Dear [NAME];
Welcome to our last newsletter for 2009.
The Site Foreman were very pleased to hear that we were nominated for our professional services from Ashfield Chambers of Commerce, Buisness Awards
2009. We had a fabulous night.
Why use a project manager?
Interview with Rob & Tara Hutchinson
Rob and Tara are a well prepared couple. They had done a lot of research regarding their renovation via the internet as a lot of people are doing now. Both professionals in their field they are time poor so would often find themselves on the net till 3am in the morning.
Through friends and associates they had been told some real horror stories about the building industry.
“We knew this was going to be a major renovation and we needed the right people to get it done” said Rob.
Rob and Tara approached The Site Foreman at the Home Show in Darling Harbour armed with plans and ready to go the next step.
They didn’t need our architectural department as Tara is a highly qualified architect herself.
So obviously my first question to them both was:
Why did you decide to use The Site Foreman for Project Management and what were the benefits?
Rob explained that you don’t have to be with the builder all the time. Even though our employment is close by we didn’t have to worry about what was happening on site. The project manager looks at work in progress, he knew what to look for being in the industry for so long. Builders ask what you want.
Where as the project manager tells you what you need.
The project manager was always available; you’re dealing with someone that’s done a lot of this kind of work. He told us straight, “If we didn’t do the door a certain way it will look bad, it must be fixed.”
Tara, you’re an architect why did you bother with project management?
I am trained as an architect and not as a project manager. I’m not confident in talking to the builders. I also know if I had done the project managing the time line would have been a lot longer and costs a lot higher.
What were some of the problems on site and how were they dealt with?
At the beginning we had a huge problem, as the back of the house was being demolished instead of the frame being on a cement block it had been built on sand!
It was a major engineering problem. The Site Foreman’s project manager talked to their engineer and came up with the solution that was extremely cost effective and hassle free, to us.
Another problem was that the bifold doors that open the kitchen out to the court yard was a “standard” height instead of “full height” as soon as you walked in the front door your eye would look straight to the back and the dis proportion was visible , it put the whole look and feel of the house out. Once again the project manager explained that we would never be happy with it and it must be changed. We agreed, it was fixed and again at a reduced cost.
How did House To Home help with you Tara being an architect?
Joumana and the girls are great. We didn’t have anytime. So we stipulated what we wanted. Joumana narrowed the ideas down by asking if we wanted round or square angles in the kitchen, bathroom designs. Colours and fabric discussions.
Rob explained that Tara knew she wanted straight lines, no handles throughout the kitchen. We knew being in a terrace we needed streamline and a kitchen that works. A gallow or u shape works when you have a lot of space but here, we needed streamline.
I knew that I wanted the oven on one end finishing with the fridge on the other, it’s efficient that way.
We love the contrast of the coloured splash back with the Caesar stone Hazel bench top.
We also knew that we wanted King Furniture but most of their products are very large. Joumana found the colour, the fabrics and the size that fits perfectly and we love the foot stools.
What was the best part of your build?
Knowing that we had qualified people to help us and keeping close to budget.
The process was quite enjoyable.
We were travelling three hours daily to work. I would be up at 5am travelling into Sydney to make it to the site meeting once a week by 8am before work..
If there was something I didn’t agree on I didn’t have to confront the builder, I would go home and email my project manager so he could go and confront the builder.
One situation was the project manager had told the builder that the back column needed to be dressed with the cedar, when I came back the following week the entire back was in cedar. It was way over the top. The project manager explained to the builder that it was done incorrectly, take it down, fix it and at no cost to us.
It was done straight away, with no fuss and no cost to us.
Do you feel this renovation has added value to your home?
Yes, said Tara but for me it’s more than that. The money side is great but it’s more to do with connecting to our lifestyle. Before the renovation you couldn’t really see the backyard. We never went out the back; it wasn’t welcoming, now it’s amazing!
Rob agrees, we now have two bedrooms, a reading room, two bathrooms and a large office with views of the beautiful gum trees, here, in Redfern.
At times I feel we are back in the country, Tara explains.
We have taken a small terrace and made it very flexible.
How did you go with your budget?
There will always be one thing that doesn’t go to plan. Ours was the cement because of the sand the house had been built on. We needed to lay a lot more cement.
Always have a little money over for that unexpected problem.
We were about 3 to 4% over on the finishes and that’s because we wanted certain things ourselves so we took them out of the building contract and did it ourselves.
Would you do it again?
They look at each other and say together; yes, whether it is for an investment or a bigger family home, definitely and we wouldn’t do it without The Site Foreman.
Development Opportunities
Turn your idle money into development profits.
From time to time through contacts and research we come across development sites. In the past we have had clients asking to be kept informed for investment opportunist.
Depending on the scale, the investors of the project can participate individually or as part of a consortium.
Link is: http://www.thesiteforeman.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=36
House to Home Finishes Newsletter Promotion
It is that time of year again where we start thinking about all things we need to do with our home to take us into the New Year.
Wether it is a kitchen makeover, assistance with
furniture selection at wholesale prices or a coat of new paint to freshen up your surrounds –
We Can Help!
For the months of December 2009 and January 2010 we are offering our service to you for a low hourly rate of $77 per hour incl. GST.
Unbelievable – This is a cost saving of $48 per hour!
Normally
Project Management Clients $ 99.00 per hr incl. GST
Non-Project Management Clients $125.00 per hr incl. GST
Services Available for Promotional Period
- Internal and External Colour Consultancy
- All joinery design assistance including elevation, drawings and
quotations
- Bathroom design and layout assistance incl. elevation drawings and
quotations
- Furniture Placement
- Shopping Assistance for all internal and external finishes e.g. tiles, tapware, timber flooring etc
- Shopping assistance for furniture selection and trade prices where
Applicable
The first (5) clients to take advantage of this offer will receive FREE – Colour Sample boards (Minimum value of $280.00)
3D Colour drawings available on request and priced per job
The “Selection of extra services provided” is calculated separately to the “Basic House to Home Finishes Consultancy Package” which you receive FREE of charge as part of Project Management if you choose this service with The Site Foreman.
Should you choose to undertake the “Basic House to Home Finishes Consultancy Package” with out Project Management, this is priced on request and calculated on the number of items you would require assistance with.
Merry Christmas and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
For further information, please contact Joumana Moore on 1300 728 006 or 0408707153
The Siteforeman is about building a team of experts around you!!!
These are ones that didn't make the grade...
Our office is closing for the holidays from the 18th December 2009 and we are back on the 26th January 2010.
Sadly we are saying goodbye to Irene, our lovely receptionist. We wish her all the happiness and success in her future.
The Siteforeman wishes you a Merry Christmas, enjoy the time with your family and we shall see you in 2010.
Regards
Helen Dowsley
The Site Foreman
www.thesiteforeman.com.au
1300 728 006
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