Remodel Contracting Podcast

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

• Jeff Bass • Episode 7

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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

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Remodel Contracting Podcast, where outdated spaces meet their modern makeover destiny. Hosted by Jeff Bass, general contractor, home renovation expert and guy who firmly believes your avocado green bathroom has gotta go. Based in the DFW Metro, remodel Contracting is here to help you level up your living space Because, hey, you updated your wardrobe, now it's time to update your home. Expect more, live better. Let's remodel.

Speaker 2:

Behind every smooth remodel is a solid project manager. Behind every smooth remodel is a solid project manager. Jeff breaks down how a great PM keeps your renovation on time, on budget and off the stress rails. Welcome back everyone. I'm Sophia Yvette, co-host and producer, back in the studio with general contractor and home renovation expert, jeff Bass. Jeff, how's it going today? Having a great day, sophia.

Speaker 3:

Thank you, jeff Bass. Jeff, how's it going today? Having a great day, sophia.

Speaker 2:

Thank you Great. Now this one's overdue. Let's talk about what truly makes a project manager an unsung hero of great renovation. So, jeff, what should I expect from my project manager?

Speaker 3:

Well, the most important thing your project manager can offer you is communication 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 to complete the project. Early Communication is key. Your project manager needs to understand that it's the client's vision that we're completing. So your project manager should be asking questions of the client along the way. You know we can put everything in writing, we can make renderings, we can have pictures, we can go and pick out tile and all that kind of stuff, but there's going to be questions that come up throughout the project. Where do you want this hand towel holder in the bathroom? Or you know we've had a delay because the model of cabinet that you ordered is no longer available. They've changed the color. We we don't know what's behind that wall, and these are all things that your project manager should communicate to you. And there are some things too. So, for example, depending on the project, some clients think the project manager is going to be there all day, every day, micromanaging the trades. That's not the case. That's not the project manager's job. The project manager's job is to keep the project on track and being done properly. Uh, it's not his job to micromanage the trades, so your project manager probably won't be there every day, but he's always available to communication via phone call, text, email or whatever. And you know if the project manager is needed on a project at the drop of a hat he can leave where he is and come to your project if there's a question. But again, depending on the size of the project, on larger projects he may be at their job site twice a week. On quicker, smaller projects, he may be at the job site once or twice a day. It all depends on how quickly the project's going and how long the process is, how often he needs to be there. But again, like I said, the number one thing your project manager should offer you is communication, whether it be good news, bad news or any questions that you may have along the way, and also setting expectations, and that really does fall under communication as well.

Speaker 3:

It's funny when we work on a project in a vacant house, we get done so much quicker than in a house that's occupied, and part of that reason is because in a house that's occupied the client goes and looks at the job at the end of the day every day, not understanding what the processes are, not understanding that you know, for example, after we put the tile up and we grout it. We've got to wait before we grout it. It takes time, things like that. You'll get a call oh why is this not finished? Why is this textured but not painted yet? Why is this this way? And the more the project manager can offer that communication ahead of time, then the less stress it causes for the client and the less phone calls it has to the project manager if the expectations are set properly ahead of time. So communication and setting expectations are the top two things your project manager should be doing.

Speaker 2:

Now what should homeowners do if they feel like communication with their PM is breaking down?

Speaker 3:

Well, that's why everybody has my cell phone number. The 4698315620 is my cell phone number. You can call, text, communicate with me anytime you want. If there's something that's not clear from the PM, then you can contact me and I will make sure that communication is taken care of properly. Yeah, that's what the homeowner should do. They can always go above someone's head and they can come directly to me, the owner of the company.

Speaker 2:

Okay, now, in your experience, what sets apart a great project manager from just a decent one Number? One thing.

Speaker 3:

Again, it's going to fall under communication. It's going to fall under realizing that the client is the top priority. A good project manager will manage the trades and the project and the budget, but a great project manager includes the client in all of that as well. So a good project manager thinks that his job is related to the project. A great project manager understands that his job is related to the client.

Speaker 2:

Most definitely Now. How do you train and support your PMs at Remodel Contracting to keep quality and client experience top notch?

Speaker 3:

It's a great question, sophia. Well, sophia, I have a background in customer service and, as well as managing and leadership, I have had many leadership roles over my life and pretty much everything I've ever done has been related to customer service. Life and pretty much everything I've ever done has been related to customer service. So I take the skills that I've learned over the past 40 years and I work with my project managers to instill those things in them as well. Anytime something comes up with one of my project managers whether it be something with one of the trades trades, or whether it be something having to do a communication with a client I will sit down with them and coach them and sometimes even role play on how we can handle situations, because the situations are going to come up again and again.

Speaker 2:

Most definitely Now. What's the main role of a project manager during a home renovation, aside from communication? Making sure the project is completed in the time that we promised. What do those timelines look like? Rough estimate.

Speaker 3:

It all depends. I mean like, for example, a recent project we did in a vacant home. We did two bathrooms and flooring in two weeks In an occupied home. Two bathrooms and flooring Actually we've got one right now, we've just finished up. I want to say that was almost four weeks because the home was occupied.

Speaker 3:

So when home is occupied, we tried our best to make it look like we're not there. When we're not there, which means we're going to spend an hour, hour and a half at the end of every day sweeping, cleaning, you know, cleaning up our mess from that day. And then we come back in the morning, you know we're not leaving our tools there, we're not leaving all of our stuff there. So we're basically setting up and breaking down at the end of every day, which which takes hours, which affects the timeline of a project. So, yeah, an occupied home can take twice as long as an unoccupied home to finish a project. Because if the home is vacant, it's okay if I don't sweep the floor in the bathroom, where no one's going to be anyway. But if the home's occupied, the homeowner has that expectation and we like to have that. We like to have that quality of service as well. Yeah, so it can take anywhere between two and four weeks to do most of our projects.

Speaker 2:

Final question for you today, jeff. How do you know a project was successful in your opinion?

Speaker 3:

I know a project is successful, in my opinion, two ways One is referral clients and two is a five-star Google review. As of right now, my reviews on Google 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 team that supports me and sees my vision, and I'm blessed to have clients that trust me and continue to use me for future projects, as well as refer me to their friends and family.

Speaker 2:

Great insight, as always. Jeff, thanks for walking us through the day-to-day magic of being a project manager. Looking forward to what we're tackling next. Have a great rest of your day.

Speaker 3:

Thank you, sophia, you as well.

Speaker 1:

That's a wrap for this episode of remodel contracting podcast. Ready to kick that 90s kitchen to the curb? For a free in-home consultation, call 469-831-5620 or visit remodelcontractingnet. Expect more, because your home deserves better and honestly, so do you.