Behind The Scenes of a Professionally Managed Melbourne Renovation

Who doesn’t love a good before and after of a beautifully renovated space? We do! Especially when it’s the type of transformation that inspires immediate action to make those long-awaited renovation dreams a reality.   

But the pretty pictures are just a tiny part of the story. Yes, we believe results are important, but how you get to those results is equally as important. There’s no point in having an amazingly renovated space if the journey caused you more stress than happiness!  

Today we go behind the scenes of a professionally managed renovation by talking to some of the committed professionals who make all Smarter Bathrooms projects a fun and (seemingly) effortless experience. Happy reading! 

Ashleigh – Interior Designer, Design Team 

What is your role in the renovation process? 

As a designer, I work closely with the client to try to narrow down their style and then come up with a layout that meets the client’s needs. Firstly, they usually send us images of the existing space as well as design inspiration, and I help them piece together their vision ensuring the design is functional as well.  We sit down to design the space together, and select the products, and ensure everything is functional and beautiful to suit each individual client’s needs, ready for the build to commence on site  

What does your day to day look like? 

Most days I’ll have an onsite meeting, that could be an ‘in-home consultation’ with a client where I am meeting them for the first time and getting to understand their renovation needs, or a ‘Job start’ meeting which happens on day one of the renovation commencing onsite, this is such an exciting meeting as the client meets the project manager who will oversee the onsite works, protection goes down throughout the home, skip bins are set up and demolition is usually beginning before our meeting is over!  

Or I could be heading on-site to meet the tiler for a ’tile layout’ meeting, this meeting allows myself and the tiler to collaborate on exactly where the tile joins should be and the layout of feature tiles etc. so we can make sure we are getting the best result for the clients. When I’m not on site I’m back in the office/showroom to prepare designs, quotes and contracts or meeting with clients to work with them on finessing their designs or selecting their products. No two clients are ever the same, meaning no two days are ever the same, it never gets boring that’s for sure! 

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

That’s a good question. I suppose getting down to the nitty gritty and finding the perfect tile or tapware look for every project sometimes can be challenging. There are so many products and so many possibilities!  Working with an existing framework can also be challenging, because we’re trying to find our clients the best layout within their existing conditions, and that requires out of the box thinking. But it’s so rewarding when you nail the brief, and realise those initial constrains can actually make you a more creative designer.  

And the most rewarding? 

For me, the best part of the job is when my clients get to see their newly renovated space of the first time. As a designer, you can visualise how the space will look very early on. It’s easy for us to imagine the result, but for them it’s not always like that. So, when they see it all coming together and tell you just how happy they are, it just makes the hard work worthwhile.  Knowing that you helped someone create a space that makes their life easier and makes them so happy is the best feeling. 

Taylah – Design Specifier, Design Team 

What is your role in the renovation process? 

I’m a design specifier, which means I do all the back-end part of the design, sourcing, pricing and making sure all the products that go into a design are available when we need it. That’s everything from tiles to fixtures, underfloor heating, painting, special order steel work, everything! Whatever the client has picked in the selection meetings, we make sure they get the exact product they want.  

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

I suppose making everything happen on time, which sometimes can feel like a putting together a big puzzle! But it’s so rewarding when everything falls into place and the clients and designers are super happy with their beautiful products.  

And the most rewarding?  

Definitely seeing everything come together in real life!  

Antony –  Project Manager, Building Team 

What is your role in the renovation process? 

As a Project Manager, once I’m assigned to a new project, my job is to make sure everything runs smoothly and on schedule from start to finish. As the person responsible for the project, I’m the link between our clients and all Smarter Bathroom trades, overseeing every single aspect of the build. For example, today was stone installation day on one of my projects, so I was on-site coordinating the stonemasons, making sure the site was ready, that the stone fit the space perfectly, etc. My job is to ensure that everything looks exactly as it should, to spot any potential issues to avoid delays, and basically to make the renovation process as seamless as possible for our clients. 

What does your day to day look like? 

During the week, I’m usually doing site visits, checking that all the jobs have been completed as per schedule and that they meet our standards. I oversee the progress of all my sites and come up with solutions if adjustments are needed. Every Friday I send out a schedule to our clients detailing everything that will be going on with their renovations for the next two weeks. I keep in constant communication with my clients, updating them if there are any changes along the way. With so many moving parts, if something needs to be adjusted in one trade, it tends to have a flow-on effect, so I make sure everyone involved is updated and knows exactly what’s happening next. Great communication is extremely important and is one of the pillars of a smoothly run renovation.  

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

There’s no challenge big enough for the Smarter Bathroom team! Jokes aside, being a project manager requires a combination of very specific technical knowledge, as well as the type of sharp interpersonal skills that are sometimes hard to come by in one person, so it’s a role that will always test you in many ways. And that’s why I love it, because I’m constantly applying my skills and experience, and it’s never boring. 

And the most rewarding? 

I’d say the most rewarding part is seeing the finished room and the smile in our client’s faces when they get to see it for the first time. But making the clients’ lives easier during the renovation process is also a very rewarding feeling. When you spot the little details that make a difference, that’s very satisfying.  

Tristan – Draftsman, Drafting Team 

What is your role in the renovation process? 

As a draftsman, I produce drawings so everyone knows what’s going on within the project. These drawings are for the clients to see what their project will look like, and for the trades to know what they are building. I also check that everything works within the design, whether that be ensuring a drawer is internally deep enough to suit a client’s needs, making sure doors don’t collide upon opening or that there is enough of a walkway around an island. The drafting team serves as one of many check points throughout the process to make sure the end result will be perfect. 

What does your day to day look like? 

I come to the office very early in the morning, have a coffee, fire up my computer and pretty much draw away for the rest of the day. I also keep in constant communication with the building and design team to ensure we’re all on the same page. 

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

I think it’d be coming up with creative solutions to suit both the designers and trades. I need to make sure that the vision is being created, but in the easiest way possible.  

And the most rewarding? 

The most rewarding part is seeing my drawings built on site. Knowing that I had a part to play in the final result is very satisfying. 

Ron – Building Inspector, Building Team 

What is your role in the renovation process?  

As Building Inspector, I’m basically going out to sites to see if a drawing can be done, if the design is feasible and what would be required for that design to be achieved. For example, if we need to move a wall, I’d be checking whether the structure would allow that or what we have to do to make it happen. I also determine whether building permits are required.  

What does your day to day look like? 

My day to day pretty much consists of booking in building inspections, going on site carrying out the building inspections, or preparing reports and advising designers of any hurdles or challenges on the way. 

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

Well, we don’t have x-ray vision, so the most challenging part is finding out what is behind the walls and under the floors. 

And the most rewarding? 

Coming up with a solution in collaboration with the designer, specifier and drafting teams is very rewarding. When everyone has their input, you see very creative solutions. For me, the most rewarding part is when a review comes through from a client for a project that was challenging at the beginning.  When clients see the final result and it’s really beautiful and exactly what they wanted it makes all the hard work worthwhile.  

Helen – Scheduling Coordinator, Building Team 

What is your role in the renovation process?  

As a Scheduling Coordinator, I book all the trades involved in a project, from carpenters, electricians, plumber, cleaning, tiling, etc. Everyone that’s required on a project I book them in and make sure they are on site at the right time. 

What does your day to day look like? 

Lots of phone calls! It’s a bit like playing Tetris, a really big one.  After being in my role for ten years, I have a great handle on what trades need to go to which site. I would definitely advise against a DYI renovation if you do not have the experience to coordinate multiple trades with many moving parts.  

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

I’d say finding a trade during busy times like Christmas time for example. But when I can pull a rabbit out of a hat or produce a little miracle, that’s so satisfying!  

And the most rewarding? 

The most rewarding bit is working with all the amazing trades at sB+. They make my job easier! 

Ready to collaborate with the Smarter Bathrooms team to make your dream renovation a reality? Call us today on 1300 662 838 to speak to one of our experts or book a FREE in-home consultation with our award-winning designers to start your renovation journey!