Project Management Excellence: Keeping Your Renovation Stress-Free and On Track

What Should I Expect From My Project Manager?

Ever wondered what truly separates nightmare renovations from dream transformations? The secret isn't fancy tools or premium materials—it's exceptional project management.

In this revealing conversation, general contractor Jeff Bass takes us behind the scenes of successful home renovations to explore how project managers serve as the backbone of every remodeling project. You'll discover why communication stands as the single most critical factor in renovation success and how setting clear expectations from day one transforms the entire remodeling experience. Jeff shares candid insights about what homeowners should realistically expect from their project managers, including when and how often they'll be on-site, how they handle unexpected challenges, and what separates merely adequate PMs from truly exceptional ones.

The discussion takes a fascinating turn when Jeff reveals why renovations in occupied homes typically take twice as long as those in vacant properties—a reality many homeowners don't anticipate when planning their timelines. You'll gain valuable perspective on how professional contractors balance efficiency with respect for clients' daily lives, including the meticulous end-of-day cleanup processes that add significant time to projects but dramatically improve the renovation experience for homeowners.

Whether you're planning your first renovation or you've lived through several, this episode offers invaluable wisdom for navigating the project management relationship. Learn how to communicate effectively with your contractor, what to do if you feel communication breaking down, and why Jeff believes client-centered management creates the five-star experiences that lead to his company's perfect review record and steady stream of referrals. Ready to transform your space without the stress? This conversation is your essential first step.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome to the Remodel Contracting Podcast,
where outdated spaces meet theirmodern makeover destiny.
Hosted by Jeff Bass, generalcontractor, home renovation
expert and guy who firmlybelieves your avocado green
bathroom has gotta go.
Based in the DFW Metro, remodelContracting is here to help you
level up your living spaceBecause, hey, you updated your

(00:27):
wardrobe, now it's time toupdate your home.
Expect more, live better.
Let's remodel.

Speaker 2 (00:40):
Behind every smooth remodel is a solid project
manager.
Behind every smooth remodel isa solid project manager.
Jeff breaks down how a great PMkeeps your renovation on time,
on budget and off the stressrails.
Welcome back everyone.
I'm Sophia Yvette, co-host andproducer, back in the studio
with general contractor and homerenovation expert, jeff Bass.
Jeff, how's it going today?

(01:01):
Having a great day, sophia.

Speaker 3 (01:02):
Thank you, jeff Bass.
Jeff, how's it going today?
Having a great day, sophia.

Speaker 2 (01:04):
Thank you Great.
Now this one's overdue.
Let's talk about what trulymakes a project manager an
unsung hero of great renovation.
So, jeff, what should I expectfrom my project manager?

Speaker 3 (01:20):
Well, the most important thing your project
manager can offer you iscommunication Clear, concise
communication about your project, whether your project is
running on time, on budget,whether any problems have arisen
, or even if you're going tocomplete the project.
Early Communication is key.

(01:41):
Your project manager needs tounderstand that it's the
client's vision that we'recompleting.
So your project manager shouldbe asking questions of the
client along the way.
You know we can put everythingin writing, we can make
renderings, we can have pictures, we can go and pick out tile
and all that kind of stuff, butthere's going to be questions

(02:01):
that come up throughout theproject.
Where do you want this handtowel holder in the bathroom?
Or you know we've had a delaybecause the model of cabinet
that you ordered is no longeravailable.
They've changed the color.
We we don't know what's behindthat wall, and these are all

(02:25):
things that your project managershould communicate to you.
And there are some things too.
So, for example, depending onthe project, some clients think
the project manager is going tobe there all day, every day,
micromanaging the trades.
That's not the case.
That's not the projectmanager's job.
The project manager's job is tokeep the project on track and

(02:48):
being done properly.
Uh, it's not his job tomicromanage the trades, so your
project manager probably won'tbe there every day, but he's
always available tocommunication via phone call,
text, email or whatever.
And you know if the projectmanager is needed on a project
at the drop of a hat he canleave where he is and come to
your project if there's aquestion.
But again, depending on thesize of the project, on larger

(03:11):
projects he may be at their jobsite twice a week.
On quicker, smaller projects,he may be at the job site once
or twice a day.
It all depends on how quicklythe project's going and how long
the process is, how often heneeds to be there.
But again, like I said, thenumber one thing your project
manager should offer you iscommunication, whether it be

(03:33):
good news, bad news or anyquestions that you may have
along the way, and also settingexpectations, and that really
does fall under communication aswell.
It's funny when we work on aproject in a vacant house, we
get done so much quicker than ina house that's occupied, and
part of that reason is becausein a house that's occupied the

(03:55):
client goes and looks at the jobat the end of the day every day
, not understanding what theprocesses are, not understanding
that you know, for example,after we put the tile up and we
grout it.
We've got to wait before wegrout it.
It takes time, things like that.
You'll get a call oh why isthis not finished?
Why is this textured but notpainted yet?
Why is this this way?
And the more the projectmanager can offer that

(04:18):
communication ahead of time,then the less stress it causes
for the client and the lessphone calls it has to the
project manager if theexpectations are set properly
ahead of time.
So communication and settingexpectations are the top two
things your project managershould be doing.

Speaker 2 (04:35):
Now what should homeowners do if they feel like
communication with their PM isbreaking down?

Speaker 3 (04:43):
Well, that's why everybody has my cell phone
number.
The 4698315620 is my cell phonenumber.
You can call, text, communicatewith me anytime you want.
If there's something that's notclear from the PM, then you can
contact me and I will make surethat communication is taken
care of properly.
Yeah, that's what the homeownershould do.
They can always go abovesomeone's head and they can come

(05:05):
directly to me, the owner ofthe company.

Speaker 2 (05:08):
Okay, now, in your experience, what sets apart a
great project manager from justa decent one Number?
One thing.

Speaker 3 (05:18):
Again, it's going to fall under communication.
It's going to fall underrealizing that the client is the
top priority.
A good project manager willmanage the trades and the
project and the budget, but agreat project manager includes
the client in all of that aswell.
So a good project managerthinks that his job is related

(05:38):
to the project.
A great project managerunderstands that his job is
related to the client.

Speaker 2 (05:45):
Most definitely Now.
How do you train and supportyour PMs at Remodel Contracting
to keep quality and clientexperience top notch?

Speaker 3 (05:55):
It's a great question , sophia.
Well, sophia, I have abackground in customer service
and, as well as managing andleadership, I have had many
leadership roles over my lifeand pretty much everything I've
ever done has been related tocustomer service.
Life and pretty much everythingI've ever done has been related
to customer service.
So I take the skills that I'velearned over the past 40 years

(06:20):
and I work with my projectmanagers to instill those things
in them as well.
Anytime something comes up withone of my project managers
whether it be something with oneof the trades trades, or
whether it be something havingto do a communication with a
client I will sit down with themand coach them and sometimes
even role play on how we canhandle situations, because the
situations are going to come upagain and again.

Speaker 2 (06:41):
Most definitely Now.
What's the main role of aproject manager during a home
renovation, aside fromcommunication?
Making sure the project iscompleted in the time that we
promised.
What do those timelines looklike?
Rough estimate.

Speaker 3 (07:05):
It all depends.
I mean like, for example, arecent project we did in a
vacant home.
We did two bathrooms andflooring in two weeks In an
occupied home.
Two bathrooms and flooringActually we've got one right now
, we've just finished up.
I want to say that was almostfour weeks because the home was
occupied.
So when home is occupied, wetried our best to make it look
like we're not there.
When we're not there, whichmeans we're going to spend an

(07:28):
hour, hour and a half at the endof every day sweeping, cleaning
, you know, cleaning up our messfrom that day.
And then we come back in themorning, you know we're not
leaving our tools there, we'renot leaving all of our stuff
there.
So we're basically setting upand breaking down at the end of
every day, which which takeshours, which affects the
timeline of a project.
So, yeah, an occupied home cantake twice as long as an

(07:51):
unoccupied home to finish aproject.
Because if the home is vacant,it's okay if I don't sweep the
floor in the bathroom, where noone's going to be anyway.
But if the home's occupied, thehomeowner has that expectation
and we like to have that.
We like to have that quality ofservice as well.
Yeah, so it can take anywherebetween two and four weeks to do
most of our projects.

Speaker 2 (08:11):
Final question for you today, jeff.
How do you know a project wassuccessful in your opinion?

Speaker 3 (08:19):
I know a project is successful, in my opinion, two
ways One is referral clients andtwo is a five-star Google
review.
As of right now, my reviews onGoogle are all five stars,
nothing less than five stars,and the business that I get
comes from referrals.
So I'm blessed to have a teamthat supports me and sees my

(08:41):
vision, and I'm blessed to haveclients that trust me and
continue to use me for futureprojects, as well as refer me to
their friends and family.

Speaker 2 (08:52):
Great insight, as always.
Jeff, thanks for walking usthrough the day-to-day magic of
being a project manager.
Looking forward to what we'retackling next.
Have a great rest of your day.

Speaker 3 (09:03):
Thank you, sophia, you as well.

Speaker 1 (09:09):
That's a wrap for this episode of remodel
contracting podcast.
Ready to kick that 90s kitchento the curb?
For a free in-home consultation, call 469-831-5620 or visit
remodelcontractingnet.
Expect more, because your homedeserves better and honestly, so

(09:30):
do you.