Renovating or expanding a facility while it’s in use is a tough task. You need to keep operations going, but also make changes to the building. Here are five tips to help minimize disruption during your next renovation:
- Plan for Coexistence During Construction: Ideally, you’d pause all non-construction activities during the renovation. But that’s not always possible. Whether it’s a school, factory, or hospital, you need to keep things running. The key is to minimize disruption and ensure everyone’s safety. Meet with your team early to plan how to avoid major conflicts. This might mean doing work in phases, during off-hours, or strictly on weekends. Clear communication is crucial to keeping everyone informed.
- Choose the Right Contractor: Renovating an occupied building isn’t the same as working on an empty one. Your contractor needs to understand this. Before hiring, check if they’ve handled similar jobs before and can provide reliable workers for night or weekend work if needed. Also, review their safety policies and emergency preparedness.
- Set Clear Timelines and Milestones: Agree on how long the renovation will take and when key parts will be done. Even with the best plans, some disruptions are inevitable. Make sure everyone knows what to expect and when. Keep stakeholders updated on any changes, delays, or issues that could affect the timeline.
- Include Contingency Time: It’s better to allow extra time and finish early than to promise a tight timeline and miss it. Build in contingency time for unexpected problems. This will give you some breathing room to address issues without delaying the project.
- Prepare the Space in Advance: Don’t let your contractor show up ready to work, only to find the area unprepared. Make sure all necessary preparations are made in advance. Appoint someone to oversee these tasks and check a day or two beforehand to avoid any obstacles.
By following these tips, your renovation project can proceed with minimal disruption to daily operations.
