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Luba Arefeva is a KGO Assistant Project Manager, with a strong attention to detail and a desire to better the construction industry as a whole. When she is not focused on projects in the office, you can find Luba coordinating her own personal projects. This is the story of one such project, and how it put her PM skills to the test. Embarking on your own home improvement project? Read on for her insights.
I thought it was just a weekend project.
Ever started a DIY project thinking it’ll just take one weekend?
It all began with an innocent purchase—a $300 pool on sale. My husband and I thought it would be a simple setup, leading us into a summer adventure we never expected. Like many stories, ours started with a dream of lazy summer days floating in our own backyard oasis, a dream that I had had since the day I bought this house.
This dream became a 2-month disaster, transforming our simple setup into a full-scale project management challenge.
But every challenge brings its lessons. What started as a backyard improvement project evolved into an intense learning experience, reflecting much of what I practice professionally at KGO. Here are the top 5 lessons I learned from our DIY pool installation project.
Lesson 1: Never rush decision-making
The excitement of a quick purchase can lead to underestimating the project’s complexity. We bought our pool in a single click, without weighing the pros and cons or considering the necessary preparations. This hasty decision set the stage for a series of challenges, emphasizing the importance of thorough planning before diving into any project.
Lesson 2: Know the rules and regulations
Understanding local building regulations and compliance turned out to be more crucial than I anticipated. Initially, I wasn’t aware that even above-ground pools required permits. Fortunately, my background in construction permitting came in handy. I knew how to draw up site plans and navigate the permitting process. This wasn’t just about following the law—it was about ensuring our project was safe and efficient. My experience at KGO proved invaluable, reminding me of the importance of compliance in every aspect of construction.
Lesson 3: Choose contractors wisely and read the Contract Agreement
Choosing the right contractor is more than just going with the cheapest option. During the busy summer season, finding available contractors was a struggle. It’s essential to thoroughly check contracts—something I overlooked. The Agreement didn’t specify the timeline clearly, leading to the electricians stretching what could have been a 3-day job into 3 weeks because they were juggling multiple clients.
Lesson 4: Plan your budget
Each project day brought new financial challenges, like the need to upgrade our electrical system and change the wire insulation, which doubled the initial cost estimate. Setting aside extra funds is critical, as unforeseen issues can escalate costs significantly. This was a tough lesson in financial planning under pressure.
Lesson 5: Stay committed and adapt without turning back
Throughout this project, I often thought about giving up. It seemed too hard to get permits, costs kept going up, and it was taking too much time. I kept asking myself if it was really worth it. But the goal was more than just a pool—it was about making a dream come true. This experience taught me the importance of sticking to your decisions while being flexible when needed. Stay committed to your goals, even when doubts creep in, and adjust your plans as necessary without turning back.
Integrating personal passions with professional expertise
Combining personal interests with our professional skills can lead to valuable insights. This DIY project didn’t just sharpen my project management abilities—it also made me a more effective leader at KGO. I’ve learned to better handle complex projects and foresee challenges, which directly improves our team’s performance and project outcomes.
You can take the project manager out of the office, but you can’t take the project management out of the project manager! This experience has shown me how blending personal dedication with professional expertise leads to success, both at home and at work. At KGO, we value this combination because it drives innovation and helps us deliver outstanding results to our clients and stakeholders.
P.S. The project is complete, the kids are happy, and our marriage is still strong.
