Are You Managing Your House Building Team?

Managing the house building team is an integral part of your self build project management.

The best way to get things off on the right track is to ensure that everyone has a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities from the outset.

This must be followed up with the timely provision of information and the necessary resources for work to progress. Effective monitoring and control should keep your build progressing on schedule and within the project parameters.

The most important ingredient for achieving these goals is clear and effective communication!

Communication

As project manager you are the communication hub and need to control the flow of information around the project team whether it be the written communication of design documents and correspondence or verbal instructions and discussions.

Make good communication a priority from your initial meetings and maintain it for the duration of the build.

Regular meetings with team members (even if they are informal conversations whilst walking the job) are important for discussing progress, plans of action and for keeping them and yourself informed and up to date.

Don't forget that 50% of verbal communication is listening.

Significant issues or a complex build may require a more formal meeting schedule and don't forget to follow up important matters with written confirmation.

Roles and Responsibilities

As you select and appoint each member of your house building team, you need to discuss and agree how their work will proceed.

This will include:

• Scope of work - The work they will undertake.

• Time - Start and finish dates, durations, important dates and working hours.

• Materials - Who will provide what and when, storage requirements, removal and disposal of waste materials.

• Equipment - What will be needed, when and who will provide it, access requirements etc.

• Quality - Materials and workmanship.

• Building Regulation Compliance.

• Structural Warranty Compliance.

• Payments - Agree a payment schedule and the conditions that will trigger the release of funds. Discuss any intended retentions.

• Health and Safety - Their responsibilities, site rules and the provision of welfare facilities.

• Insurance.

• Security.

• Provision of information - Do they need more information and when.

Taking the time to discuss, agree and document these issues properly before work starts helps to avoid misunderstandings and disputes down the line.

Recording your arrangements in some form of written agreement or construction contract offers some protection for both parties and provides a good foundation for your relationship with something to refer back to in case of any uncertainty.

You can also use the information to fine-tune your project schedule.

Your Roles and Responsibilities as Project Manager

As project manager it is essential that you deliver on your own responsibilities. By meeting your obligations you will lead by example and help to create a positive and proactive project mentality. Your team will appreciate the good management.

Your roles may include:

• Providing information - Drawings, specifications, details, changes etc.
• Providing materials - As and when necessary.
• Providing equipment - As and when necessary.
• Providing welfare facilities.
• Making payments - As agreed and on time.
• Coordinating and controlling the project team.
• Anything else you have agreed to do.

Controlling Work

To effectively manage your house building team and keep your schedule and costs on track and within the project parameters use the tools and software discussed in our project management section and follow the project management process:

PLAN - IMPLEMENT - MONITOR - CONTROL - COMPLETE - REVIEW

Click on each of the above for more detail.

Don't forget to keep forward planning and good communication in mind at all times.

For tips and information on buying land, design and many other aspects of building you own home please browse the rest of The Self Build Guide.