Can I manage my own build?
Mike Hardwick looks at the pros and cons of taking on the role of project manager for your self build
Using a SIPs build system could be an easy way for you to manage the scheme with minimal risk
Most people that I meet who are intending to start their self build journey are doing so with finite financial resources. No one has a magic money tree. They want to maximise the bang for their buck by getting the optimal home in terms of size, quality and performance, which means wringing every last penny out of the budget. While there are plenty of professional project managers out there, they don’t come cheap. Hiring one can take a sizeable chunk out of the pot – money that could be used elsewhere. It’s hardly surprising, then, that would-be self builders consider assuming this role themselves. But is this a sensible course of action? This month, I’ll examine what is involved in managing your own bespoke scheme and if it’s right for you.
Understanding risk
The fundamental issue behind taking on the management of your own build is the transfer of risk. If you hire someone else to build your home or oversee the process, then they are taking on much of the financial risk. Say you have agreed a fixed-price contract and it all goes wrong, you would expect the project manager to rectify the issue and even cover the cost of remedial action.