The Benefits And Downfalls of Managing Build Projects

When you are initiating a building project, one of the essential considerations is how it is going to be managed. For a small project or extension you could consider managing the contractors yourself, although there may be timing elements that you have to consider. However, if your building project is for a complete new house or property then I would advise employing a qualified person to manage the project for you, as it is not as easy as it seems, and timing and sequence of events are essential. Your chosen local builder can help you to identify which contractors are required, and at which point of the project, I certainly know of Stamford Builders who can help with this.

There are requirements for all types and sizes of building projects, such as the design, finance, employing contractors, and legal considerations. For the smaller project these may all be managed by you, although I would suggest that you select contractors with care, taking references, and seeing which contractors are being used by the local authority or large companies in the area. They will have professional purchasing teams, and will have gone through rigorous tender and selection processes.

For the larger project I would suggest employing an experienced professional to manage the project on your behalf, as there are many considerations, each requiring different skills:-Design - this will require specifications from surveyors and engineers, and a scaled drawing completed.Bill of quantities - this is a list of all the materials required, based upon the information from the drawing, usually provided by a Quantity Surveyor.Contract selection - all the different contractors will have to be selected, such as builders, plumbers, electricians, tillers, heating engineers, roofers, decorators, landscapers.Finance & Budget - when the various contractors have been selected, then a budget has to be set and the finance completed.Legal considerations - there are the Planning Permission requirements, Building Regulations, Electrical Installation Certificate, Fuel Appliance Certificates, Gas Appliance & Supply Certificates, Heating & Hot Water Installation Certificates, Fire Certificates, amongst many others, such as the various Insurances and Health & Safety compliances.Project management - ensuring that everything happens in the correct sequence, within the planned time, and remains in budget.

Depending on the size of the project you may wish to employ a Programme Manager and a Main Contractor to manage all the different trade contractors on your behalf. If it is a large project it can pay to do so, especially if you are not going to be on site all of the time.

If you are employing a Main Contractor, then it is important to draw up precise contracts which identify which party is responsible for whom and what regarding workmanship, quality of materials, and completion on time.

There are also licences and insurance policies which have to be in place. Good companies will have insurance for them and their employees, and public (insurance) indemnity if they are to work externally or on public premises, where a member of the public could be injured or affected by the work. But always ask what their insurance covers, and proof of their cover if you wish. When using Stamford Builders I ensure that they and any sub-contractors provide these.

As you have probably gathered by now, the management of a complete build is complex, and requires continual attention to ensure that each event is completed on time, in budget, and complies with legislation. It requires a good knowledge of all the procedures and functions. Therefore, I would advise for larger building projects that you do employ specialists or employ a Construction Management firm that will employ all the specialists and manage the project from beginning to end, whilst adhering to the performance specifications. This is known as a "Design Build" contract.

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