Hotel PIP Renovation: What to Expect

If your franchise agreement is up for renewal or you've just acquired a property, you'll likely be handed a PIP. Here's what a Property Improvement Plan involves, how the FF&E fits in, and how to plan the turn so you reopen on schedule.

What is a PIP?

A Property Improvement Plan (PIP) is a brand-mandated list of upgrades a hotel must complete to meet current brand standards. Brands issue PIPs at franchise renewal, on acquisition/change of ownership, or as part of a scheduled refresh. The plan spells out exactly what has to be updated — and guestroom FF&E is almost always a major part of it.

Why brands require PIPs

Consistency is the value of a flag. A guest booking a brand expects the same quality in every location, so brands enforce standards on everything from case goods and soft goods to lighting and finishes. Falling behind on a PIP can put your franchise agreement at risk — which is why owners take them seriously.

Typical FF&E scope in a PIP

Depending on the brand and the property's condition, guestroom FF&E scope usually falls into one of two buckets:

• Refresh — replacing soft goods, lighting, artwork and select case goods while keeping the room layout.
• Full renovation / brand conversion — gutting and replacing all guestroom FF&E: case goods, seating, mattresses, soft goods, lighting and more.

How long does a PIP take?

The single biggest scheduling factor is FF&E lead time — approved product often takes 8+ weeks to manufacture and ship. Once product is on site, the physical room turn moves quickly: an experienced crew can remove and reinstall a guestroom in a matter of days per room, phased across floors or wings.

Occupied vs. closed renovations

Most hotels stay partially open during a PIP. That means the work has to be phased around occupancy — sequencing floors, protecting corridors and elevators, keeping the site clean daily, and coordinating with the front desk and housekeeping to minimize guest disruption. A closed renovation is faster but costs you rooms.

How to plan the FF&E turn

1. Confirm the scope against the actual PIP document — every item, every room type.
2. Order early — lock in FF&E procurement to protect your lead times.
3. Plan logistics — freight, receiving, inspection and staging space (on site or a local warehouse).
4. Budget removal & disposal — dumpsters, hauling and dump fees for the old FF&E.
5. Sequence installation to hit your reopening date, with a room-by-room punch process.

Common pitfalls

• Underestimating lead times and delaying the whole schedule
• No plan for where new FF&E gets received and staged
• Forgetting the removal side — dumpsters, disposal, and hauling out mattresses and case goods
• Using separate vendors for removal and install, creating schedule gaps and finger-pointing

How a turnkey FF&E contractor helps

Bringing in one contractor to handle removal, logistics and installation keeps the whole FF&E turn under a single accountable partner. That means a dedicated project manager coordinating freight and crews, dumpsters and disposal built into the scope, and a schedule aligned to your reopening date — so the PIP gets done right and your rooms get back to earning.