Whole-house remodel - Organization help!

17 years ago

Hi folks - We just bought a tiny 2-br ranch that we're planning on completely renovating, just keeping the basement foundation. We plan to put additions on to make room for larger kit/dining area, and to add another BR/bath, and add a small second floor. DH is a contractor, so we'll be GCing it ourselves and doing most of the work ourselves as well (subbing out framing and some of the plumbing/electrical... DH is mostly a finish carpenter). We're about to submit plans to town (just so you know what stage we're at), but I'm already getting overwhelmed with the choices and planning involved! So here's the question - does anyone have a way they organize their project? Like a notebook/binder divided into categories to keep track of everything?? Anyone? How do you do it?

TIA, bloominwhereplanted

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Comments (5)

brunosonio
17 years ago
We just finished what you did...whole house remodel that we GC'ed ourselves.

I learned a great hint in here...get a big binder from Office Depot (at least 2" thick spine). Get a bunch of dividers. Put one divider for every last thing and sub you can think of. File everything properly as it accumulates. I can't tell you how often I referred to the binder, or referred one of my subs to information that was in the binder.

Also...use Excel or Quicken to keep a running spreadsheet on your expenses, complete with as many subcategories and classes as you can think of. You can always create more on the fly as you need them.

Keep all your bids, invoices, bills, and research in the binder. It helped so much to have it all in one place.

Also...for all of your appliances and hardware, go to their websites, and download spec sheets for everything, complete iwth installation instructions and specs. Put those in the binder as well...when any of your subs have a question, check the binder...it's all there.
bloominwhereplanted
Original Author
17 years ago
brunosonio - Awesome... just what I was looking for!! I thought of the binder idea, but so far only thought to divide it by room. And I hadn't thought of Excel spreadsheet... did you categorize that the same as your binder or differently? I guess I'm just a visual person, it helps so much to see it and know I'm tracking everything! Thanks for the help...
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brunosonio
17 years ago
Divide it by subs...electrical, roofing, windows, flooring, tile, plumbing, etc. It's easier to find things that way. Your subs will have a lot of questions, so keep the binder handy where they can consult it if they need to.

As for your financial record...Excel is great, and Quicken is easier to use. With Quicken, I could see where the money was going, and which account (equity line, checking account, credit card) it was coming from. Create a category called Home Renovation. Then create sub categories for each of the various aspects of the job...they will usually correspond with the folders in your binder.

And by keeping your financial records separate from the binder, you can keep the binder out for everyone to look at.

Keep your permits and copies of applications for permits in the folder on the inside of the front cover of the binder.

And don't forget to keep records of how much state income tax you paid on everything if your state allows a federal tax deduction (as WA State does) on your federal taxes.

You might want to set up a small work table in a common area with the binder and a copy of the architectural plans.
kec01
17 years ago
And to make that binder really useful and efficient...get a 3 hole punch. Otherwise, you'll be like me - carrying all the paperwork back and forth to work for hole punching before it could get into the binder.

I kept our binder by sub and then by product. Doing it by room is going to end up lumping lots together that'll result in more time digging to find what you are looking for.

Have fun .... and keep sane!
sis3
17 years ago
We are the GC's on our whole house rebuild. I keep a plastic box with colored file folders for each aspect of the remodel, eg. electrical, plumbing, roof, windows and doors. It is easy then to just pick up the relevant file to take with me to the jobsite or meeting with the sub etc and very quick to file the paperwork in the relevant folder. I have another box with brochures on appliances, cabinets, light fixtures etc, in identical colored folders for easy reference. I keep spreadsheets in Excel and Peachtree (though Excel alone would be fine) for financial records and Excel for the job log. It has worked a treat!.

Whole-house remodel - Organization help!

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brunosonio

bloominwhereplanted
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Whole-house remodel - Organization help!

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brunosonio

bloominwhereplantedOriginal Author

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sis3

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bloominwhereplanted
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