PROJECT MANAGEMENT
What is a project manager and why should you consider hiring one? Most people don't have the luxury of taking several months off from their job to manage their building work full time - or they don't want the stress! A project manager acts as your agent on site throughout the project. I organise logistics, schedule the builders, help you source fixtures and fittings (and find the right people to install them), check that the work is being done to a high standard, and keep you updated on progress.
"My goal is for you to enjoy all the excitement of achieving your dream home, without having any of the stress that normally goes hand-in-hand with building works." -Marie
Good Planning
Before your building work begins, I will take the time to get to know you and your project. We will meet to talk through all of the details and I will help you through all of the decisions that still need to be made.
Many people feel overwhelmed by the level of detailed decision-making that goes into any building project - from the height of skirting boards, to the colour temperature of downlights - but I aim to make the process as painless as possible. By knowing what questions to ask at the start of a project, I can save you the last-minute panic of having the builders ring you in the middle of a work day because they need an answer on grout colour in the next five minutes!
Problem Solving
I'll check over your plans and do my best to head off any potential problems right from the start. The last thing you want is for the builders to turn up, only to discover that some element of your design cannot be built without huge extra costs or delays. Whether it's a wall that will require steel work to knock down, a grand piano that won't be able to get through the door once the room is built, or a fuse board that's sitting right where the new shower is meant to go, I can tackle these issues from day one, incorporating them into the plans and saving you time, money and loads of stress.
"Marie was the project manager for the internal reconfiguration of the upstairs to our house. We were very pleased with the way this project was handled from start to finish. Marie's communication skills and attention to detail meant that we were kept well informed of progress and ensured the work was completed to the highest standard. I would highly recommend Marie's services." -Mr & Mrs D.
Advocacy
Throughout the build I will be your advocate on-site, communicating your vision and ensuring all work is completed to a high standard. By having one point-person on site who knows the entire build from start to finish, I can ensure that the builders are working together at every stage to deliver your ultimate vision.
I provide oversight throughout the build, checking the quality of work and making sure everything is done the way you expect it to be.
Attention to Detail
Because I know where you eventually plan to hang the mirror and loo roll holder in your new ensuite, I can ask the carpenter to add extra noggins at the right heights when he builds the studwork, so that you'll have something to fix into. If I know that you hope to buy a bigger bed next year, I'll make sure the electrician spaces your bedside sockets far enough apart that they won't get lost behind the wider headboard. These are the small, but important, details that often fall through the cracks of a large build project unless there is someone on site looking out for your interests.
Organisation & Logistics
If you've already hired your builders, I will liaise with them to organise the schedule for your build and ensure everyone is on the same page. If you haven't hired anyone yet, I can provide recommendations and help you source the right people to create your new home.
Whether you plan to live on-site or move out for the construction phase, we will work together to create a plan for your build that will minimise disruption and dust, and ensure you can still get on with your day-to-day life as painlessly as possible.
Partnership
This is your project and you can be involved as much or as little as you would like. If you'd prefer to go on holiday for the duration and pretend the building works aren't happening, that is completely fine! You can trust me to handle everything, and return home to a clean and finished new home.
If you'd like to be part of the process, I will keep you updated every step of the way. I can send you regular progress photos, and we can walk through the site together at each stage of the build to get a feel for the new space and discuss next steps.
Is my project too small?
Whether it's a downstairs loo or a whole new house, my goal is to save you time, money and stress. A Project Manager doesn't have to cost the earth, and most people feel that the many benefits far outweigh the small investment. I love helping people improve their homes - both the big transformations and the small adjustments - and my fees are always tailored to the size of the project. Get in touch for a no-obligation chat. I'd love to hear about your project and discuss the ways I can help turn your plans into reality!