Pay Attention to the Details: August 2024 Lessons

Pay attention to the details—August 2024 proved the point. A great rendering can spark excitement, but it can also drive commitments before you check practicality and budget. Scrutinize visuals early, align scope with costs, and confirm the numbers before you fall in love with the picture.

Pay Attention to the Details: August 2024: Lessons

Renderings sell the dream, not the build. We trimmed nonessential features, phased nice-to-haves, and priced alternates. As a result, the plan still reflects the vision, but it now matches the budget and schedule. Specifically, we:

• Swapped premium finishes for look‑alike materials with better lead times.
• Consolidated lighting into zones, because fewer circuits reduce labor and panels.
• Standardized hardware and fixtures to streamline procurement and warranty service.
• Re‑sequenced work so critical path items start first, and dependencies don’t stall crews.
• Requested itemized bids, then removed low‑impact line items to cut cost without hurting guest experience.
• Flagged code‑sensitive details for early review, so revisions happen on paper—not on site.

A Simple Review Process

• Scope check: List every visible feature in the image.
• Cost check: Request rough order of magnitude (ROM) pricing per feature.
• Feasibility check: Confirm power, water, drainage, and code implications.
• Value check: Keep what impacts guest experience; pause what doesn’t.
• Timeline check: Note lead times and sequencing so the drawing matches reality.

What We Changed in August 2024

We trimmed nonessential features, phased nice-to-haves, and priced alternates. As a result, the plan still reflects the vision, but it now matches the budget and schedule.

Takeaway: Pay Attention to the Details Early

Bold ideas are great—budget clarity is better. Pay attention to the details early, and you won’t pay for them later. Before you fall in love with a rendering, ask five questions:

• What does this detail cost—and who installs it?
• How does it affect power, water, drainage, or code?
• What’s the lead time, and does it delay anything else?
• Does it improve guest experience enough to justify the spend?
• If we defer it, what’s the impact on schedule and rework?

Because these questions surface risks early, your plan stays realistic, your spend stays intentional, and your opening date stays on track.