Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.
– Alan Lakein
All hotel properties have life cycles. At some point, hotel owners and operators will need to renovate their properties for several reasons, either from wear and tear or to keep up with current trends. By all accounts, hotel construction in the US has been at a fever pace for nearly a decade now, making the availability of newer, fresher guest rooms easier to choose from than ever. Slightly older, more dated hotels are getting left behind by guests seeking updated and more modern accommodations.
Understanding the need for change and actually getting there are two different things. It requires planning. Almost everyone waits until the fall and winter to renovate. However, some people don’t really get serious until September. At that point, production schedules are solidifying or already set, making it hard for latecomers to get what they need, when they need it.
Time is your Enemy and your Friend
When is the right time for you to renovate? When do you need the renovation complete? What is the delivery schedule? These are questions you need to ask and understand. Think at least 6 months or a year ahead. Talk to you vendors. Make sure they understand your timeline. The old saying that lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part rings true. “ASAP” is a meaningless term used in lieu of real understanding of a plan. If everything is critical and “ASAP”, then vendors are forced to alter their schedules. And that can get expensive.
Money Money Money
News flash – things cost money. Have a budget. Be ready and honest with yourself and your vendors about how much you want to spend. In relation to Time, compressed delivery windows typically command premium prices. Planning appropriately will help constrain costs from a manufacturing and/or delivery perspective. Things happen. Challenges will come up. When they do, you will be in a better position to understand the costs, make adjustments and still deliver because you’ve taken the time to plan.
Stress
Nothing is easy. Renovations are done to improve your guest’s experience and bolster your hotel’s reputation. If done hastily or incorrectly, you can hinder both. Renovation projects are marathons, not sprints. Starting early and taking the time to plan, communicate and adapt to changes will lighten your load, mentally and emotionally. This will help you execute better and deliver a better product to your customer.
Northland is a leading contract furniture manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. Our products are all proudly made in the USA with locally sourced materials and carry a 10 year manufacturer’s warranty.
