A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Third Edition (PMBOK Guides)

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Do You Really Need a Contractor For That Home Project?

Some things to consider, how big is the project and does it involve some different trades such as an electrician or a plumber? If so then yes it might be a good idea. A licensed contractor will have subcontractors who do these other trades and will be responsible for their work performance and quality. Another reason may be you don't have the time or just want the job done from start to finish without any hassles. A contractor will also do all the leg work for permits, inspections and keep the job going on a schedule. This does require doing some research on your part and finding a good quality contractor and even then you may end up with a bad experience.

Consider the project carefully. Have a clear vision of the job. I would venture to say most people are on a budget and do want some hands on approach. Hiring a contractor for the whole job often times is quite expensive and you may want to consider a different approach. This will be more work but also may come at a considerable lower cost.

One approach is as simple as talking to a good carpenter. A good carpenter not only can handle the whole building process but a lot of times have a good understanding for the permits and inspections necessary for the job. A carpenter however is generally not licensed or required to be licensed but as a sub contractor are required to carry certain liability insurance and work comp policies and certificates. Ask for some references from this carpenter and be sure to ask for proof of these certificates before hiring a carpenter for your project. Ultimately you are responsible for the building codes and regulations involved in the building process, however it is easily obtainable with a little research.

For the other trades needed for the project it could be as easy as looking in the yellow pages for a company that does this work. Again a little research on the company is advisable and if you are happy with the results then get on their schedule.

Your carpenter may also be able to suggest some people or companies for these trades and at a lower cost. Again check them out.

Is all of this research and responsibility worth it? From a financial stand point, yes it may be, from a time or headache stand point may be not, it depends on where you want your savings to be. There are vast amounts of information out there to answer your questions. Whether you hire a contractor or contract yourself, things don't always go smoothly and unexpected things can happen. Be ready for potential problems and stay positive.

Pat Fisher is a professional carpenter and woodworking craftsman. For more information on finish carpentry and household carpentry projects, visit http://www.finishcarpentryhelp.com and pick up your free eBook.

You Can Increase Contract Team Efficiency & Deliver Real Savings on Your Project!

In this article (the 2nd in a series highlighting the compelling benefits that you'll enjoy when you apply certain workplace management solutions) you will discover how people, like you, in the construction industry, are saving time and money - as a result of being more effective - right now.

How? By using proven tools and methods to effectively overcome the challenges that come with subcontractors.>

Were you aware of the shift in the dynamics of construction projects in recent years? Perhaps you already understand that most main contractors, instead of undertaking to do most of the work themselves, have become more like managing contractors - something akin to project management companies.

Think about it: Is it not unusual for a main contractor to have 5 to 10 salaried employees on site overseeing multiple contractors with 500+ operatives? Of course, this approach provides benefits to main contractors, including:

oYou don't have to deal with industrial relations issues.

oYou don't have to deal with own labour variables by paying the subcontractor a fixed price for work.

oYou can deliver quality as a result of using skilled specialists (e.g., groundworks, mainframe, mechanical and electrical).

Unfortunately, this approach also brings the main contractor challenges, including:

oManaging subcontractor attendance on site.

oManaging subcontractor health & safety.

oManaging and sharing project documentation.

oDealing with subcontractor "claims" for additional payment due to unforeseen project issues.

You may be wondering how you can overcome these challenges or deal with them more effectively. And that's a good thing to wonder... and to wonder what is important about that... what difference will it make when you do overcome these challenges and deal with them more effectively? How valuable would that difference be to you?

You'll be happy to know that recent technology gives you what you need to overcome and effectively deal with each of the challenges listed above. I wonder if you can imagine how much more you can focus on the project at hand (and not on managing endless folders of raw data) once you have put the right technology to work for you. If this appeals to you, you'll want to know about the two key technological developments as well as the solutions they offer.

Two Key Technological Developments:

1)Broadband Availability - Over the years as broadband coverage has grown and continues to grow significantly, so has your ability to have internet (datacards, wireless and satellite broadband) access on site.

2)Internet as a Shared Network - Not only can the internet be used in the same way as a traditional internal network drive, it also has the ability to be used by multiple organisations in uploading and sharing and viewing data in a secure environment. (And any part of it you want to be protected can be easily with a password.)

Solutions Available to You Now:

1)Managing Subcontractor Attendance - Solutions include, swipe/prox-imity cards, key fobs, finger, palm and facial biometrics. Biometrics improves the integrity of attendance information on site by eliminating "buddy punching". You can also take advantage of mobile enabled biometric solutions which operate free from telephone lines or broadband. On site from day one these "plug-n-play" options provide you with a robust solution. Couple this with advancements in web-based technology and it's possible to view attendance by operatives / by organisation / by site in real time from any internet-accessible location. This transparent view of hours worked by subcontractor organisation gives you more accurate information (re: contractor claims, future project pricing, etc.) as well as a live register of who is on site in the event of an evacuation.

2)Managing Subcontractor Health & Safety - If you're a managing contractor then you already know that one of your biggest challenges is accurately tracking subcontractor Health & Safety documentation across multiple sites! The type of information that needs to be tracked includes:

oCompany Health & Safety statement

oEmployers Liability Insurance

oPublic Liability Insurance

oSite specific risk assessments

oSite specific method statements

oOperative skills (e.g. CSCS cards)

Web-based technology allows subcontractors to upload required documentation remotely into a project through username/password access. The main contractor can easily track subcontractor organisations and retrieve any outstanding information.

2)Managing Subcontractor Project Documentation> - The contract team can share documentation securely online. Features such as version control, controlled access by organisation etc., ensure that information can be shared easily among all selected organisations meaning that the most accurate information is viewable at all times. By taking the decision to set up a system (see #1 above) you get an accurate point of reference to support claims for additional payments, stage payments or resources disputes across sites.

If you read the last article, you'll already have a good idea of just how much time and money you can save by choosing to increase your efficiency. Why is that? Because this puts control of the project firmly back in the hands of the main contractor - back in your hands where it belongs - improving your effectiveness, overall efficiency, allowing more time to be spent on valuable activities rather than administration-based activity.

What would you do with extra time? Extra money? Less stress and hassle?

Now that you are aware that ~

osubcontractors can be managed more efficiently and accurately

othe technology is available to you

othe technology is proven in the construction sector

With increasing competition pushing down pricing, when now would be a good time to... increase project and contract team efficiency... deliver excellent projects with time savings... increase your profitability...

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. In future articles we will deal with subjects concerning time leakage, health & safety, traceability, budgeting and cost management.

Vincent Lynch
Donseed Ltd

5 Questions To Ask Before Starting Any Home Improvement Project

1. What experience does your contractor have with this type of project?

How much experience does the home improvement contractor have in doing projects like yours? Does s/he specialize in this type of project, or will s/he be using your home as a learning project? Typically, contractors who have done several projects like yours will have a better idea of the actual costs and production issues involved in your project. Remember, however, that every remodeling project is a little different, and it is doubtful that any contractor has ever done a job EXACTLY like yours.

2. Who will be doing the actual work?

Will the individual you're talking to be doing the work himself, or will they be using subcontractors or employees? Each scenario has its own advantages and disadvantages, but make sure you know what to expect on your job. Who will you ask questions once the project begins? Should you talk to the subcontractors, a jobsite manager, or the owner of the business? It is very important you have one person who will consistently answer your questions and not give you the run around.

3. What happens if changes are required to the initial bid?

What is the contractors' process for making changes in the middle of the project? Most times you would like to avoid making changes mid-project but there can be unforeseen obstacles that arrive and it is good to know ahead of time how your contractor will deal with those obstacles. Most contractors use some sort of change order form that details the exact work and cost involved in changes once work has begun.

4. Am I prepared to be flexible when the unexpected arises?

Invariably, every job has something that wasn't planned on come up. Delays due to weather, unforeseen conditions which present themselves once walls are torn down, changes to design or material choices, and problems with employees or subcontractors can all upset the planned flow of the project. Are you prepared to be flexible and work with your contractor to find solutions when these problems arise?

5. How do I feel about working with this contractor?

What is your gut feeling on working with this individual? Do you trust him or her? How do you feel about their design ideas as compared to your own? Can you communicate openly and clearly with this person? If it's a remodeling project, how do you feel about this person being in your house for several days or weeks at a time often when you are not home? This is a really important factor to consider if you don't trust this person don't hire them.

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.reliableremodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.