In order to reach a successful outcome, defining a clear and comprehensive project scope for large building renovation projects is critical. Assembling a well-structured, fully-fledged scope of work ensures that all of the contractors and stakeholders on the project are aware of their roles. It also helps the project team plan a commercial renovation project so it remains on schedule and within budget. This guide on project scope will explain the essential items every project scope should include.
What Is a Project Scope?
The project scope is a clearly defined outline or description of all the work required to complete a project throughout each project phase. The scope includes the objectives, deliverables, tasks, and project milestones required to finish the project. Essentially, it’s a breakdown of everything that needs to occur to fulfill the contract between the property owner, project management, and the contractor.
A detailed breakdown of the project scope ensures all parties involved—from project owners to the construction team—are on the same page. It ensures everyone knows what’s included in the contract and what isn’t.
5 Key Elements of a Project Scope for Large Building Renovation
The project scope for large building renovation projects has to contain certain important elements to be all-encompassing:
1. Project Overview
The construction project scope of work should contain a basic summary or project overview that sets the stage. It should explain the renovation project’s objectives and desired outcomes. For example, the scope can express whether the project is aimed at improving energy efficiency, enhancing property value, or maintaining structural integrity.
2. Detailed Scope of Work
A construction scope of work should outline all tasks to be performed. It will include any necessary demolition, updates to mechanical systems, temporary relocation of equipment, or installations of energy-efficient materials, and any of the activities in between.
Ensuring the scope of work covers the entire project is critical to preventing scope creep. Scope creep is when the project expands beyond its original boundaries, increasing costs and delays. This can occur when the project owner asks more from the prime contractor than the scope entails, or when the prime contractor asks more of a subcontractor.
3. Project Deliverables
The deliverables are the completed phases of the construction or renovation process. For a commercial building renovation, the deliverables could include HVAC installation, the roofing installation, or framing completion. Any major phase that’s completed throughout the project lifecycle may be considered a deliverable.
4. Project Milestones and Timeline
It’s important to establish project milestones—key achievements along the project timeline—in order to track progress and control payments. The construction team can use these markers to measure the project’s success and identify any delays in the project schedule as well as ensure that contractors are paid for their work.
When it comes to large building renovation projects, these milestones are often the best benchmarks to track project progress, making them incredibly necessary.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
Assigning responsibilities ensures the entire team, from the project manager and construction manager to the staff on site, knows their specific roles on construction projects and what they entail. This clarity promotes an atmosphere of responsibility and collaboration within the renovation process and prevents any confusion about who is responsible for what during each construction phase.
The Importance of Clear Communication
It’s important to use plain language when developing the project scope. Eliminating any unnecessary complexity helps make the document accessible to everyone on the project. For example, when a contractor avoids overly technical jargon, they’re allowing project owners and property owners to better understand the documents despite not being construction professionals. This also helps foster collaboration among the construction company, subcontractors, and suppliers.
Let TopKey Construction Guide Your Next Project
At TopKey Construction, we understand all of the key elements that go into developing a complete scope of work. We believe in working with our customers to develop project objectives that ensure a successful project outcome. With our experience in commercial remodeling, our teams understand how to manage the construction process, develop a functional scope of work, and still help customers reach their project goals.
From the planning process when the project begins to completion, our team of experts will help property owners throughout the project lifecycle. Contact TopKey Construction for your commercial renovation project needs.