Should I use a Construction Project Management company?

Should I use a Construction Project Management company?

 

Using a Construction Project Management company can be highly beneficial, especially for complex or large-scale projects.

Here are some key reasons:

1. Expertise and Experience:

• Construction Project Management companies have skilled professionals experienced in planning, coordinating, and executing construction projects efficiently.

• They understand local regulations, building codes, and industry standards.

2. Efficient Project Planning:

• They create comprehensive project plans, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.

• This minimises delays and cost overruns, keeping the project on track.

3. Risk Management:

• They identify potential risks early and develop mitigation strategies, reducing financial and safety risks.

• Their experience helps foresee issues that might not be obvious at the project’s outset.

4. Cost Control and Budgeting:

• Professional management ensures accurate cost estimation and budget adherence.

• They manage contracts, procurement, and negotiations to get the best value.

5. Coordination and Communication:

• Construction Project Management companies act as a central point of contact, coordinating architects, engineers, contractors, and stakeholders.

• They ensure clear communication, which reduces misunderstandings and conflicts.

6. Quality Assurance:

• They oversee quality control at every phase, ensuring that construction standards and client expectations are met.

• Regular inspections and audits help maintain high quality and safety standards.

7. Time Efficiency:

• Project managers keep the schedule on track, handling any changes swiftly without disrupting progress.

• This reduces downtime and increases productivity.

8. Legal and Compliance Management:

• They can manage permits, licenses, and compliance with local regulations, reducing legal hassles.

• Proper documentation and reporting keep the project legally sound.

 

Who can project manage my self build, renovation or extension project?

Literally it could be anyone!

It could be your architect, your builder, a professional independent project manager or other construction professional, such as a quantity surveyor or structural engineer.

As each project and build design is very different, it is important to do your research and appoint the most appropriate professional to suit your requirements.

If you are not keen to instruct a Construction Project Management company, look for an individual who has good local contacts and has several satisfied clients with similar projects nearby. Go and have a look at previous work, or speak to clients who have used the services.

 

Architects will typically focus more on the design, technical and contract side of a build rather than actually running a project on the ground. There is nothing wrong with that, as that is their skill set. Remember, not all architects specialise in the same type of projects.

 

If you do decide to do the project management yourself, be prepared for the level of responsibility and time you need to dedicate. The worst approach is to have a go, only for things to go wrong so you end up paying for work twice. Coming home late into the evening to work on your project is a tough call – the stress involved can put a strain on relationships with partners and family.

 

What does it cost to hire a project manager?

Bringing in a professional Construction Project Management Company to take on the Project Management role can cost between 5%-10% of your overall budget, which could run to £10,000s. So it’s easy to see why some self builders view this as an ideal place to trim budgets by managing their own projects. However, having an experienced professional on board could actually offer great savings.

The ability to keep on top of the project’s finances is where the value of a professional Project Manager really comes into play. They are trained to understand exactly what’s needed to bring the scheme together and can therefore budget accordingly. Fundamentally, less is likely to go wrong during the works because they’ll have planned efficiently. Their experience means they’re more likely to know how to deal with trades and to notice early on if something hasn’t been done right, prior to it becoming a major issue.

So, before you dismiss the idea of bringing in a qualified professional, consider whether the benefits could actually outweigh the expense. Doing it yourself will come with a host of responsibilities and getting it wrong could cost you a lot of money.

 

CLPM Construction Project Management offer a variety of bespoke services that could suit all types of projects. We can manage the whole process or provide site support which is more of a hand holding service as you need help. We would like to make your construction project journey that bit easier.

If you want any more details on our construction project management services, please call 01923 896550 or email info@cl-pm.com

You can also read about our previous jobs where we have been able to help clients with their projects. Our case studies show many different situations where our project management team have made a significant difference to the project’s success.