HOW TO STAY ON BUDGET WITHOUT CLASHING WITH YOUR TRADES - Even if you’ve never managed a building site before.
Tradespeople aren’t just there to do the job,
they’re one of the biggest levers you have for protecting your profit.
Here’s something most new renovators don’t realise:
Tradespeople aren’t just there to do the job, they’re one of the biggest levers you have for protecting your profit.
Whether you’re working to a fixed quote or paying day rates, time always costs.
And when a project runs over or off-schedule, it’s often not because of big disasters.
It’s because no one’s managing the small stuff properly.
Here’s how to avoid that, and keep your renovation moving, your trades happy, and your budget in check:
1. Make the setup easy.
Tradespeople waste time every day just setting up and packing down.
If they can’t store tools securely on site, that time (and cost) adds up fast.
Provide a safe space and lock-up storage if you can. It makes a real difference.
2. Keep the site clean.
You don’t need to scrub floors, but a clear site helps everyone work faster.
Don’t pay your skilled trades to sweep. Bring in a labourer for the simple stuff, or do a 10-minute tidy each day yourself if needed. It pays off.
3. Manage the logistics.
You don’t need to be on-site full time, but you do need to stay on top of supplies and deliveries.
Missed orders and wasted phone calls slow things down and frustrate trades.
If something runs out or gets delayed, be the one who sorts it quickly.
4. Step in where it makes sense.
You’re not there to replace a builder, but you can handle small physical jobs if it helps.
Shifting materials. Digging holes. Moving rubbish. These things slow everyone down if no one owns them.
Done safely, your presence can keep the job running smoother, and your trades will notice.
None of this is about doing everything yourself.
It’s about knowing where your time makes the most impact.
And managing a project in a way that saves money without cutting corners.
We don’t “project manage” by guesswork.
We run renovations like a business, smart, hands-on, and always one step ahead.