DIY project management

Handling your own project management can save you a significant amount, but be aware that this saving is achieved by eliminating the builder’s traditional margin, and therefore responsibility, for managing the project properly.

By taking on the project manager role yourself, you take on all the responsibilities traditionally entrusted to the head contractor, without the benefit of his or her experience. You are now personally responsible for dealing with council, ensuring all costs are on track to meet your budget, sourcing materials and reliable subcontractors, and co-ordinating everything and everyone so that everything needed comes together on site at exactly the right times and in exactly the right sequence.

It also includes understanding in depth what each subcontractor does and ensuring the quality of work is maintained and will not adversely impact other trades; ensuring that the consented design drawings and specification are being exactly adhered to; arranging building inspector and professional (architect and engineer) visits at the appropriate times; administering all progress payments; dealing with all the myriad issues that come up; and keeping good records. And all in compliance with your various subcontract agreements, council requirements, bank requirements, and the law.

If anything goes expensively wrong, blaming your contractors, suppliers or consultants will not help if the issue arose because you, in your inexperience, made a wrong decision or failed to anticipate something that a professional project manager would have known.

In other words, you are paying for any saving you make this way through significantly increased risk and stress.

Administering a project can also take longer than you might expect, potentially impacting your day job while the build is under way.

For many, the peace of mind that comes with handing things over to a professional who is responsible for achieving a good standard at a contractually agreed price, is worth more than any potential saving.

That said, some homeowners can and do take on this DIY project manager role, often several times with successive homes. A helpful architect and some experienced and tolerant tradespeople you trust can make all the difference if you decide to take this on.