The Benefits of Hiring a Project Manager
Whether it’s new home construction or an extensive remodeling job, the success of a project can come down to whether or not you have a competent Project Manager. The responsibilities of a Project Manager may vary depending on the company and the scope of the remodel, but their ultimate goal is to manage the timeframe, costs and details necessary for completing the project at hand.
Once a project is ready to be executed, the Project Manager bears the weight of the responsibility of seeing the job is carried out without any major setbacks. This requires a combination of skills, including:
- Solid Communication: An experienced Project Manager will be in constant communication with the client and contractors to ensure everyone is on the same page during the project. They are essentially the center-point for gathering all of the project’s details and making sure everyone is working together like a well-oiled machine.
- Ability to Forsee Issues: A Project Manager needs to be able to recognize issues and make assumptions ahead of time. Being able to solve problems before they occur can greatly save time and money down the road.
- Scheduling and Overseeing Contractors: A qualified Project Manager will be able to plan, schedule, and monitor multiple people at a time, including subcontractors, vendors and clients, while also providing budgetary oversight.
- Knowledge of Codes and Permits: Most project managers are responsible for plan review, change orders, contract management and permitting. They are there to ensure that a job doesn’t start without the proper permits, and knowing when specific inspections need to be scheduled in order to keep the job moving forward
Today, there are multiple tools available that are designed to allow Project Managers to easily manage all facets of a project in a more efficient manner. For instance, many project managers may use an estimating program to ensure proper job costing. There are also various Gantt charts available to help Project Managers measure timelines within a critical path in order to meet milestones so that the job may come in on or under budget. There are also many books accessible to make certain every job is code compliant in its jurisdiction.
It is important to hire an experienced Project Manager to make sure your remodeling project is less stressful and ultimately less expensive. A solid Project Manager understands the importance of risk management and the concept of “time is money”. In addition, a Project Manager that can provide a keen eye for quality craftsmanship and be an effective communicator will lend hand to a successful and stress-free remodeling job.