Building Project Manager/Contractor

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Idilka

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Hi

I have a full planning for a large detached. Had a couple of quotes from local contractors (waiting for more quotes) for Labour only. The difference between two is £40k. Huge difference so far but will wait to see what others quotessay. Even the lowest quotes could be reduced so I say.

Anyway, I don't have any diy/building experience. However, in my 9 to 5 job I have project management experience (clinical systems).

I would like to project manage my build so that I can get experience to become a building contractor.

How does this sound to you professionals? Am I overdoing it, just being silly? Would one build be sufficient to become a building contractor. Have an outline to further develop 2 pairs of semis but that's future plan.

Thanks
 
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Is this a massive wind up?


How can you project mange a building job when you don't even have DIY experience?
Could a building project manager do your PM job without any business specific training?
You have no, even DIY, experience, but you are convinced the price should be lower.
I imagine that the worst building PM, is one that is busy during the day doing a "proper" job.

As a PM yourself, you should have more respect for other jobs/trades. Employ an experienced building PM, and if you wish to "get into it", then watch and learn. Insist on regular meetings, but bear in mind that they probably do not work evenings, copies of contracts and procurement paperwork. Make sure you understand and agree the scope of the arrangement.

One self build does not a building contractor make .
 
you can be a PM without knowledge or experience of whatever the project is doing. You can be a PM charged out at thousands a day by the consultancy scammers. But you can't be a good, effective or successful one.

Old hands gain much pleasure and entertainment by asking Ernest Young consultants "so when did you last do one of these?"
 
Thanks, this is exactly the comments/advice I was after.
I do respect the specialists trades including PM. However, I thought PMs would be phoning and instructing subcontractors. I could do that e.g. hiring a bricklayer, an electrician, roofer, etc. The building regulation officer will tell us if something is not in accordance with building regulations.

Thanks
 
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"What do you want me to do about this, guv?"

"Can't build the walls yet, you haven't ordered the slab to be laid"

"Can't lay the slab yet, you haven't had it excavated"

"Can't excavate the slab yet, you haven't had it marked out"

"Can't mark out the slab yet, you haven't done the utilities drawings"

Have you got the skills and experience to draw your critical path and your dependencies? Who is going to tell you the things that might go wrong if you don't do (something)?

Once you've seen all the things that can go wrong, and learned how to deal with them, you can start forestalling them.

You can't learn to play a piano without playing one. You can't learn to ride a bike from a book. You can't learn to win at Wimbledon by playing darts.
 
Thanks JohnD

I get your point. Would be nice if there was a experienced construction project manager to guide me. Could find someone as a freelance(?).
Obviously, there would be a project plan (a list of tasks and timescale) but what do you do if there's something unexpected? Would need someone for advice then.
 
I don't know what it costs to hire a good housebuilding PM. Might be £500/day. Might be £1k. Might be something different. If they're any good they could be working on the build of 50 houses. You might get a part-timer or semi-retired. There are self-build groups, I've known people who built a street of houses with minimal professional help, but they needed a few old hands..
 
Thanks JohnD

I didn't think about part time or retired PM. Not only would a retired PM would have a lot of experience but should also cost less. Just need to find someone.
Also, would get a few quotes from professional PM just to see how much they cost. £500 a day is too much.
Thanks for your replies.
 
[QUOTE="Idilka, post: 3973291, membe]

The building regulation officer will tell us if something is not in accordance with building regulations.

Thanks[/QUOTE]
As one once said to me, they are there to check that what is done is correct, not to tell you WHAT to do.
By which time uou very spent a packet getting it wrong.

And I would not put a weeks wages on them knowing much anyway.
 
Thanks for reply FiremanT

That would be expensive. I need to do my research before hand. I'm trying to get some quotes from sub contractors. Also, I've contacted couple of companies in regards to quote for complete development.

I will compare the costs that I come up with and costs for complete development from a third company. No doubt they will charge more but if a lot more 10s of thousands more then I'll be very tempted to go my way.
 
I forgot to mention that. I did renovate a full house, including dormers, chimney breast removal, full plastering, rewiring and windows. However, it was only one builder (contractor) who did the complete work and they sub contracted where necessary.
 
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