Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Sep 14, 2013 6:35 pm Hi there, We are in Melbourne's north east and are looking to build a custom home on a sloping block. The earthworks and footings along with services have been done by the previous owner. We have ourselves a great Architect that has so far drawn up concept drawings and is about ready to submit to council. So here we stand, due to previous works we understand we will be owner builders. The question I have is, do we attempt this challenge ourselves or do we get ourselves a project manager? Our Architect has offered to manage the project with us but I don't feel this would be a great idea. An independent PM would make more sense. We know the project will be a challenge. Any advise would be appreciated,please. Re: Project Manager or not??? 2Sep 14, 2013 6:50 pm Do you have the time and energy to dedicate to managing it yourselves? With the project manager you get access to their contacts and expertise. But it is another relationship to manage. Re: Project Manager or not??? 3Sep 26, 2013 8:58 pm ChargerWA Do you have the time and energy to dedicate to managing it yourselves? With the project manager you get access to their contacts and expertise. But it is another relationship to manage. I agree 100 percent. Managing a jobsite is a big time commitment. Everything from coordinating tradies, interpreting plans and setting out, to organising deliveries will take alot out of you. I have managed quite a few OB builds over the years, all have turned out very well and nearly all my OB clients have said they could not have managed by themselves. One piece of advice from me: Choose a carpenter who will do the frame/lock-up/fixing. Not just 1 out of the 3. Good luck!!! The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten Re: Project Manager or not??? 4Sep 27, 2013 12:58 am cuz ChargerWA Do you have the time and energy to dedicate to managing it yourselves? With the project manager you get access to their contacts and expertise. But it is another relationship to manage. I agree 100 percent. Managing a jobsite is a big time commitment. Everything from coordinating tradies, interpreting plans and setting out, to organising deliveries will take alot out of you. I have managed quite a few OB builds over the years, all have turned out very well and nearly all my OB clients have said they could not have managed by themselves. One piece of advice from me: Choose a carpenter who will do the frame/lock-up/fixing. Not just 1 out of the 3. Good luck!!! I managed myself, not that difficult if you can interpret plans and are analytical but is time consuming. Fortunately I used tradies that were referred to me, so didn't have any major issues with the workers themselves. Good advice, I used one carpenter who did framing, lockup and fixing. That way they can't blame the previous carpenter for shoody finishes when it comes to the fixing stage.. Re: Project Manager or not??? 5Sep 27, 2013 7:03 am Hi sam10 If you are going to PM yourself it will take time and effort but is a great learning curve and a great experience however you will need expert assistance at various stages. Expert assistance is available and you can PM or put inquiry through my web site if interested. If you are simply going to trust tradies you will be taking a big risk and it could cost you plenty. Project Management is about control and trust is no substitute for knowledge and monitoring. I am (just freshly out of a VCAT hearing) about to post my blog about OB who got hit $ 37,000 in VCAT for damages due to defective building work. OB's defence was that he trusted tradies and all work had passed council inspections. Well, that was no defence against breach of warranties. I was expert witness for the purchaser of his property and have prepared defect report and cost to rectify. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Project Manager or not??? 6Sep 27, 2013 7:57 am JB1 I managed myself, not that difficult if you can interpret plans and are analytical but is time consuming. Fortunately I used tradies that were referred to me, so didn't have any major issues with the workers themselves. Good advice, I used one carpenter who did framing, lockup and fixing. That way they can't blame the previous carpenter for shoody finishes when it comes to the fixing stage.. Exactly. I like the bit about tradies referrals too. Ask around friends/family and see who comes recommended. Don't stop there tho, ask to see some of their work too. The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten Re: Project Manager or not??? 7Sep 27, 2013 9:43 am cuz JB1 I managed myself, not that difficult if you can interpret plans and are analytical but is time consuming. Fortunately I used tradies that were referred to me, so didn't have any major issues with the workers themselves. Good advice, I used one carpenter who did framing, lockup and fixing. That way they can't blame the previous carpenter for shoody finishes when it comes to the fixing stage.. Exactly. I like the bit about tradies referrals too. Ask around friends/family and see who comes recommended. Don't stop there tho, ask to see some of their work too. If your tradie does good work, and you trust them, they can also be a good source of referrals. My other rule is if the tradie doesn't turn up or return calls for the quote, then don't bother chasing them up. Imagine chasing them up after for rework after you paid them. Re: Project Manager or not??? 8Sep 27, 2013 9:11 pm Referrals are good starting point and whilst it is probable you will get a good job there are no guarantees. Therefore you must always be in control. I have had concreter do a great job on my home but a poor job on my daughter's home. I have employed many good tradies for years and then all of a sudden one of them starts missing things and quality goes down. Then you find they have family problems and have dropped the ball, the mind is not on the job. If you are not on the ball it may cost you plenty, it has nothing to do with trust and all to do with project control. If you have negotiated a lower price (as most people do), how you are now going to trust tradie to do his best and go the extra mile for you if you have just lowered his asking price? Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Project Manager or not??? 9Oct 02, 2013 5:39 pm I think that's what it all comes down to: can you source contractors that 1) can do a good job; and 2) are motivated to do a good (and timely!) job for you. If you're not a builder, a lot of contractors won't prioritise you, as you aren't a return client. Sure, you can save PM fees, but I've learnt the hard way that relying on contractors can be a sketchy business, unless you're in the business My storybook home build: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=57987 If you need to pay for a project manager you would be well advised to just engage a builder who would take full responsibility for the build. As opposed to you OB where… 5 15069 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair That laser level looks lovely! 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