Hi.
I am looking for a good computer-based planning tool for house renovation.
You should be able to enter the main activity, e.g., renovate the kitchen, and then break it down into sub-activities.
You should be able to set dependencies between both main activities and sub-activities, for example, the kitchen floor must be laid before the kitchen cabinets are installed.
Then you want to be able to link the required materials/tools to each sub-activity, which is then compiled for each main activity.
You would also want to be able to get it as a nice shopping list. So when you go to the building market, you print out the shopping list and get the needed material for all the current main activities (Renovate Kitchen, New Floor in the Hall, Expand the Entrance, Build a Dormer, Insulate the Attic, Install Data Network, etc.).
Cost summaries, etc., would be nice.
I am looking for a good computer-based planning tool for house renovation.
You should be able to enter the main activity, e.g., renovate the kitchen, and then break it down into sub-activities.
You should be able to set dependencies between both main activities and sub-activities, for example, the kitchen floor must be laid before the kitchen cabinets are installed.
Then you want to be able to link the required materials/tools to each sub-activity, which is then compiled for each main activity.
You would also want to be able to get it as a nice shopping list. So when you go to the building market, you print out the shopping list and get the needed material for all the current main activities (Renovate Kitchen, New Floor in the Hall, Expand the Entrance, Build a Dormer, Insulate the Attic, Install Data Network, etc.).
Cost summaries, etc., would be nice.
Well, and while we're at it, I want my stolen boat back.
Maybe it could work for a specific house manufacturer to develop such a program with a web interface. How many dormers should one consider? How many kitchen suppliers? I assume you're joking a few weeks too early April's fool.
Maybe it could work for a specific house manufacturer to develop such a program with a web interface. How many dormers should one consider? How many kitchen suppliers? I assume you're joking a few weeks too early April's fool.
MS Project is a general project planning program. It should meet your requirements, but the question is whether it's worth the effort to learn if it's just for a single renovation. If you're not already used to working in Project, it's probably not what you're looking for. And if you know Project, you probably wouldn't have asked the question here...
Oh, oh...... if you create such a tool, it's probably not that hard to sell it......
Personally, I believe it's difficult to create a tool that goes down to such a detailed level without it becoming unmanageable to update. Think about screws, for example. Are you supposed to check in every screw you use each day you build so the purchase list is correct next time?
And timber the same, you have some bits left over from one project that fit perfectly in the next. Should you keep track of that too?
As a comparison, I know I tried to use Viktklubb.se to lose weight. But it required me to log exactly what I ate every day. I personally don't have the energy to keep up with that. We keep a web diary of our construction. I manage to update it about once a month.
I believe it is simpler to plan each project in detail just before it's time to do it. However, having the overall plan in some sort of tool is probably a good idea. We made a rough budget at the beginning and then we record the expenses and link them to the budget items. Of course, not much has turned out as we initially thought, but at least we get an idea of how much everything has cost. I find MS Project cumbersome and have used Excel.
Personally, I believe it's difficult to create a tool that goes down to such a detailed level without it becoming unmanageable to update. Think about screws, for example. Are you supposed to check in every screw you use each day you build so the purchase list is correct next time?
And timber the same, you have some bits left over from one project that fit perfectly in the next. Should you keep track of that too?
As a comparison, I know I tried to use Viktklubb.se to lose weight. But it required me to log exactly what I ate every day. I personally don't have the energy to keep up with that. We keep a web diary of our construction. I manage to update it about once a month.
I believe it is simpler to plan each project in detail just before it's time to do it. However, having the overall plan in some sort of tool is probably a good idea. We made a rough budget at the beginning and then we record the expenses and link them to the budget items. Of course, not much has turned out as we initially thought, but at least we get an idea of how much everything has cost. I find MS Project cumbersome and have used Excel.
It exists for new production and should be usable for remodeling as well, but the programs I saw when I had a construction company as a client were so advanced and pricey that they are not suitable for a home renovation.
I envision a web system that allows you to take it with you everywhere. There should be a market for this, perhaps I should consider building one. However, there never seems to be enough time.... Feel free to brainstorm further on features, etc., so maybe I could find the time and energy to code one together.
Listening...
Listening...
The program you need is called Byggsamordnaren and is sold by Byggsamverkan AB and costs 6000:- excluding VAT. An excellent tool, it can be adapted to almost anything! Although tailored for professional use, it works for everything from keeping track of small jobs to managing large total contracts. Highly recommended! www.byggsamverkan.se //Paul