Hire a Construction Project Manager or DIY?
Hire a Construction Project Manager or do it yourself?
If you are planning to build or renovate for your organisation, you might be tempted to manage it yourself rather than hire a project manager.
After all, you know what you want and you have a budget in mind!
But do you have the time and energy to deal with contracts, trades, architects, council approvals, building codes, safety regulations, and unexpected issues? Can you afford to take time from your own job to run a project?
If you answered no to any of these questions, then you should consider hiring a Project Manager. The bigger the project, the more risk involved.
A Project Manager is a professional who oversees and coordinates all aspects of your building project, from design to completion. They act as your representative and advocate, ensuring that your project is delivered on time, on budget and to the quality you expected.
Benefits of Contracting a Project Manager rather than doing it yourself
- It lets you get on with running your own business. You don't have to worry about the day-to-day details of your project, such as scheduling, ordering, invoicing, supervising and troubleshooting. You can focus on your core activities and leave the rest to the PM.
- A qualified PM to deal with building contracts, plans and specifications. A PM has the expertise and experience to negotiate and manage contracts with contractors, architects, engineers and other parties involved in your project. They can review and interpret plans and specifications and ensure that they meet your requirements and expectations.
- Experts to inspect your project for progress and quality, ensuring the contractors are following plans correctly and building to the Building Code of Australia standards. A PM has the skills and tools to monitor and control the quality and progress of your project. They can conduct regular inspections and audits to identify and resolve any issues or defects that may arise. They can also ensure that the contractors are complying with the relevant building codes, standards and regulations.
- Have a knowledgeable eye look over all of the claims on your project to make sure you are only paying for work that has been completed. A PM can verify and validate the claims and invoices submitted by the contractors and ensure that you are only paying for the work that has been done according to the contract terms and conditions. They can also help you avoid any disputes or conflicts that may arise from payment issues.
- Safety experts to check on and report on site safety to reduce the chance of injury associated with your project. A PM can ensure that your project is conducted in a safe and secure manner, and that the contractors are following the best practices and procedures for site safety. They can also provide you with regular reports and updates on the safety performance and status of your project, and alert you of any potential risks or hazards.
- Project Managers go into bat for you with Council, Architects and Trades if things go wrong then we have all the technical jargon sorted so you don’t have to. A PM can act as your liaison and mediator with the various stakeholders and authorities involved in your project, such as council, architects, engineers, contractors and suppliers. They can communicate and coordinate effectively with them and handle any issues or problems that may arise. They can also translate and explain the technical jargon and terminology that may be used in your project, and make sure that you understand and agree with everything that is happening.
Saving you a lot of Time and Stress!
As you can see, hiring a PM can save you a lot of time, money and stress, and ensure that your project is a success. A PM can provide you with peace of mind, confidence and satisfaction, and help you achieve your vision and goals. So, if you are thinking of building or renovating, consider using a Project Manager.
Katie, Director, Lyons Project Management
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