call building control to approve roof structure before proceeding with insulation.
- WEEKS 8: electrics and plumbing
- First fix electrics is installed(double check all the point to be in the correct position),
- First Fix Plumbing (under floor heating pipes to be laid if needed),
- Arrange for 24 hours pressure test with your plumber,
- Plasterboard installation,
- Floor insulation and screeding,
- Building control is required to inspect insulation,
- External rendering will be completed, if required,
- Windows and doors will be fitted into the frames that were put in place when the walls were built,
- Guttering and drainpipes will be fitted.
WEEK 8: ELECTRCIS AND PLUMBING
- First fix electrics is installed (double check all the point to be in the correct position),
- First Fix Plumbing (under floor heating pipes to be laid if needed),
- Arrange for 24 hours pressure test with your plumber,
- Plasterboard installation,
- Floor insulation and screeding,
- Building control is required to inspect insulation,
- External rendering will be completed, if required,
- Windows and doors will be fitted into the frames that were put in place when the walls were built,
- Guttering and drainpipes will be fitted.
WEEK 9: PLASTERING
- Plastering will take place and must then be left to dry a week before decorating can be carried out,
- Ensure the moisture level in the structure is adequate before proceeding with second fix,
- Second fix carpentry.
WEEK 10-11: SECOND FIX
- Decorating,
- Second-fix plumbing meaning taps will be installed, and connections completed,
- Flooring will be laid
- Kitchen units will be installed, if applicable
- Second-fix electrics is installed.
WEEK 11: SNAGGING
- Create a snagging list and present it to the builder responsible before settling the final balance,
- Electrical and Gas Safe certificate are issued,
- Building control’s final inspection and completion certificate,
- Put all the certificates and instruction manuals together to a well-organized folder for future reference.
- Call your friend and celebrate!