Construction management has long been a service used by businesses who need to expand, because it allows business owners the ability to utilize the skills and expertise of a general contractor and take advantage of full disclosure on contract and product pricing, while maintaining total control of the decision making process. Recently there has been a trend among homeowners to utilize this model to assist with the acquisition of property, home building and large renovation projects. Construction managers are often hired for a flat per project, or hourly rate to share their expertise throughout the building process — all other costs are reviewed, negotiated, and approved by the homeowner with complete transparency. So here are 5 times when hiring a construction manager will totally pay off during your building project.
1. HOUSE-HUNTING
What’s the best thing about hiring a construction manager during the house-hunting phase? They can visualize what a property will look like once the project is complete. If you’re like most homeowners, given a range of options you will not be able to identify which fixer upper runs the risk of being a money pit. Hiring a construction manager will allow you to weigh the advantages and disadvantages between renovating an existing property, and new construction. Hiring a construction manager during the house hunting process also gives you the confidence of knowing that the property you’re about to purchase has what it takes to transform into the home of your dreams. They will be able to offer valuable insights into how much work you can expect to create the open floor plan you want, how much it will cost to add an extra bathroom, or if the basement is dry enough to be converted into a your brand new man-cave. They will be able to give you an expert opinion on which walls are load bearing, which DIY projects the previous homeowners botched, and identify if the changes in your vision comply with local zoning regulations. Should problems arise during the settlement and approval process a construction manager can also be hired to offer professional expertise and/or representation to help overcome any barriers.
2. DESIGN
For those of you who live in the real world chances are you started out with a Plan A, then life happened and you diverted to Plan B… then Plan C … and its safe to say if you’ve done it right you’ve pretty much lost count. In fact most would say it is unwise to operate with only one plan. However, when you hire an architect to design a plan for your home they typically don’t give you a Plan B. Hiring a construction manager during the design process can help to ensure the difference between your architectural plans and bringing them into reality isn’t going to cost you a fortune. They can also recommend an architect who has experience designing the type of home you want, compare design estimates, review the plans with you and ensure the design features in your plans are going to meet your needs. In addition a construction manager can develop a project plan and project schedule that will give you an estimate of the time it will take to complete the project as designed and how much it will cost.
3. BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
Now that you’ve got the plans, how do you find skilled professionals to complete the job? Consulting with a construction manager during the building process will allow you to evaluate and compare the expertise and skill level of potential sub contractors, evaluate and compare bids, and negotiate contract terms. A construction manager will also be able to streamline the purchasing process by showing you the products and pricing options that are available. They can also provide valuable product design and warrantee information that give you the ability to choose quality materials for your home that fit both your style and your budget. Once construction is underway your construction manager can also be hired to monitor on-site job safety, schedule and manage inspections, and ensure your sub-contractors maintain a high standard of service.
4. ADMINISTRATION
Once the construction is underway chances are you don’t have time to be there day in and day out to ensure your sub-contractors are completing the job they said they were going to do when they said they would do it. Hiring a construction manager during the administration process will ensure your sub contractors are completing the work exactly how it was outlined in their contract. As change orders are likely to come up during your building project, your construction manager will also be there to certify the charges are legitimate and fair, review the new terms with you and quickly get the project back on track. A construction manager can also work with you to negotiate and setup payment terms, offer additional on-site training, and keep you updated on the progress.
5. MAINTENANCE
Once your building project is complete your construction manager can provide valuable insight on maintaining your investment, ensure you have the information necessary to keep compliant with warrantee requirements, and recommend trusted professionals for regular service.