Why most hotel owners lose money at the PIP stage - and how to avoid it
Our PIP Review service brings clarity to hotel projects. Enjoy cost control, phasing insight and a clear execution strategy.
A Property Improvement Plan (PIP) should be a clear roadmap, but for many hotel owners it leads to overspending, delays, and scope creep. The problem isn’t the PIP itself - it’s the lack of independent, experienced guidance before work begins. Traditional design firms, contractors, and product-driven consultants are often incentivized to do more than necessary, implementing the PIP without uncovering opportunities that could save owners hundreds of thousands.
Our quick PIP Review service is designed to address this and prevents:
Overspending
Delays
Frustration
Long-term ROI erosion
Discover how our PIP Review service can save you money and be a quick, inexpensive and no-obligation introduction to our boarder innovative hotel design services. And if you decide to engage Monarch for the full design project, the PIP Review fee is credited towards the Design fee.
Spend a little, save a lot.
Why PIPs are riskier than they appear
Brand-issued PIPs are often interpreted as all-or-nothing documents. In reality:
Not all line items carry the same level of brand enforcement.
Some upgrades can be phased without jeopardizing compliance.
Scope decisions made too early can lock owners into inflated budgets.
Without a professional who understands both brand standards and real-world execution, owners risk:
Over-renovating.
Misallocating capital.
Delaying openings or renewals.
Reducing ROI before the project even begins.
What makes our PIP Review different?
Most traditional hotel design firms don’t offer PIP reviews as a stand-alone service - because clarity doesn’t always lead to bigger projects for them. But Monarch operates differently.
We act as a true owner advocate, independent from contractors and product vendors, with no incentive to inflate scope or FF&E spend. As we aim to be a trusted partner for our clients, our focus is simple: brand compliance, cost control, and practical execution.
Our PIP Review service is very quick, requires low commitment and offers incredibly high value, as it can save hundreds of thousands. It’s the perfect opportunity for new clients to discover that working with Monarch is a better way of doing hotel design projects. And if you decide to engage Monarch for the full design project, the PIP Review fee is credited towards the Design fee.
What you receive
Every PIP Review includes the following clear deliverables, all delivered in a format owners can actually understand and can effectively use to make decisions.
Line-by-line PIP interpretation.
Identification of mandatory vs. recommended brand items.
Phasing opportunities to reduce upfront capital.
High-level renovation sequencing guidance.
Budget impact considerations and risk flags.
Coordination guidance for brand design and supply teams.
Case study
A midscale branded hotel approaching franchise renewal received a comprehensive PIP with a projected renovation budget well beyond initial expectations. Before engaging a contractor or designer, the owner brought Monarch in for a PIP Review.
What we uncovered:
Several items categorized by the brand as “recommended,” not mandatory.
Opportunities to phase guestroom upgrades over multiple cycles.
FF&E scope that could be reduced without compromising compliance.
The result:
A significantly reduced upfront capital requirement.
A clear renovation sequence aligned with cash flow.
Confidence moving forward - without surprises.
Impressed with the savings, the owner engaged us for the complete design project, and was able to save even further when we credited the PIP Review fees towards the Design fees.
Ready for your PIP Review?
If you’ve recently received a PIP or are approaching a franchise renewal, this is the smartest place to start. Click to get in touch with us to begin your PIP Review - and move forward with confidence.