FEES FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
For all large renovations, a project management fee, based on the initial estimated cost of the works required, is calculated using a percentage rate.
The project fee is fixed at the start, based on the initial cost estimate, before works begin. The project fee is fixed and does not go up or down. Project fee rates are usually 15%, (depending on the size of the project.)
For all projects, a contract is signed by both parties; with 2,3 or 4 stages of works; (depending on the job complexity) detailed within. Each stage of the project, has a list of applicable works, itemised for each stage and the client must pay direct for the materials and labour, as and when the work is completed (and is fully checked) by an Essence Interiors consultant.
A project management fee (which will be invoiced separately by Essence), for management of your renovation, is payable at the start of each stage.
All trades and materials costs are directly paid to suppliers by the client, after each task or works have been complete. This is mostly done by direct contact with suppliers, by phone on the day of purchasing and with trades direct or via email.
Included in a project fee are: All purchasing and showroom selection visits, management & total supervision of trades, design work and sketches, selection and supervision of trades, regular cost reports, full report of outgoings through excel, colour consult and materials selections, handover meeting and full documentation (a file) of quotes at final.
A $550 deposit on the full project fee, (which comes off the total project fee bill and is non-refundable if the renovation does not go ahead) is required to book and hold a date for a renovation and to pay for a ‘QUOTE DAY’. This amount is to cover consultant works done prior to start date such as quoting, estimating and materials sourcing.
“QUOTE DAY”; this is required to obtain all necessary quotes for the agreed scope of work and takes around 4-5 hours on one single day. As many trades as possible attend this day and they are requested to send in a quote within a week. Their quotes are all collated on excel and items such as materials (tiles, taps, skip, demo) are added to this estimate.
The itemised total is then called the “TOTAL ESTIMATED COST” at start. Project management fees are 15% of the total estimated cost at start and are fixed.
** PLEASE NOTE- the original quotes by trades will not be made available to the client until the handover is complete. The quotes are itemised but only the total amount is listed in the cost report at start.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT FEES;
Amongst other things the role of project manager is to:
- Order all taps, sinks, floor wastes, toilets, showers, basins, baths, plug and waste and all necessary items ensuring that the set- out, the wells rating and the dimensions of all items are in line with the plans.
- Liaise with the cabinet maker and supply the basins and taps for the job as he will need to cut out the hoe for sink and tap. Design and select finishes for any cabinetry. Select stone for vanity top if using and get a template for stone mason.
- Check that on delivery of these items that mistakes have not been made to the order – yes this happens ALL the time; (wrong sinks, no plugs, wrong floor waste, missing parts.)
- Meet tradies on site and brief them on how you want the work to look or to function. Order a skip bin to collect the rubble and make sure the site is kept clean and tidy of rubble.
- Select all tiles, ( with or without the client), decided on design and look of the tile lay out and the decorative elements, grout and angle ( if using angle to finish off edges) and have them all delivered and ready on site
Brief the tiler about the layout of the tiles, which direction tiles should run and how they are to be used in decorative tiling and where the fall of tiles needs to be in showers etc, hob or no hob, will there be a tiled hob below the vanity or in the shower etc; Tiling is the MOST VISUAL job and you’ll want to get his one right!.
- Brief Plumber on the exact position of the pipes and the floor waste, type of waste, types and positioning of taps, shower head height (this varies with people), position of spouts, type and selection of toilet and its operation (wall hung toilets and concealed cistern toilets especially.)
- Brief the electrician on the positioning of lights and power points and if heated towel rails, extractor fans etc are required and have all items ready on site. Are regulations met regarding safety switch and smoke detectors?
- Meet the glazier – measure up and decide what screens and mirror size/ types are needed.
- Supervise all trades and organise a painter and carpenter to finish off the details at the end.
- Troubleshoot – there are numerous things that can and do go wrong- not enough tiles, damaged goods, wrong fittings that won’t fit, not enough grout, plumbing problems. Its our job to keep it running smoothly.
