In any project that involves a lot of time, manpower, and resources, there should be a manager that makes sure that everything is working well. It’s their job to ensure that the whole operation of their project is a well-oiled machine.
But in small construction projects, construction management is often neglected. So we must always remember that construction projects are a part of the business. And businesses work well when there are proper job assignments. Thus, having a proper construction manager for any project is a smart business practice. Here are the essential things that construction management brings.
Quality Tools, Equipment and Supplies
Contractors possess vast knowledge and skills essential to construction projects. But they can’t fully harness their knowledge and skills if they’re not properly equipped with the right tools, machines, and supplies. If they need a diamond cup wheel to grind concrete and other hard materials, they should have one. If they need a forklift to help them transport some heavy materials, they should use one.
So their tools, equipment, and supplies should always be ready when they need them to accomplish the project. And it’s the job of the construction manager to gather such things. It’s also their job to make sure that such needs are in top shape.
Dedication to the Planned Budget
Going over the budget is one of the most popular hurdles that construction projects face. Actually, it’s a common and major issue that most projects experience. But, as mentioned before, construction projects are part of the business. And it’s sensible for any business to make sure that they always stick to the budget.
So it’s the construction manager’s responsibility to make sure that the project is always well within the budget. The tricky part here is that they need to find the balance between fulfilling the client’s wishes and making sure that they don’t go overboard with the expenses. If the client wishes to have marble countertops for their home’s bathroom vanity, then the construction manager, in collaboration with the contractor, would have to find the perfect marble material that’s still very much affordable.
Sticking to the budget is a common business practice. But, oftentimes, it’s a tall order. But that’s what construction managers are for. They’re the ones who are skilled and experienced in dealing with such a challenge.
Maintained Schedule and Coordination
Another common issue in construction projects is sticking to the schedule. Any construction project will always, at one point or another, run into some delays. Many factors affect this. Some are avoidable, such as a decline in productivity on some days during the project’s run. Some are completely unavoidable, such as extreme weather phenomena. No one can expect a construction project to go on with business as usual if there’s a storm going on.
This is where construction managers come in. It’s their job to plan the schedule and make adjustments as they go along. The goal is to make sure that they will always meet their deadline with the client. And a huge part of managing the schedule is making sure that their coordination with the contractors and the higher-ups are always maintained.
Many people think that a project such as renovating a house is hardly the same as constructing a skyscraper. Thus, there’s no need for a proper construction manager. And sometimes, the job is even passed on to the contractor. This isn’t right because the contractors are the builders. They aren’t the planners and managers of the project. Their attention and effort should be dedicated to the actual building of the project.
But no, that’s not true. Construction managers are there to make sure that the construction project will never fail.
