PROJECT SCOPE

Often we will ask our clients to make a wish list of everything they would want to create their dream home. This is typically an iterative process that can be refined over time based on conversations between the designer and homeowner as it relates to budget, schedule and priorities. The end result is the Project Scope.

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In most cases the project scope will change quite a bit between your initial wish list to the finished project. But for now, we urge you to identify everything you hope to accomplish, everything you want and everything you cannot live without. In time your list will inevitably narrow (or grow) as your budget is compared against initial estimates. As you and your contractor begin to take your budget into consideration a project scope plan will help all parties prioritize. (i.e. is adding a new window necessary, or is there a similar but slightly cheaper countertop alternative?) In most instances your entire wish list will not fit into your budget, or maybe you cannot do everything at once due to time constraints, so we recommend that you break the project down into phases. The phases are identified based on your priorities and the improvements that make sense to do simultaneously. Our quick rule of the thumb is to focus on what cannot be changed later. For example, you just bought a home and you know you want to redo your floors, well this becomes number one on your priorities list despite that awkward 1970s fuchsia first floor powder keg (I mean room) calling your name. So we recommend that floors are the first thing you do before you move into your house. In the long run it saves you time and money by not duplicating efforts (…moving in, moving out, paying for storage, moving in again). Let theSteps help you prioritize your project, and help you break down your project into phases. We have categorized what we think should matter first and what might wait. Click here for Priorities

Creating your Project Scope

  1. Creating your wish list for your project. Use our Questionnaire to help guide you through

  2. Know Your Costs

    • You need to have a basic idea of the cost of each item on your list. When speaking to your contractor, designer, and/or any specialists, request detailed estimates from each as this will establish a baseline of the project scope and subsequent costs. Ultimately this process will aid you in redefining your wish list/priorities. Importantly it will aid in narrowing your priorities from highest to lowest. While the numbers will still be rough, at this point it should provide you with enough guidance to once again focus in on what needs be completed in phase 1, and what can wait until a later phase. Your design team will all be able to help you make these important decisions. For your convenience all of this information can be updated and stored in theSteps online Budget spreadsheet (coming soon!)

  3. Is your time frame realistic? Project length is often one of the most common areas of frustration for all parties involved. To avoid this, make sure it is reasonable by talking it through with the contractor and other design professionals. Delays are inevitable! If you are more realistic from the start, you will assuredly have a more enjoyable experience.

  4. Now its time to refine your wish list into the final project scope one more time. This helps distill the nice-to-haves from the must-haves.

  5. Taking action! Now it is time to take all of your preparation (the Project Scope) and transfer it onto theSteps Project Worksheet. This is the final stage of getting really organized and simultaneously alleviating that terrible feeling of being overwhelmed. For the highly organized this is a godsend as it helps the homeowner physically see the entirety of the project all in one place. This is a working document that lists every item that goes into a job and will be utilized from beginning-to-end as items are ordered, received, and installed; in addition to storing vendor names and tracking numbers. Best of all the worksheet is categorized by room. Eventually this document will be shared and distributed to the entire team. See a copy of our Project Worksheet here.