This article takes a look at hotel refurbishment, outlining the planning process.
If you are wondering what happens during the process of a hotel refurbishment, you have come to the right place, as we take an in-depth look at the process from initial contact to final handover.
Initial Contact
The hotel management might have had previous experience with a renovation contractor and opts to use them again, or they might invite quotes from several companies that offer Cyprus hotel refurbishments service to the hotel sector. Each contractor would be invited to attend to gather the necessary information to prepare a quotation and within a defined period, the contractors submit their quote. This process could take a few weeks, depending on the number of contractors involved. The hotel management might request a visit to a previous client’s premises, in order to see the quality of workmanship.
Quote Acceptance
The hotel management would scrutinise each quote before making a decision and the winning contractor would be invited to a meeting with the hotel management. If there are any areas the management is unclear about, they would ask for clarification and when everything is agreed, the contract is signed. During this stage, the decor and furnishings would be discussed in detail and the management might wish to view samples. The management would select the contractor that can create an interior design to their liking. Mock-up drawings might be used to present a concept to the hotel management and this process can be very competitive.
Contract Timeline
The hotel management would ask the contractor for a work schedule and they might stipulate a finishing date (usually in low season). At this stage, an initial payment would be made to the contractor and the schedule is set, with stage payments coming into play.
Project Implementation
Typically, a single floor would be refurbished, while the rest of the hotel is operational. Tradesmen would use rear entrances and would not encounter guests while working. Once a floor is finished, the hotel management inspects the work and if all is well, that floor is signed off and the contractor moves on to another floor. Communal areas like meeting rooms, restaurants and the reception area need to be carefully planned to avoid inconveniencing guests. Night work is a possibility, it depends on the hotel and the seasonal aspects. The contractor would do what they can to facilitate the project, even working nights when necessary. In the event the hotel closes during the low season, the contractor is liable to pay penalties for every day they are late with the completion.
Snagging
It is normal for a couple of workmen to spend a day fixing minor issues, before the final inspection. The entire floor would be sealed off and no one is allowed entry. Once the manager signs off on the work, payment can be released, which usually occurs within one week.
Large hotel chains typically use a single refurbishment contractor to handle all their internal work, while a small hotel would put the contract out for tender.
In the event the hotel management has issues with a refurbishing contractor, they might put out the contract on the tender. Like most industries, performance is everything and a good refurbishing contractor would guard their reputation.
If you run a small boutique hotel and you are looking for a local refurbishing contractor, start by searching online and browsing the websites and inviting contractors to tender for the contract. The process outlined above is pretty straightforward; if you already have a concept, so much the better, but if you don’t, the contractor has a designer who can help create the perfect decor.
