Not sure about a "template," you might have to make your own. Home construction is done in the following order: 1-foundation work, 2-framing, walls & floor, 3-framing, roof, 4-roof, outer walls, & windows, 5-plumbing & electrical, 6-sheetrock/interior walls & ceilings, 7-interior trim woodwork, 8-interior flooring, carpet & tile, 9-interior doors, 10-interior paint. The order is important. For instance, if the sheetrock went up before the wiring was installed, the electrician would have to cut open the walls, and the sheetrock crew would have to re-do the damaged sheetrock. This added cost would be have to be paid for by the homeowner.

Eric -

Thanks - I can definitely build a list from what you've outlined.

-Sue

and specifically for the kitchen, insert 6a install cabinets but you may/may not want the kitchen flooring in first, 6b countertops and you'll need all appliance measurements for that, 6c sink/faucet to be installed in countertops, 6d backsplash. For the kitchen, you may want to change the order of the painting if you want to, say, paint behind your cabinets but plan on touch up painting as you'll most likely get dings during the installation.

On other thing, if you are going to need computer cable or tv cable put in, do it during the wiring stage. Same with wiring for stereo speakers etc.

When your work actually starts, I'd always try and think/stay at least 2 weeks ahead of where the work actually is. You'll be allowing yourself time for some of the things you forget as well as unexpected surprises. And as well as you plan things out, you will forget things and have surprises.

Have fun, stay sane and good luck!

Let me fine-tune some of the ericwi's list above:
#5, plumbing, then HVAC, then Electrical. The drains need to be planned and roughed-in before any other trade, while the wiring has the most flexibility in terms of routing. Get the framing inspected before proceeding to any mechanicals. It's a PITA to have to go back and change framing once the mech's have gone in.
Localities may have mandatory inspections at unexpected points. Like a pre-drywall insection of insulation.

You may find it beneficial to prime the drywall before any trim goes up. It can give some immediate gratification, a better sense of the light in the room, show up any deficiencies in the rock before the finishers get too far out of town (you can call them back to fix defects).
Enjoy your project.
Microsoft used to have a software called "scheduler" or ?? I think it was intended for project organization of any kind.
Casey

Wow - thanks, Casey!

If/when I do come up with a template, I'll post it here so others can use it.

-Sue

Your designer is probably going to be on top of this, but once you have your plans mostly finished, start work immediately on the kitchen design. It is the most time consuming and impacts nearly every stage of the construction. For instance, you need the kitchen framing early on and the locations of utilities not soon after. For that you need your appliance choices and locations settled. Your kitchen design should be pretty much complete before you feed any of its elements to the builder. Making changes later will be a hastle. You can leave window casings, tile choices, bath fixtures etc... till later, but not the kitchen stuff.

I agree with Richard. Set yourself down at the Kitchens Forum and start there. Do not rely on a designer to give you a great kitchen. Many KD are merely cabinet salespeople, no more, altho they would like you to think that they know their stuff. And your budget can benefit from a LOT of attention to kitchen matters.

Successful kitchens are built around the appliances and the task layouts first. Then you add the cabinets. Cabinet costs can vary wildly. Are the cabinets you want going to cost $75K? Or $25K Or is your budget more along the $8K cabinet style? That's a heck of a lot of money difference. Do you want a pro-style range? (Check out the APpliances forum) 36"? 48"? Grill? Griddle? And the serious ventilation that such cooking power requires. Main sink and prep sink? (just faucets can cost between $100 and $600---what is your style?) Built-in fridge ($5K), counter-depth ($2K) or standard ($1K and up)? Recess that standard fridge to look like it is counter-depth? Lighting for all the work areas? How about windows? New trends are for fewer upper cabinets and a lot more windows and natural light in the kitchen.

Start with your kitchen and work out from there.

Good luck!

Hi Sue:

I am in Westchester also and just starting a renovation/addition. We are looking for a designer to help with all of this. were you happy with the person you used and did they actually keep track of the timelines?

thanks
Diane

The "schedule" that was mentioned is NOT a schedule as we often think about it -- a timeline with dates.

It IS a list of items that you want to use: plumbing fixtures, windows and doors, lighting, appliances. These are found on the architect's plans because it is an easy way to look at (bid, keep track of, etc.) the details that have been chosen for a project.

Here's the template:

Door schedule: item number, size, type (refers to a picture), wall thickness, screen or not, hardware, lites, doormaterial/substrate/finish, frame material/substrate/finish, and notes.

Window schedule: item number, room number, type (refers to a picture), wall thickness, frame size, operation type (casement etc.), screen, tempered?, manufacturer, hardware, sash material/substrate/finish, jamb/casing material, notes.

Plumbing fixtures schedule: room, quantity, description, manufacturer/supplier, model, item no., size, color, obtained by contractor or owner, notes.

Equipment schedule: same as plumbing fixtures.

not sure if i am addressing your question, but an important thing to stay on top of is how one delay impacts every aspect of your project. if you google gantt chart, you can find free templates similar to ones builders use to keep track of their projects. gantt charts show the relationship between several parts of the project as well as keeping track of progress on the overall project. there are better overall versions of these charts, but they are costly.

if, as the client, you haven't made a selection on the day due, it can impact the subs who were scheduled for that week. now they may not be available for weeks! the best thing you can do for yourself is have all of your selections made on time, because there are bound to be other delays and you will probably be anxious to be done with the project if you are living in the home during the remodel. there are tons of selections that come up at the last minute unless you have gotten a good list from your gc or designer. things like light switch plates and grout color seem to pop up at the last minute often.

sounds like you have a great champion with your gc. i'm sure he or she will appreciate your understanding of the process and it will help stave off any misunderstandings.

Hi Sue,

I hope the renovation went well. Our situation is very similar to yours. Issues with architects, bids way over budget after 2 drawings...
Were you happy with your GC? We are in Northern Westchester and looking for someone with little success. I would greatly appreciate a recommendation!
Laurie

Hi. I have been looking for a detailed timeline schedule as well, mainly because I am thinking of acting as the project manager of our addition. Here is something I found while poking around the internet. I thought it was a good starting point with which to build my own schedule (which I will probably end up doing). I know generally when things need to be done, I just wanted to know precisely so that I can be as well organized as possible when dealing with the subs. I couldn't find anything better without purchasing software. You might want to ask your architect or builder for a template source. Good luck.

http://www.b4ubuild.com/resources/schedule/6kproj.shtml

Do people read the OPs?

S/he said: "Our GC was telling us about "schedules" which are sort of spreadsheets that outline all of the materials to be used in each phase of the construction."

All the MATERIALS, not the time line.

Why is this important? It allows you to get precise bids and to establish the all-important budget. It provides you -- the home owner -- with a list of things you need to decide on. It's not about keeping the project on schedule!

See my post above if you want to see a template.