Managing a period renovation project

Engaging a main contractor

If you have a detailed specification for the works, then the simplest and most hassle-free route is through a main contractor. This can be put out to tender to get competitive rates, and this will be a fixed price at the start of the works assuming no changes are made. A main contractor will organise all the trades and programme on site and buy materials. He will charge an overhead for the administration of the project of between 10-20%. The downside is that if you change your mind regarding the work, you could pay a premium.

Employing a project manager

A project manager will effectively do what you would do if you were managing the build yourself, but charge a fixed fee of around 7% of the build cost. He will split the work into trade packages, and get the best price for each one. The individual trades will submit invoices directly to the client, and the project manager will keep track of budget. While this route is often cheaper, the client carries any risk if works take longer, there is no fixed budget and there is less chance of redress with the individual trades if something goes wrong.

Self-management

If you have time and experience on your side, then you might want to try employing the individual tradesmen and managing the works yourself. It’s definitely not a route for the faint-hearted.

Marianne's checklist: Choosing your builder

Even with the best architect or surveyor on board, the outcome of the final project will depend largely on the skill of your builders. It is essential that you select them wisely.

• If you are using a main contractor, always go for a firm with a good reputation for historic building work. Ask who will be running the job as he or she will take responsibility for quality control.

• It’s essential to request references and follow them up – visit previous projects and speak to past clients.

• Ask about the individual tradesmen – are they on the books, have they been with the company for long, are they fully qualified?

• Ideally, choose someone local. A contractor will tend to send his best tradesmen to local jobs to keep them happy, and bring in subcontractors for work further afield.

• Go through the project in detail before signing any contracts. Get a feel for how well they have thought through the job.

• Check they have suitable insurance.

• Do a credit check on the contractor to make sure they have adequate funds to cope with cash flow.

Read all about how one renovation project benefitted from a good site foreman...
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FEATURE & PHOTOGRAPHS MARIANNE SUHR
Featured in the March 2011 issue of Period Living