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Project Managers
Project management has been typically undertaken by an architect or a builder, but sometimes it is out of their area of expertise. It is best to get a specialised project manager for your building project to ensure that it is finished on time and to the best possible quality. But what is a project manager and what do they do?
What is a Project Manager?
A project manager is responsible for the planning, management, coordination, and financial control of the construction project. It is their job to ensure that the clients’ wishes are met and that the building project is completed on time to the agreed budget. The project manager is usually involved through the entire building process – from the initial design of the project, through construction, right through to completion. Project managers typically work on more than one project at a time.
What do Project Managers Do?
Some things that a project manager will typically do during a building project include:
- representing the clients’ interest
- providing independent advice
- liaising with and supervising other professionals involved with the building project
- ensuring that project aims are met
- ensuring that building standards are adhered to
- tracking the progress of the project and ensuring that the project is running both on time and on budget
- maintaining records for expenditure, accounting, costing, and billing
The project manager may cover areas such as:
- contracts and insurances
- management processes
- reporting
- finances
- priorities
- timelines
- neighbours
- design
- landscape
- finished aesthetics (the look of the project)
Project Managers and Architects
Many of the duties that a project manager undertakes were traditionally carried out by an architect. However, the specific role of project manager came about due the increasing complexity and scale of building design, technology, construction, and project delivery methods in the building industry, as well as other aspects such as change management, procurement, reporting, and risk management. These do not typically form a part of the architect’s formal training and experience.
Project managers are thus used when the client expects that they will need help with a project because of the size of the team, the complexity of the project, or the client’s limited resources in personnel and/or expertise.
The Cost of a Project Manager
The cost of the project manager will depend on the scale of your building project, as well as its complexity and the estimated time it will take to complete. The project manager should give you a no-obligation free consultation that outlines all the services that they provide and what you can expect from them.
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