7 Reasons to Hire a Construction Project Manager

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

"​A manager coordinating work is one of the reasons to hire a construction project manager"

​If you've decided to build a home from scratch, or are planning a major addition or renovation in your current home, then you will face the decision of whether you want to hire a construction project manager. This can seem like a waste of money. Especially considering you are already paying contractors whom you can safely assume are professionals. However, before you conclude, check out our seven reasons to hire a construction project manager.

Good Project Managers have connections in the industry

​The first reason to hire a construction project manager is their connections. You see, planning out a project is all well and good. However, can you guarantee that you will be able to find the best experts to carry it out? What about finding a construction crew that has experience with a very similar project? Even finding a construction crew which has a stellar reputation can prove extremely difficult. After all, just how many contractors have you ever heard of in your city? Casual internet browsing can hardly reveal all of them. And even more, in-depth research can fail you. On the other hand, a construction project manager can help you find the ideal contractors for your needs. They will also be able to help you avoid making the mistake of hiring someone who is not reliable.

"Connections are crucial for finding the best experts in the industry"

The right Project Manager has professional knowledge

​Of course, one of the more significant reasons to hire a construction project manager is their knowledge. And we are not just talking about their understanding of how to best carry out a construction project. They will also be able to assist you with a whole bevy of other tasks. For example, they typically have great familiarity with local construction laws. You can avoid missing out on some of the required permits and applications. And it's a mistake which can make your entire build illegal! They can even offer design tips for building a fun home or constructing a particular addition or renovation. After all, they've seen plenty of other homes built, which makes them more than qualified to give casual advice on the subject.

"​They've seen plenty of other homes built, which makes them more than qualified to give casual advice on the subject"

Project Managers can help budget your home construction project

​If you are still not sold on hiring a construction project manager, consider this: their help with budgeting will be invaluable. Again, this is a scenario similar to finding the right company. You know what's needed, in theory. You also likely know the exact amount of materials you will need to build your home. However, how often does reality perfectly align with people's plans? Not very often, that's for sure. In the end, this means that you will frequently run into a situation where you need to make additional purchases. And purchasing small quantities of building materials is actually more expensive than when you buy them in bulk. So, experienced construction project managers can help you predict these problems and allow you to acquire the necessary materials you will need all at once.

Project Managers can ensure your home reno project is finished on time 

"Project Managers can help keep your project on track"

​Yet another reason to hire a construction project manager is the fact that they will help keep your project on track and on time. There are many reasons why your project might start flagging and encounter delays. For example, your insistence on trying to make your home more pet friendly and the additions that stem from that can end up causing minor delays as they are incorporated. Your construction project manager can help spot these potential problems in advance and either call in more workers or simply organize their tasks better to compensate. This 'simple' adjustment can mean the difference between floundering to hit the deadline and finishing with leisure. Also, remember that construction crews rushing to complete a project are often liable to make mistakes. Mistakes that can easily compromise the quality of the build itself! 

Home building projects have problems - Project Managers can resolve issues

​We've hinted at it already, but construction project managers are highly valued for their problem-solving ability. A construction project rarely goes from start to finish without something going wrong. It is impossible to eliminate human error despite people's best efforts to do so. And this means that your own build will likely run into some kind of trouble sooner rather than later. Without a construction project manager, this might mean a lengthy and chaotic process of trying to untangle and fix the mess. If you even have the required knowledge for how best to do it at all, that is. With a construction project manager? You can relax and watch them do their job, turning a potential disaster into just another day of routine work.

Coordinating construction crews

​Another reason to have a construction project manager on the job is that they are experts at crew coordination. Frequently, the biggest issues during a project result from bad scheduling and problems with your workers. This isn't to say it's necessarily their fault. For example, if a couple of your construction workers get sick, you can hardly blame them for missing their shifts. But, this would still mean facing a worker shortage, which in turn causes a string of delays and issues. A project manager can better communicate with the construction workers, help organize their shifts, and account for sudden changes such as the one we gave as an example.

"Frequently, the biggest issues during a project result from bad scheduling and problems with your workers"

Build your home safely

​The final reason to hire a construction project manager is increased on-site safety. Everyone knows that construction work is often dangerous. Hauling heavy materials and construction equipment around, often at considerable heights, is not exactly easy or safe. And a regular person, even a professional with plenty of experience at their job, cannot constantly remain alert and careful. Admittedly, even a project manager won't be able to force the issue and get them to be at their best every moment of their workday. But, they can ensure they've taken all the necessary steps to mitigate the damage done to themselves and the building.

Home building projects benefit from having a good Project Manager

​Knowing about the seven reasons to hire a construction project manager, you can now make a more informed decision. The risks of refusing to hire a manager are apparent, so it is always best to have one backing you up if you face a more significant project.

Author

​Ciel Brown is an experienced construction worker, handyman, and mover currently associated with Number 1 Movers Canada. He likes to share his knowledge and experience with people who might find it helpful through informative blog posts.

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