The Secret to a Happy Project

The end of a renovation or new build project is a funny, emotionally-charged thing. There’s excitement, there’s celebration, there are hugs (at least there used to be, pre-Covid - now it’s a weird elbow-bump thing), and there’s a sense of achievement, fulfilment, and anticipation for the wonderful next chapter in our clients’ lives.

Last week our beautiful clients moved in to the biggest project we’ve completed to date. It was 18 months in the making - a total knock-down-rebuild, from floor plan design to interior furnishing, for a beautiful family navigating a whole lot… life as new parents, the stress of uncertain economic times, fear of shutdowns and impacts to work caused by Covid. All while investing in a new build. Sheesh! Where’s my paper bag to breathe in to?

And yet, when the last surface was wiped free of dust and Jamie the builder (Method Building Projects) handed them over the key to their new home, it wasn’t met with a sigh of relief or a sideways comment like “Thank goodness that’s over!”. Instead, our clients very kindly shared that they had both agreed the whole project had been “one of the most enjoyable experiences” of their lives, and almost didn’t want it to end.

Cue much cheers-ing and spotting away tears and declaring we should “do it all again”!

Back in the studio the next day, Renee and I wondered if there was a magic formula that could be gleaned from that project and sprinkled over ALL our projects like fairy dust. A way we could ensure ALL our clients had a home transformation experience that was enjoyable, fulfilling, and an exciting life-highlight. (And not what we so often hear about renovation and building projects in general - a stressful, dust-filled living nightmare.)

People Power

Our caffeine-fuelled pondering did not unearth the discovery of any fairy dust per se.

But having designed and executed many projects for our clients as well as for ourselves, we agreed there's definitely a theme that emerges when you take a moment to examine and review the most smoothly run adventures in residential re-dos. And for us, the consistent feature is the presence of a strong team.

Sure, there can be budget blowouts and council complications that have nothing to do with people. There can be site constraints and rain delays and other mini-disasters beyond anyone's control. But when the going gets tough, it's your team that can get you through it.

Forming an A-team

So, like any first-grade sporting team, it's worth spending the time early on to recruit positions carefully, select their strengths strategically and think about how they’ll perform together on the field. Form a team of professionals who get you, who you can easily communicate with (preferably laugh often with), who will collaborate willingly with other team members and who genuinely care deeply about the result.

Ask them how often you’ll meet, what the decision process will look like, how they handle complications when they arise. Look at how they lead their own teams, what their culture is within their business, and what values they hold strong. Speak to their references and quiz them about responsiveness, resilience and organisation skills.

And then, of course once you’ve selected your team, trust them. Send them out onto the field and have faith in the process, and in the experience and skills your professionals bring to the game. Have confidence in the fact that you can always call a time-out to raise an issue, discuss ideas and manage those mini-disasters together, collaboratively.

And hopefully, the wins will be even sweeter, the laughs will be even heartier, and you can enjoy the project for what it really is, the start of a wonderful new chapter for you and your family. 😀

And we couldn’t end this post without a little shoutout to the A-team involved in the aforementioned project. Method Building Projects; Luxe Joinery ; Action Plans. You are all legends.

Thinking about renovating? We’d love to hear from you!