Large scale Furniture Restoration and Reupholstery projects are all about time and budget. It’s essential to plan ahead for the inherent challenges—and costs—this work can pose. In most cases, renovations do not require a complete shutdown of the jobsite, although you may need to phase the work on a space-by-space basis while staying in operation. How quickly do furniture renovations need to be completed in order to make the numbers work? It’s imperative to address the existing and unknown cost issues inherent to renovating without negatively impacting the budget, work schedule, or, above all, guests.
In any scenario, there are risks inherent to nearly all furniture renovations projects. Whatever the approach to renovation, it’s critical that the following risks be thoroughly assessed and proactively addressed.
RISK #1 WORKING WITH AN IMPROPERLY DEFINED PROJECT SCOPE
Improperly defined or insufficient project scopes notoriously produce uncertainty, confusion, delays, and cost overruns. It is particularly important that potential issues that might derail the project are addressed effectively and strategically. This requires proactive project management and planning. An effective project manager will foresee and respond to potential issues prior to execution – and carefully monitor the project as it moves forward – to ensure that it is completed according to specified quality, allocated resources, schedule, and budget. Otherwise, if management isn’t vigilant, the project will almost always drift from its intended parameters.
Cost Control Strategies:
• Early on in pre-project, conduct an analysis to uncover various aspects of the project that require special considerations or attention, so that last minute reaction is not needed in the field. Neglecting to perform such analyses, can negatively impact the scope by placing undue pressure on manpower and resources, and add days or weeks . to the schedule
• Create a fully defined scope by incorporating results from these analyses and all other pertinent details including schedule and budget
• Once the scope is defined, meet with all stakeholders (owner, operator, brand, etc.) to mutually agree on all details of the scope including addressing any existing conditions upfront
RISK #2 UNDERESTIMATING THE SCHEDULE AND/OR MANPOWER
Time is money, not only in terms of getting the site back into full operational order, but also getting the project team to finish the job within budget. However, a rushed schedule is never in anyone’s best interests and can create a myriad of issues that result in either poor quality, undesired results, or work that must be redone if it’s incorrectly or shoddily performed.
Cost Control Strategies:
• For larger renovations, explore the feasibility of breaking down the project into smaller parts and splitting up the work so that different labor pools can be engaged.
• Proactively address labor requirements as early as possible to ensure a suitable labor resource is assigned to the project.
• Build a schedule based on realistic labor requirements. Overcrowding the job site with too many workers will lead to quality control issues.
RISK #3: POOR PROCUREMENT PLANNING
In order to keep project schedules and budgets on-target, a streamlined procurement process is absolutely essential. The fabric, supplies and materials procurement process is one of the most time consuming and complex aspects of any furniture renovation project. What’s more, communication regarding schedule is key in every aspect of project management but it is especially important in procurement. A delayed procurement process can set a project back just as much as delays with any other part of the renovation process.
Cost Control Strategies:
• Make design decisions early and get sign off from all stakeholders, including a representative from the hotel brand/ and or cruise line if applicable, to ensure that the overall aesthetic and fabrics, are mutually agreed upon.
• Timing for receipt of materials and fabrics must be considered prior to setting a “start” date of any onsite project to ensure all products are delivered in time.
• Ensure all orders are broken down into organized deliveries to minimize double handling and additional storage costs.
• Create contingencies and “Plan B” selections to fall back on if certain fabrics, supplies or materials are delayed or unavailable.
THE WAY FORWARD
At any scale, there are significant risks inherent to most furniture renovations and project schedules. The aforementioned challenges should be carefully examined, and their correlating cost control strategies explored, in order to maximize ROI, minimize downtime, and result in a successful, on-budget furniture renovation project.
