If you’re the homeowner of a new construction project, a good project manager can make all the difference. The role of a project manager in construction is to be your go-to person during the homebuilding process and can help you get everything done on time, within budget, and according to your preferences. A bad project manager will lead to problems with communication and coordination which can lead to delays in completion and even higher costs than expected. In this piece, you’ll learn how to communicate with your project manager to make things go as desired.
Organize a Meeting With Your Contractor and Yourself To Get Acquainted
The first step to a successful relationship is getting to know each other. The best way to do this is by organizing a meeting with yourself, your contractor, and the project manager. This will give you all an opportunity to get acquainted and set expectations for how things are going to go from here on out. Here’s what you should ask them:
- What experience do they have? Ask about projects they’ve worked on in the past and what their favorite part was about working on them (this can be a great insight into who they are as people).
- What does their vision for our project look like? What are their plans for how it will look when finished? What is the role of a project manager in construction? Do they have any special design ideas or details that would make things stand out more than others? These details may seem small at first, but these additions could really take things up yet another notch!
Whether you’re working with an excavation contractor or some other specialist, getting a feel for the way they work will do wonders over the course of your project.
Go Over Any Paperwork You Have on the Project and Offer To Show It to Them
After the meeting, this is a good opportunity to go over any paperwork you have on the project and offer to show it to them. Have a copy of the blueprints, permit, list of permits that are needed, list of inspections that are needed, and the contract between you and your contractor with you at all times in case someone asks for it (which they will). The role of a project manager in construction is multi-faceted so be sure to include everything to keep them in the loop.
Be Open to a Walk-through of the Property Whether or Not You Already Had One
A walk-through is important for a few reasons. For starters, the role of a project manager in construction is to give you a good idea of the scope of your project and what is involved in completing it. You can also use this time to ask questions about anything that may be unclear and get answers from someone who is knowledgeable about construction projects. And if there are any concerns, from costs to construction dumpster rental logistics, now’s the time to bring those up so that they can be addressed before things get too far along.
Feel Free To Ask Questions (And Don’t Feel Bad About Asking Simple Ones)
Asking questions is an important part of the project manager-client relationship. You will likely have lots of questions, and it’s fine to ask them. You should not feel bad about asking simple or even stupid questions. One role of a project manager in construction is to make you comfortable with your contractor and the construction process, so he or she will likely welcome your inquiries.
It can be hard for people who aren’t familiar with home construction projects. Don’t worry if what you’re wondering about seems silly or simple, as everything from door replacements to rental costs factor into your project. You may find that it actually helps illuminate something important for everyone involved in this process.
Ask About the Timeline for the Project
As you’re creating your timeline, make sure you get a timeline from the contractor. How long does it take to get a permit? How long does it take to get the materials? What happens if there are delays? When will they be working on your property and what type of noise should you expect during different phases of the project (e.g., when custom insulated glass installation begins, when drywall/painting is done)?
The role of a project manager in construction is always evolving over the course of a project. Staying diligent about the timeline is a key component to anyone working in construction management.
Discuss the Logistics of Heavy Equipment Coming and Going From Your Property, if Necessary
Another topic to discuss with your project manager is the logistics of heavy construction equipment coming and going from your property, especially if the construction site is far away from the main road. Will they be accessing the property frequently? How will they get in and out of the property? You may also want to ask about any limitations on their access to your land, such as if there are any restrictions or limitations due to environmental concerns. If they need to construct a temporary road or driveway for their heavy equipment, this will also require planning with local utilities like electric and water providers.
Talk About How Often They Will Be On-site and What Their Role Is During Construction
Talk about how often they will be on-site and the role of a project manager in construction. Check for clarity on expectations for your project’s progress. What does ‘within budget’ mean? How often should you expect an update?
In addition, you should also ask if they have any suggestions, or want feedback from you on anything. Most remodeling companies, for example, are open to you giving them information as well, but keep it brief and actionable: ‘We would like to see the kitchen flooring installed next week,’ would work well here, rather than ‘The orange tile looks awful.’
Developing a Rough Budget
Talking about finances can cause some people to feel discomfort, but when you’re dealing with roofing companies, contractors, and other entities during a home project, money is important. One of the biggest hurdles in home construction is budgeting. You can’t build a house if you don’t know how much it’s going to cost. But there are many factors that come into play when estimating the cost of a house, and it can be difficult to get an accurate estimate of your total costs.
If you’re planning on building your own home, then it’s a good idea to speak with the project manager about your estimated costs. When looking at how much it will cost to build your home, there are a number of factors you should consider. The first thing you need to do is determine how big you want your house to be and what type of materials will be used. If you’re going with traditional wood siding and shingles, for example, this might lower the cost more than if you were using brick or stone siding.
Another factor that affects cost is whether or not you’re building from scratch or adding to an existing structure. If the house already exists, then all that’s needed is some remodeling work; however, if you’re building from scratch, there will be more labor involved in creating the foundation and framing walls than if you were just adding onto an existing structure. While the role of a project manager in construction is not to become your personal accountant, an honest talk about money can help you make more informed decisions with your construction.
Talk About Subcontractors Too
You should talk to the project manager about subcontractors. Subcontractors are part of your home construction project team, and they can be hired for specific tasks or for a specific period of time. They can also be hired to do specific tasks on the job site.
You should discuss with the project manager whether you want to hire a subcontractor who will work in-house all day long, or if you would prefer someone who is here for just a few hours each day. If you’re going with a full-time worker, make sure that he or she has experience working in homes similar to yours so that he/she doesn’t make any mistakes during construction (like drilling holes into pipes).
Create Meetings With Other Contractors
The role of a project manager in construction is unique because it requires a collaborative effort. There are many different people involved in the process, and each one needs to be able to communicate well with the others. If you’re working with a construction contractor, then you need to be able to communicate effectively with them. It’s not just about being able to get what you want out of them, it’s also about getting what they want out of you.
You should always schedule meetings with your contractor so that they can explain what they need from you and vice versa. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding their individual roles in the project. In addition, regular meetings help keep things moving forward smoothly throughout the entire project timeline. If you want to avoid any problems or issues with your contractor, then make sure you schedule regular meetings together.
Construction projects can range from renovations to new buildings and even infrastructure improvements. The success of these projects depends on the cooperation between the construction contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Without proper communication and coordination, work could be delayed, cost overruns could occur and quality could suffer.
Many people don’t realize that it’s possible for them to schedule meetings with contractors for free through online scheduling software like Doodle.com. By scheduling meetings through Doodle, you’ll be able to see when contractors are available for meetings so that you can coordinate them with your own schedule. Whether remote or in-person, work to schedule one-on-one meetings or group meetings if necessary.
Get Into Details Often
One role of a project manager in construction is to discuss the details of your project. You should have an idea of what kind of work you want to be done in your home or business, but be flexible when discussing prices and timelines, because there are many factors that affect these things, such as weather conditions and availability of materials. If you are unsure about anything, be sure to ask questions so that you understand why certain decisions were made for your project.
Be sure to bring along any paperwork related to the project such as blueprints and estimates from the roofer and any other contractors, so that all parties involved can see what needs to be done on-site and how much it will cost to complete the task.
Communicate Well and Often to Maintain a Strong Rapport
The most important thing to do is communicate. Communication is key in any project, but especially for a home construction project where so much can go wrong if you don’t have the right communication. Here are some tips for communicating effectively with your project manager:
- Always have your questions ready before the meeting begins. Your project manager will be very busy and may not have time to answer all of your questions during the meeting if they aren’t prepared beforehand.
- Bring along a list of things that need to be taken care of by others on the team (such as electrical or HVAC contractors), so that these issues can be addressed accordingly during the meeting.
- Have someone else come with you if it’s possible, especially if this person has experience doing similar projects or has been involved in building homes in general before–this way they’ll understand what kind of questions should be asked!
Staying in touch with the project manager is the best step you can take to ensure that everything goes well with your construction. Don’t shy away from reaching out and doing your part, and you’re sure to see positive results coming back your way. That’s it! Now you’re ready to start construction on your dream home. We hope this post helped you get started on the right foot with your project manager.