That’s it, it’s decided, you’re starting to build your house! However, before moving into your future cozy nest, you must prepare your project so that everything goes off without a hitch. Only here, where to start? How to find the craftsmen to build your house? And finally, how can you follow the progress of your site? Don’t panic, the project manager is there for you.
Let’s see together who he is and the support he offers.
Definition of project manager: what is his function?
The project manager is a person responsible for monitoring the progress of your construction or renovation project (extension of part of your home, for example).
He can be independent or even work within a technical design office.
As a general rule, the function of project manager is exercised by an architect, a developer or the building company that will carry out your work.
The project manager can intervene upstream of your project, that is to say before the start of the work, to provide you with the best possible support.
Thus, if the latter is an architect, he participates in:
- drawing up plans for your future home, whether construction or renovation;
- the filing of the building permit with the competent administration.
Following this, the project manager, regardless of his professional field, will take care of the total management of your project. Therefore, the contractor is required:
- to analyze the costs and the time of the works
- to find the craftsmen or companies of the various trades who will participate in the realization of the site;
- to follow the evolution of the construction site in order to respect the deadlines;
- organize site monitoring meetings with you and the craftsmen;
- to control the quality and the respect of the specifications before the delivery of the construction site with handing over of the keys.
In conclusion, the project manager is an important player in the building sector, whether for construction or renovation work. He is the conductor of your project so that it is carried out without false note.
Is it mandatory to go through a contractor?
According to the law, the intervention of a project manager for construction or renovation work is not compulsory. If you want to manage the evolution of your project yourself and ensure coordination between the different craftsmen, it is quite possible.
On the other hand, the law is very clear on one point: since March 2017, if the floor of your future home exceeds 150 m², the intervention of an architect is mandatory.
Point important : it is not because you call on an architect to draw up your house plans that you are obliged to sign a project management contract with him. It’s up to you. Be aware, however, that, although it has a cost, being accompanied by a project manager on a construction project offers significant comfort and allows you to be more serene about monitoring the site.
What is the cost of the intervention of a project manager?
The project manager acts after the conclusion of a contract. Although not regulated, it must be clear, precise on the services offered and on the documents that it must provide, in particular from an insurance point of view. Indeed, as project manager, the latter must have in his possession:
- civil liability: in the event of bodily injury or material damage that could be caused to a person following the construction work;
- a ten-year guarantee: in the event of damage or poor workmanship noted on the construction or the extension work, after the keys to the accommodation have been handed over.
Thus, on the contract presented by the project manager, it will be necessary to show:
- the services that will be provided;
- the quotes of the various craftsmen or companies contacted;
- a timetable on the supposed state of progress of the work;
- the fees of the project manager as well as the amount of work carried out by the contractors.
The contractor’s fees are not regulated. From one firm to another, the amount differs. However, it can be mentioned that the fees most often correspond to a percentage of the overall amount of the construction or renovation project.
On average, the percentage retained is between 6 and 12% of the total amount of the works, depending on whether the mission has been carried out since the start of the project or only for the management of the site and the works.