We work together as a team to offer our clients interior architecture, design, and project administration. Irene, her team and the interior architects, and interior designers, lead while Ian, Ian, and their team are on-site and mostly on the telephone as our project management team.
In the initial stages of a project, one of our most frequent questions is whether there is a real need to have a dedicated Project Manager. What value does a Project Manager bring?
In this post, they share their reasons for believing that a project manager is essential for any large-scale refurbishment or renovation project. They also discuss why the project managers and design team should work closely together.
What is project administration?
Project Management is, generally speaking, the management of the entire project. It includes budgeting, planning, execution, and managing each member of the team that are required to complete a construction job.
In the luxury residential industry, the project manager is responsible to ensure that each aspect of the project, from start through finish, is costed and communicated to all parties, reviewed, approved, and delivered within the agreed timeframe and budget. In the luxury residential and hospitality market, project managers must also have an artistic flair and creativeness to ensure that every element of the project is delivered on time and within budget.
The best project management teams are always five steps ahead. It could be planning permissions for sourcing craftsmen, financial checks or consultant appointments.
Why is project Management important?
A strong project management team is a key component of any project. If deadlines and key milestones get missed, budgets spiral into chaos, and details are forgotten, projects can quickly go from spectacular to disastrous. An unhappy homeowner can reduce the enjoyment of their space if the finish isn’t perfect.
Clients often think that their main contractor, designer, architect or even themselves could take on the role as project manager without additional costs. It is possible to use this approach if you are a client with experience in managing projects and have a strong team. But this route is not recommended for beginners or the weak hearted.
Most cases, project management is a full-time job for high-end residential development. Project management teams will not only have access to trusted contractors, consultants, and manufacturers but also have established project checklists & programme. This team will also have extensive experience in managing contracts, cost planning, value engineering, and organizational skills.
An average project will include well over 20 skilled trades for the fixed components. While a white-box finish on a new-built home could be accomplished with five trades or less than the average, it will likely require more than that number of trades. A white box finish is affordable and easy to fix, but it’s not for luxury interiors. Either programming errors, missed design approvals, inadequate communication, or lack of control over subcontractors could lead to costly mistakes. It can be frustrating to have wall finishes that are perfect ruined by a small element of the electrical and mechanical services not being properly tested. A hundred elements are to be approved and reviewed, so mistakes can easily become costly.
The job of the project manager often involves more pre-empting and less solving problems. To ensure that the design and execution of the work on site is in line with what was planned, the project manager must collaborate closely with the architect/designer. Project management teams with years of experience will make this a much simpler task.
Let’s talk about money
Budgets are an important aspect that architects, designers, and engineers often shy away from until after the tender phase. It’s not because of lack of knowledge. Instead, budgets play second fiddle to the design task. This area is where the relationship between your designer, project manager and client is key.
Clients often have a budget for any project. In luxury interiors, the majority of the funds will not go to construction costs. Depending on the project, it could be several times the cost of building a shell.
Establishing a cost plan and meeting with the design team in advance can help clients get an idea of their budget. It will also give project managers a starting point for designing a budget.
A competent project manager will be a support and check-and-balance for the design group by suggesting potential value engineering, suggesting alternative finishes or material options and generally managing the effect of key design elements on a construction program. Sometimes, minor changes in design can help save weeks of effort and the associated costs.
How can I tell if the project manager is performing well?
Effective project management, in our opinion, is when you question why you’re paying for the service.
Unfortunately, project managers rarely get the attention they deserve. Be assured, things can go smoothly if they are managed well. Behind the scenes, there is a lot going on. Many meetings, emails, and calls are taking place. Also, there is a lot to do. If you feel that move-in was enjoyable and smooth, give credit to your manager.