Guide to hiring a Project Manager
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A Project Manager or PM is the person who is responsible for the planning and management of a building venture. Their scope covers everything from the initiation and project plans right through to the day-to-day management of the work. The PM will deal with costs of the project, the safety and all contractors working on the project.
When would I need a project manager?
Whenever there is a large quantity of complex work to be carried out a Project Manager will usually be hired to oversee and organise all aspects of the project. They will routinely work closely with the architects. Usually the architects design the work and hire the PM to carry out the construction. The PM will manage the construction team, plan the construction of the project, source the contractors and scheduling the scope of works. Ideally the PM and architects will work closely together during the project to ensure that the architects vision is executed correctly and ensure that any problems which arise are resolved.
What can I expect a PM to actually do?
- Define the scope of the project. Write up the specifications and ensure you (the client) are able to see that the project is on track every step of the way.
- All of the planning. Most importantly this will cover working out the costs and allocating the funds. Correct planning ensures that a project is delivered to budget.
- Sourcing the contractors. Most PMs will have contractors they’ve worked with before and will ask a couple of these to tender before figuring out who will fit into the project schedule and costs.
- Produce a project plan. This will show what work will be carried out when and should include all the tasks required to complete the project and which contractor and when these will be done by. This is usually a linear plan.
- A separate plan of cost should also be produced by the PM. The PM should ensure that this budget is adhered to and that any changes are effectively communicated to all parties.
- The PM should be on-site every day supervising the contractors who are working on the project and overseeing every step that’s taken and ensuring that a high level of health and safety is observed.
- Your PM should also provide constant feedback on the project. They’ll also let you have updates on the costs and scope of the project.
How do I find a project manager?
You can post a job for a Project Manager on Service Central or use your existing connections ie by talking to your architect.
What should I ask my project manager?
- How long are they going to take to plan the job?
- Can you recommend contractors for my job?
- Have you done similar work before?
- What’s a realistic timeframe for this project?
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