Why Even Small Renovations Need a Project Manager
If you’re renovating a bathroom or laundry, it can feel like a small job and manageable job.
A few tradies. A few decisions to be made. A rough plan. How hard can it be?
It’s harder than it looks.
We’ve been involved in more than a few bathroom and laundry projects recently where homeowners have decided to manage everything themselves.
Now we love a DIY reno - truly. Before we had kids this was our weekend hobby. The intention is always good when a homeowner manages a project themselves, but the reality is - it often turns into delays, confusion, rework - and higher costs for everyone involved.
Here’s why having a project manager matters - even on “small” renovations.
Renovations are a lot of moving parts.
The small ones often have just as many people involved as a big one. Because even though the space or budget is smaller, there’s still the same number of trades and materials.
A bathroom or laundry reno isn’t just plumbing. It’s usually:
Building
Plumbing
Electrical
Tiling
Painting
Plastering
Fixtures (taps and stuff) arriving on time
Inspections and sign-offs (if needed by the council or a licensed professional)
When no one is coordinating those pieces can fall out of order fast.
One trade turns up before another is finished. Someone’s missing information. Materials aren’t onsite. Everyone’s waiting. And it’s costing someone for all the waiting.
What this looks like: When a job is quoted, trades allow for a set number of site visits. For a small bathroom renovation, that’s often two or three. If fixtures aren’t onsite and an extra, unplanned visit is needed, that fourth trip still has real costs - vehicle, time, and scheduling. Good project management avoids this. A quick check that everything has arrived, or a decision to delay installation, can save time, money, and awkward conversations later.
All tradies aren’t project managers (and shouldn’t have to be)
Here’s the blunt truth: when there’s no project manager, tradies often end up filling that gap.
That means:
Extra time on site clarifying plans
Phone calls chasing other trades
Returning to jobs multiple times
Working around incomplete prep
That extra time doesn’t disappear. It gets billed.
So while it might feel like you’re saving money by managing the project yourself, the lack of coordination usually costs more in labour across the job.
But who does the project management if the homeowner doesn’t and neither do most tradies?
Building company: Most commonly it will be your builder who will project manage - they’re experienced at it. They’re used to dealing with multiple trades and they’re usually doing the most work on the job so they know the timing and can set the schedule for everyone. The scope of a what a builder would project manage is much larger than what a plumbing company would manage e.g. a deck rebuild which is off the side of the kitchen renovation you’re also completing where a plumber is involved.
Plumbing company: If the project involves a substantial amount of plumbing (e.g. bathroom or kitchen renovation) your plumbing company can manage the project.
Bathroom or kitchen design company: These are specialty companies who create the design and supply the materials for your renovation. They may also project manage. Ensure you’re clear in the scope whether or not they are managing the project and trades for you, or just supplying the design and materials.
How much does it cost?
Typically, whoever is managing the project will charge a fee based off the total project value - in our experience this is approximately 10% - 15%.
How do I know who’s project managing?
This might seem like a funny question - but often when a project gets started, it’s not clear from the outset who’s “in charge” and then it will usually default to the homeowner who did not intend to be managing 5 tradies and ordering materials but now they feel silly asking the question as things have already started.
Have this conversation early. Set the expectation so everyone knows and it’s clear. We always ask these questions at enquiry stage:
Have you engaged any other trades so far for this project? (so we know who might be involved already and we can offer recommendations from our trade network if required), and
Who will be managing the project - will it be you or would you like us or another trade to manage?
A project manager protects your budget
A good project manager does a few critical things well:
Sequences trades properly
Confirms details before anyone turns up
Ensures materials are onsite and correct
Keeps the project moving forward
Solves problems before they become expensive
Their role isn’t just admin - think of it as cost control.
When a job runs smoothly, everyone wins:
Tradies work efficiently
Timelines are met
The final invoice matches expectations
“But it’s only a bathroom…”
We hear this a lot.
Bathrooms and laundries might be physically small, but they’re some of the most complex rooms in a house. Tight tolerances. Waterproofing requirements. Multiple services in confined spaces.
That complexity is exactly why these projects benefit most from proper management.
The Ka Pai take
We love well-run jobs. They allow us to do what we do best - accurate, quality plumbing.
When a project is properly managed:
We spend less time waiting
You spend less money overall
The end result is better
If you’re planning a bathroom or laundry renovation and wondering whether a project manager is worth it, the answer is usually yes - even if the job feels “small”.
Thinking about a renovation?
If you’re early in the planning stage, we’re always happy to talk things through and give honest advice on how to set your project up properly from the start. We have a list of reliable tradies we work with on a regular basis that we’re happy to recommend - this includes builders for your project management as well.
👉 Get in touch via our website form or give us a call on 04 890 5707 and let’s make sure your renovation runs smoothly from the start.