Project Management: How to Keep Your Renovation on Track

Renovating your home is exciting, but it can quickly become overwhelming without proper project management. With multiple trades involved—joinery, electrics, plumbing, decorating, and more—it’s easy for budgets to spiral out of control and timelines to slip.

Good project management ensures your renovation runs smoothly, on budget, and to schedule. In this blog, we’ll break down how to approach your project, including splitting work into packages, budgeting correctly, and planning for hidden costs.

Breaking Down Your Renovation into Work Packages

Rather than viewing your renovation as one big project, it’s more effective to split it into manageable work packages. This approach allows for better cost control, scheduling, and coordination between trades.

Common Work Packages in a Renovation

• Joinery & Carpentry – Custom wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, doors, skirting boards.

• Electrics & Lighting – Rewiring, socket installation, feature lighting, smart home systems.

• Plumbing & Heating – Bathrooms, kitchens, underfloor heating, boiler upgrades.

• Flooring – Tiling, wooden floors, carpets, and underlays.

• Plastering & Drywall – Repairing or installing walls and ceilings.

• Decorating & Finishes – Painting, wallpapering, feature walls, finishing touches.

Each work package requires different trades, materials, and scheduling considerations, so careful planning is key.

Budgeting for Each Work Package

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is setting a single overall budget without breaking it down. This leads to unexpected overspending and difficult trade-offs later.

How to Allocate Your Budget

Set a budget for each work package based on quotes and material costs.
Keep a contingency fund (typically 10-15%) for unexpected expenses.
Track spending to avoid overspending on one area and running short elsewhere.

For example, if your total renovation budget is £50,000:

• Joinery & Carpentry – £10,000

• Electrics & Lighting – £5,000

• Plumbing & Heating – £8,000

• Flooring – £6,000

• Decorating & Finishes – £4,000

• Project Management & Interior Design Fees – £3,000

• Contingency Fund – £7,000

Don’t Forget Additional Fees

Many homeowners forget to factor in additional professional fees, leading to unexpected costs.

• Project Management Fees – If you’re hiring a project manager to oversee contractors, handle scheduling, and keep the project on track, expect to pay a percentage of the total project cost.

• Interior Design Fees – A professional designer ensures your space is not only functional but also beautifully cohesive.

• Planning & Building Control Fees – If your project requires planning permission or building control approval, these fees need to be included in your budget.

Why Project Management is Essential for a Smooth Renovation

Without a clear plan, renovations can quickly become chaotic, with delays, cost overruns, and miscommunications between trades. A structured project management approach ensures:

• Trades are scheduled in the correct order, avoiding delays.

• Budgets are managed effectively, preventing unexpected costs.

• Issues are resolved quickly, rather than causing major disruptions.

Studio Five offers project management services, ensuring your renovation stays on track from start to finish!

How Studio Five Can Help

At Studio Five Interior Design, we provide:

• Tailored Design Services, helping you plan your renovation with expert styling and space planning.

• Project Management Services, taking the stress off your shoulders by handling contractor coordination, scheduling, and quality control.