Overseeing the day-to-day coordination of your own project isn’t a job for the faint hearted, so it might be best to hire in a professional, says Andy Butchers from Build-Zone Survey Services

Once planning and building control approval have gone through on your scheme, someone needs to oversee the work as it progresses on site. This is the project manager (PM), who will be there to handle any issues that crop up along the way, ensuring the build is produced on time and to the quality expected. Here, I’ll be taking a look at what being the PM involves and the risks of doing it all yourself.

What is project management?

PMs are there to oversee/procure a building within the budget and time parameters set. This means that the role involves general management, trouble-shooting, problem solving and diplomacy, plus it requires an in-depth knowledge of building practices and the built environment. The PM will oversee health and safety on site, cost control, contracts and time management; all requiring significant commitment, often equating to a full time job. All these responsibilities also demand a good knowledge of finance and construction, which is where self builders taking on the role themselves can sometimes struggle.