What Is Construction Project Management?
In this blog we discuss what is construction project management? And we identify how can a project manager help you with a house extension, a renovation, a new build or integrating sustainability into your home?
The role of a Project Manager seems to be topical at present with such ringing endorsements as Kevin Mcloud from Grand Designs. In fact, project managers occur in most businesses. They have qualifications in management, and they have their own professional Association (APM). At its most basic a project is a one-off operation. Not a repeated process and a project manager is the person who is going to oversee this operation from start to finish.
The building process.
The historic model is for an Architect to act as the Contract Administrator for a client. The architect will then engage a contractor (builder) on behalf of the client. Both Architect and Builder often seem to use the words Project Manager to describe their role. This can lead to confusion with clients. They often suspect that they are paying for the same service twice. In this contractual arrangement the builder bears all the construction risk. Whilst the Contract Administrator’s role is to check for the client that the terms of the contract are being adhered to. It does mean that both parties are involved in management of the project. From a Charlie Laing point of view on this type of arrangement we offer a Contract Administration service on a fixed fee basis.
There are other models that should also be considered:
- Do without the Contract Administrator
Here the client in effect acts as the Contract Administrator themselves. Again at its most basic this is something that we have probably all had experience of as you will not have employed a Contract Administrator when you wanted your bedroom repainted or your bathroom retiled. This means that you may already have some experience with negotiating variations or tracking day work hours. Looking after a whole project is an extrapolation from that. You need to be able to answer all the builder’s questions and be happy tracking his expenditure and agreeing his invoices.
- Do without a builder who oversees the work.
These days most builders subcontract much of their work. They charge a fee on top of the subcontractor’s price for management. For taking the risks on the project and for profit. Our Project Management service strips out the builder and tenders directly to tradesmen. You appoint each tradesman directly. We make sure they turn up in the right order and at the right time via our programming service. As a builder typically charges about 15% this route can work out more cost effective.
Employing a construction project manager to co-ordinate your home build, renovation or an extension will save your sanity, time and money.
CLPM Project Manager as a Contract Administrator
Our Contract Administration service is ideal if you are building using a main contractor. Especially if you want the reassurance of an independent construction expert by your side. Contract Administration provides financial protection. It will also allow you to carry out your building works with confidence.
The Contract Administrator’s role is a contractual one. It is there to ensure that the construction works adhere to the building contract. CLPM will be there to ensure your build team build as per your designs and specifications. And at the cost and timescale agreed.
Employing an independent construction expert like CLPM as your Contract Administrator will bring fresh pair of eyes. Our team will not only protect your interests. Using CLPM, will add value by highlighting and tackling any design or technical issues or inconsistencies which may have been missed by your architect or build team.
If you want any more details on our 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.
