Top Reasons to Hire a Project Manager for Interior Fit-outs
You’ve made the commitment to transform your business space, whether it’s an office, shop, store or restaurant, into the place of your dreams. Yet, managing all of the components of an interior renovation or interior fit out may be out of your wheelhouse, or perhaps you don’t have enough time to tackle it internally. Did you know that there are experts ready to help, thereby allowing you to focus on what matters most — making your business successful? This may be the perfect time to bring in a professional project manager (PM).
PMs will benefit you by:
- Leveraging experienced and dedicated resources without increasing overhead
- Saving time so you can focus on what you do best and grow your business
- Reducing headaches and minimizing unpleasant surprises
- Streamlining occupancy so you can generate revenue quicker
- Enhancing your reputation with clients and colleagues
What can a Project Manager do for you? Top Reasons to Hire One
Project managers serve as your advocate whether leasing or purchasing a small space or entire building. They act as the leader in planning, controlling, executing and closing each fit out or renovation. PMs can manage multiple projects, too, which is especially useful if you are expanding rapidly. They dedicate time and apply experience to ensure maximum achievement of business goals and real estate results while minimizing a myriad of related risks. And sometimes an outsider can better handle situations where internal politics are difficult.
PMs manage the details. They are adept at identifying and balancing the various components, players, issues and decisions needed among the project demands. They proactively pull everything together to maximize outcomes in the shortest period of time. PMs coordinate, communicate and integrate many items into one project.
Even before you select a site, they can offer leasing or acquisition diligence support. PMs investigate short-listed locations and spaces to evaluate the physical and technical parameters against your business criteria and priorities. They help identify and qualify design, construction and consultant team members while developing reliable project budgets and schedules used to measure progress.
When it comes to design and permitting oversight, PMs can assist in a number of ways. This includes negotiating architect and consultant agreements and facilitating calls and meetings to keep all those decisions on track. Plus, they oversee the design process and document preparation so that required approvals and permits can be obtained and sound pricing established.
A prime area that PMs excel is the actual management of the renovation or interior fit out. This phase starts with qualifying, soliciting proposals from, and then negotiating agreements with each contractor. Then, PMs oversee the procurement, construction and installation of materials and equipment on the site to make sure that the work is performed at the expected quality, done on time, challenges resolved and changes controlled to stay within budget. If a project is taking place in an occupied suite or building, they will be heavily involved in coordinating logistics to minimize impacts to the ongoing business of your company and those of your neighbors.
As the work nears completion, PMs will coordinate furniture, telephone and data systems as well as signage and artwork installations that round out prepping your facility for use. They can even coordinate the relocation of your staff and supplies into their new home. Lastly, they make sure every punch list item is resolved, warranties put in place, reference materials documented, and every contract closed. Once the job is done, you will be ready to get down to business with many less headaches.
How do you find the best PM to fit your needs?
It is obviously important to find the right project manager. So, evaluate the PM to ensure that they have the right knowledge and experience to tackle the project to your satisfaction. Ask the following questions:
- Do they have technical and managerial acumen to successfully deliver the job?
- Do they have advanced education and certification?
- Will they provide just one person or a team?
- Do they ask questions and actively listen to concerns?
- Will they honestly advise you and prevent surprises?
Check out their references, but don’t forgot to follow your instincts on whether the PM’s personality and communication style will be complementary to how your organization does business.
Engaging that good project manager will let you sleep at night feeling excited rather than overwhelmed by your next interior fit out or renovation project.
For more information on project management and how the professionals at Real Projectives® can help you acquire and renovate your space or building, give us a call at 888.357.7342.
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