23 Sep Do I need a Project Manager for my build?

Building your own home is many peoples’ idea of a dream scenario. When you buy an existing property, you find yourself making compromises and adapting your lifestyle to fit the property. However, when you build your own home you can have almost everything just where (and how) you want it – no compromise.

When you start thinking about building your own luxury home, “do I need a Project Manager” will probably be one of the first questions you ask yourself. We are going to take a look at how having a dedicated Project Manager can benefit your project.

Here at Chaucer Homes, we don’t charge for project management; this service is included with the construction build and we wouldn’t work any other way. So, if you would like to speak to a member of our expert team about building a luxury home, give us a call on 01753 392 410 or email us.

What is a Project Manager?

This is relatively self-explanatory; the Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the entire project. They manage the budget, the timelines and spend much of their time liaising between the construction professionals, tradesmen and the client. They are problem-solving, trouble shooting, management diplomats who keep the whole project ticking along.

Project Managers will also be responsible for health and safety, time management and cost control throughout the design and build phase. They are the ones to hand over the keys once the project is complete.

It is important for a Project Manager to have in-depth knowledge of finance and construction best practices. Non-Project Managers who take on their own home projects often fall short in this complex area.

Can I manage my own project?

Good question; but it’s one you have to ask yourself. Simply put, there are some very good reasons why the title Project Manager is a job role in construction. It is precisely that, a full time, specialist job. Sure from the outside looking in, it could seem relatively straight forward but the reality is that it is an integral role in any development

Residential construction projects are highly nuanced, regardless of what you can glean from books, YouTube and articles, there are still aspects of the trade that you cannot know about until you get your hands dirty on site.

If you are inexperienced and decide to go it alone, you will need to manage the expectations of all parties involved and prepare for the entire project to take a lot longer. The learning curve is steep and you are almost certain to make mistakes which will add to your costs and the time taken.

Because we’re worth it

A Project Manager will save you time, stress and most importantly money. According to research conducted by CLPM, most unmanaged building projects in the UK (approx. 90%) overspend by an average of 20%. That means that on an extension or refurbishment estimated at £150,000, you could see additional costs of around £30,000; and we don’t even charge for Project Management as part of our full service.

Get in Touch

If you would like to schedule in a call to talk about your property options and how to build your dream home, please contact us on 01753 392 410 or email us. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn – we would love to hear from you.