Creating Projects

Creating Projects

Learn how to create and set up renovation projects for success in Home Renovation Pro.

Getting Started with Projects

Projects are the foundation of your renovation journey in Home Renovation Pro. A well-structured project helps you stay organized, track progress, and manage your budget effectively.

This guide will walk you through the process of creating new projects and setting them up for success.

Before starting a new project, it's helpful to gather information about your renovation goals, timeline, and budget to make the setup process smoother.

Creating a New Project

Creating a new project is simple and straightforward:

Basic Project Setup

1. Navigate to the Projects page:

   Click on "Projects" in the main navigation menu on the left sidebar of your dashboard.

2. Click "Create New Project":

   Look for the "+ New Project" button at the top right of the page. This will open the project creation form.

3. Fill in project details:

   Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "Kitchen Renovation 2024" rather than just "Kitchen"), select a category from the dropdown menu, and add a comprehensive description that outlines your goals.

4. Set your timeline:

   Define your expected start and end dates using the calendar selectors. Be realistic and include buffer time for unexpected delays.

5. Establish a budget:

   Enter your estimated total budget. You'll be able to break this down into categories later. If you're uncertain, you can provide a rough estimate and refine it as your planning progresses.

6. Select project visibility:

   Choose whether your project is private, shared with specific team members, or visible to all your collaborators.

7. Save your project:

   Click "Create Project" to save and begin working. You'll be redirected to your new project dashboard.

Project Creation Options

• Start from scratch:

  Build your project structure completely customized to your needs.

• Use a template:

  Select from our library of pre-built project templates to save time and ensure you don't miss important elements (click "Use Template" on the project creation page).

• Clone an existing project:

  Duplicate one of your previous projects as a starting point by selecting the "Clone" option from the menu of an existing project.

Setting Up Project Details

After creating your project, you'll want to add more details to make it comprehensive and actionable:

Visual Elements

• Add photos or plans:

  Upload reference images, design plans, or inspiration photos to guide your project. Click the "Files" tab and then "Upload Files" to add:

  • "Before" photos of your space
  • Inspiration images from magazines or websites
  • Architectural drawings or floor plans
  • Material samples and swatches
• Create mood boards:

  Use the "Design" section to collect and organize visual inspiration for colors, materials, and styles.

• Upload reference documents:

  Add any existing quotes, contracts, or specification documents to the "Documents" folder.

Team Collaboration

• Invite team members:

  Add family members, contractors, or other collaborators who need access to the project:

  1. Go to the "Team" tab in your project
  2. Click "Add Member" and enter their email address
  3. Select their role (Owner, Contractor, Designer, etc.)
  4. Set appropriate permissions (View only, Edit, Admin)
• Define responsibilities:

  Clarify who is responsible for different aspects of the project using the "Responsibilities" feature under the Team section.

• Set up communication preferences:

  Configure how and when team members receive notifications about project updates in the "Communication Settings" area.

Project Structure

• Define project areas:

  Break down your project into specific spaces or areas:

  • Click "Areas" in the project menu
  • Select "Add Area" and name each space (e.g., kitchen, main bathroom, living room)
  • Add dimensions and special considerations for each area
  • Attach relevant photos to each area for reference
• Create project phases:

  Divide your project into logical phases such as planning, demolition, construction, and finishing to better organize tasks and timeline.

• Set priorities:

  Mark which aspects of the project are most important or urgent using the priority flags (High, Medium, Low) to guide decision-making when challenges arise.

Using Project Templates

Save time by using one of our pre-made project templates or create your own to standardize your renovation workflow:

Exploring Available Templates

• Browse templates:

  When creating a new project, click "Use Template" to see available options organized by project type.

• Preview template details:

  Click on any template to see a preview of its structure, including tasks, phases, and budget categories before selecting it.

• Popular templates include:

  We offer specialized templates for common renovation projects, each with industry-standard phases and tasks:

  • Kitchen Renovation: Complete remodel workflow including cabinet selection, appliance installation, and finishing details
  • Bathroom Remodel: Structured process for updating fixtures, tiling, and plumbing
  • Full Home Renovation: Comprehensive multi-room renovation with phased scheduling
  • Simple Room Makeover: Quick cosmetic updates like painting, flooring, and décor changes
  • Outdoor Living Space: Deck, patio, or landscape renovation templates

Creating Custom Templates

• Create a template from an existing project:

  Turn a successful project into a reusable template:

  1. Open the completed project you want to use as a template
  2. Click on "Project Settings" in the top-right menu
  3. Select "Save as Template" from the dropdown
  4. Give your template a name and description
  5. Choose which elements to include (tasks, budget categories, team roles, etc.)
  6. Click "Create Template" to save
• Template customization:

  After selecting a template, you can still customize it to fit your specific project needs by adding, removing, or modifying elements.

• Share templates with your team:

  Make your custom templates available to team members for consistent project management across multiple renovations.

Budget Setup and Management

Setting up a detailed budget is crucial for keeping your renovation project on track financially:

Initial Budget Configuration

• Create budget categories:

  Navigate to the "Budget" tab and click "Add Category" to organize your expenses:

  • Materials (lumber, tile, paint, etc.)
  • Labor (contractor fees, specialized trades)
  • Fixtures and Appliances
  • Permits and Inspections
  • Design and Consultation
  • Contingency Fund (recommend 10-20% of total budget)
• Set category allocations:

  Distribute your total budget across categories based on project priorities and industry standards.

• Add specific line items:

  Within each category, add detailed line items for specific expenses with estimated costs.

• Link quotes and invoices:

  Upload and attach vendor quotes or estimates to relevant budget items for reference.

Budget Tracking Features

• Track actual vs. estimated costs:

  As your project progresses, record actual expenses to compare against your estimates and identify variances.

• Set up budget alerts:

  Configure notifications to alert you when you're approaching or exceeding category budgets.

• Generate budget reports:

  Use the reporting tools to create snapshots of your financial status throughout the project.

Next Steps After Project Creation

Once your project foundation is created, these next steps will help you build out a comprehensive project plan:

Task Management

• Add tasks:

  Break down your project into manageable tasks with clear descriptions:

  1. Go to the "Tasks" tab in your project
  2. Click "Add Task" to create new tasks
  3. Give each task a specific name, description, and timeline
  4. Assign responsible team members to each task
  5. Set dependencies between tasks where needed
• Group tasks by phase:

  Organize tasks into logical project phases such as planning, demolition, construction, and finishing.

• Set task priorities:

  Flag critical tasks that might impact project timeline or other work.

• Add task checklists:

  For complex tasks, create subtasks or checklists to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Milestone Planning

• Set milestones:

  Create major checkpoints to track progress throughout your project:

  • Planning Complete / Permits Acquired
  • Demolition Finished
  • Rough-in Work Completed
  • Inspection Checkpoints
  • Finishes Installed
  • Final Walkthrough
• Link related tasks:

  Connect tasks to their relevant milestones to automatically track milestone completion percentages.

• Add milestone celebrations:

  Consider planning small celebrations or team recognition when major milestones are achieved to maintain momentum.

Materials and Resources

• Create a materials list:

  Start listing the materials and supplies you'll need:

  1. Navigate to the "Materials" section
  2. Click "Add Material" for each item
  3. Include specifications, quantities, and vendor information
  4. Link materials to specific tasks or project areas
  5. Track procurement status (needed, ordered, delivered)
• Source suppliers and vendors:

  Use the "Vendors" section to track suppliers, contact information, and price comparisons.

• Schedule deliveries:

  Add delivery dates to your project timeline to ensure materials arrive when needed.

Documentation and Compliance

• Track permits and approvals:

  Create a dedicated section for permits, inspections, and regulatory requirements.

• Store important documents:

  Upload contracts, warranties, insurance certificates, and other critical paperwork to the "Documents" section.

• Create a project journal:

  Use the "Notes" feature to maintain a running log of decisions, changes, and important conversations.