How We Stay Organized Through a Renovation, (Including Spreadsheet)
Hey y'all! We posted a brief snapshot of our "Renovation spreadsheet" on instagram stories a few weeks ago, and we got more responses than ever! Many of you asked for a copy. Some of you simply wanted to follow along, while others of you wanted a copy to help you stay organized during your ongoing or upcoming renovation! So, here is a glimpse into our “system;" what we used to stay organized! Of course, all renovations are very different, so this list of tasks will not exclusively pertain to your project, but hopefully you will be able to use the format below to help you create your own task list. (Side note - LOVE hearing how many of our readers are renovating themselves!)
I am going to tell you the hardest thing about renovating - GETTING GOOD SUBS AND GETTING THEM TO SHOW UP ON TIME! The construction industry is INSANE right now. Everyone Is busy. Carpenters, plumbers, electricians - they have plenty of business. We are very lucky to a have a WONDERFUL team of subs. When we find good ones, we treat them well and keep them close. Here is how our spreadsheet helps us do that :
One way to keep your subs happy and showing up? Stay organized and GET IN LINE ahead of time. For example, I know we are going to need some drywall done mid October, so, a month prior, I asked him to pencil me in, rather than calling asking for service that week.
I color code the spreadsheet, so that I can see where and when we need each sub. They like to come and do all of their work at once, rather than do different tasks on different days. So, I make sure that the drywaller is done in the kitchen, and electrician done in the bathroom, before I ask the carpenter to put the cabinets in both rooms. That way, he can show up ONCE and do both tasks. This will save you $$ as they will charge you more for additional days. That is why you see large "color blocks" in the spreadsheet.
If something does not get done on time, this system allows me to catch it right away, I can call my subs and let them know to push us back a day, etc. This way, we can keep one delay from causing a myriad of delays. If a sub shows up and you are not ready for them, you may get pushed to the back of the line of their busy schedules. This is how renovations get delayed and can end up taking twice as long as planned.
I edit this every Sunday, and move cells around as necessary.
Attached is a download (with some snapshots below)
Hope this is helpful, and enjoy renovating!!
HJJ