Project Management
Why use a project manager?
Good project managers will save a lot more money than they cost
Managing a building project requires an enormous amount of time and energy; this has to come from somewhere often resulting in a loss of normal earnings, a neglected build and compromised end result, or a very protracted ‘millstone around your neck’. It’s usually better to focus on your profession and keep the money coming in.
They assume all the Health & Safety responsibilities for ensuring your site is a 'safe place to work', risk assessments, etc.
Where your project involves more than one contractor, that in control of the construction work normally assumes this responsibility, but, if you choose to be Project Manager, you will very likely be deemed responsible meaning you may become liable if there is an accident on site. (see CDM Regulations)
A good manager will ensure any existing buildings and the ground to be built on are sound so the finished job stands the test of time
You may need structural, damp, plumbing, electrical (one of our specialities) and ground surveys. We can help decide which of these are needed. Neglecting these before you start can lead to unforeseen problems, costs and delays later in the build.
For creativity, out of the box ideas, solutions to problems, materials and methods you may not have considered and practical experience
See ‘Who We Are’ for details on the extent of our experience
To achieve the result, you want to time and budget.
A common reason for projects not coming in on time and budget is that these were unrealistic at the outset. We prepare detailed plans and budgets to ensure a small margin for error.
A good project manager will significantly reduce the risk of accidents, litigation and insurance claims
“The majority of insurance claims on building projects are essentially due to a lack of proper project management during the build” Source: Self Build Insurance Guide selfbuildzone.com
preparation for building
what we can offer
Important tips on how to get planning permission
We will briefly assess your project before suggesting how you might go about getting planning permission.
Great advice on layout design
We use a structured approach to help you decide the objectives the design should meet, then assist with deciding how these can be met. In building, conflicting objectives always result in the need to compromise.
Help engaging good builders and tradesmen
This is one of the most critical and difficult aspects of any building project. We have some knowledge of local builders and tradesmen which can make a big difference.
Advice on the specialist surveys you might need
We can help you decide if you need structural, damp, plumbing, electrical (one of our specialities) and ground surveys. Neglecting these at the start can lead to unforeseen problems, costs and delays later on.
We assume the responsibility for ensuring your building project is a safe place to work along with all the implications of this:
We carry out a full risk assessment and ensure that risk mitigation measures are designed into the build as per the requirements of the CDM regulations. We also take responsibility for ensuring your site is a safe place to work.
A plan for how the technically difficult aspects of the project will be managed
Projects often have critical aspects; getting these wrong will lead to delays and cost escalations. We often have the requisite skills for these, but if not, we will ensure the right people are on-site as necessary.
Help to manage expectations
A building project is an exciting time full of expectation, but desires of family members can conflict and cause tension. Expectations can also be sullied by the stress and expense of a project or wrong decisions. A project manager as an independent third party can help enormously to ensure expectations are realistic and to realise these.
YOU MAY ALSO NEED
Help finding land
Most people are aware that finding building plots can be really difficult. We can give you some tips on how you might go about this or you might wish to engage the services of a professional such as plotfinder.net
Professional surveyors for example ground, structural, damp etc.
Sometimes these are not necessary, but where they are needed, they can save you a large amount of money down the track.
Help getting planning permission
We can offer important tips on how you might go about obtaining planning permission, but depending on circumstances, you may need professional help. A starting point might be foxleytaggplanning.co.uk/
Financing for your project
You will very likely have to go to a specialist lender, so loan costs will be higher, but they will be much more supportive if there are any issues during the build and you can remortgage immediately your build is complete. One such specialist lender is buildstore.co.uk. Some provincial building societies may also be an option
Project insurance (home insurance policies do not cover building projects)
selfbuildzone.com is an insurer specialising in protecting building projects from start to finish. They are certainly a place to start as you can use them as a ‘bench-mark’ against which to compare other insurance offerings.
A low-cost source for draft legal contract documents
All the Legal Contract Templates you might require can be sourced at low cost from contractstore.com
Building control services
Building control involvement (either your local authority or an alternative provider) is obligatory and should you sell your property within 10 years, the lenders to prospective purchasers will insist on a structural warranty before they lend. selfbuildzone.com offer a package combining structural warranty and building control services.
during the building phase
what we do
Management of the project to time and budget
A common reason projects do not come in on time and budget is these were unrealistic at the outset; we prepare detailed plans and budgets before the start, then maintain an up to date record of project costs as they occur for comparison against the budget and plan.
Ensuring trades work together
Price and time pressures on a building site can lead to individuals optimising their situation without sufficient consideration for the other trades or the customer. Careful management can avoid the onset of inconsiderate behaviour.
Use our broad base of experience to deal with any problems arising during the build
Refer to the ‘Who We Are’ page of this site for details on our experience.
Timely resource management within limits of the site constraints
Storage space on building sites is always a problem; materials delivered before they are required get in the way and may be damaged. Trades who are not on site at the right time delay the project and other trades. Good resource management is essential to ensure the right materials, people and equipment are on site at the right times.
On-going oversight of contractors to ensure the quality result you require
We ensure we are on site at the right times so that standards are maintained and the overall build quality required is achieved.
how we work
We use a disciplined, structured approach
We pride ourselves as excellent communicators
Ethical and Fair.
