Keep Your New York City Commercial Construction Project on Track with These Tips From a Construction Management Company
Construction on a commercial property in a major city is always challenging, but it doesn’t need to be a project that fills you with stress. Good project management is key. Peace of mind comes from an experienced general contractor and a qualified project manager who will handle all aspects of the project with your approval. Before signing on the dotted line, let’s cover how you can keep your New York City commercial construction project on track with these tips from a construction management company.
Set Deadlines and Expectations
Before the project starts, set clear deadlines and expectations and thoroughly lay them out in your contract. The deadline is more than an arbitrary date - although the company will do its best to meet your needs in terms of opening a business, for example. With many moving parts involved, the project manager will need to juggle the schedules of subcontractors, availability of materials, and factor in potential delays such as weather, materials shortages, or even inspection delays. This way, you’ll be prepared for what to expect and not be left wondering why a certain phase seems to be moving along glacially while the previous phase went quickly.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
It’s pretty much a given that you’re not an expert in commercial property construction and you probably don’t have a full understanding of all pieces of the grand puzzle. That’s alright because a project manager will have the answers to every question you have about the construction process. You can tap into their expertise to gain a better understanding of where the project is at any given time. But this alone won’t guarantee that the project will be successful. You have to be upfront about your questions and concerns so that they can be addressed in real time rather than as a very expensive change order later in the process.
Maintain Open Communication
There should be no point before, during, and even after the project in which your project manager isn’t open to quick and comprehensive communication. You should expect a response from your construction company within one business day any time you have questions or concerns about your project. However, it’s a two way street. You need to make sure to be reachable at any point during the project as well, or at least have a subordinate or partner to keep the lines of communication open so that you can make important decisions quickly.
Hold Regular On-Site Meetings
There should be several meetings per month, ideally once a week, where you and the construction management team get together at the site and talk about the project. During this time, you should get a comprehensive update of how the project is moving along, including successes and drawbacks. These meetings should start early in the design process and continue until the site is delivered. A lapse in these meetings could end up as added costs and project delays.
Expect the Unexpected
Most construction projects develop unexpected complications. Since it’s impossible to predict accidents and setbacks, it’s important to allow for recovery time. In the case that the project goes behind schedule, construction equipment or the building is damaged, or, worst of all, someone is injured, there needs to be clauses in your contract specifying how to move forward. Importantly, make sure the construction company’s insurance will cover all accidents and setbacks so you’re not on the hook. There’s nothing worse than covering the financial fallout for an accident on your property because of the lack of insurance. As well, a good project manager will keep the project moving along through careful scheduling and contingency plans.
Related: Top 7 Questions to Ask a Commercial Builder and Renovation Contractor for Your New York City Project