I am listing below tasks that I have found are critical for creating a smooth running home construction project. These are all tasks that an experienced Owner’s Representative, (a.k.a., Project Manager) should either initiate or ensure are accomplished during the design and building process. Ideally the Owner’s Representative/Project manager is to be the person in charge of managing these tasks listed below.
- Budgets: Create budgets that are realistic at various times during the process in order for the owner to be confident that the project is proceeding within the financial comfort zone.This budget should be comprehensive including all associated costs and wish list.
Budgets ideally are created:
- Early in the conceptual design phase and verifying as the design progresses that the original budget is still realistic.
- Prior to the construction drawings being drawn.
- Prior to construction starting.
- Once a month during the construction. Keep owner apprised of Predicted Final Cost.
- The design team is the clearing house for all design related communication, unless otherwise requested. We don’t want random people making design decisions that may not have the overall design direction in mind.
- Offer possible solutions to problems prior to announcing the problem. Always consult with Design team first, then after agreement, notify owner of the problem with options for solution.
- Consolidate questions (RFI’s) into a list and then communicate these to the appropriate entities with as much lead time as possible. Avoid panic phone calls. Identify which party is responsible for answering each item: Architect, interior designer, owner, contractor.
- Arrange questions to be answered into groups by date needed in order to continue an orderly pricing/ordering/construction process.
- Expect that some answers will come as building takes shape. In a true custom home some selections are best made when the building is taking on character.
- Send weekly updates to design team and owner apprising them of tasks being worked on each current week as well as planned for the following week.
- Plan ahead on critical times for owner and design team to visit the site; such as electrical wiring time, to avoid future surprises and changes.
- Make client feel as much an informed participant in the process as they wish to be.
- Schedule site meetings with all key subs, and if needed designers, during various stages of the job to coordinate their needs and timing.
Update budget and schedule on a monthly basis and share with owners, and if desired, the design team.