Project Manager for House Renovation -- Essential?

One of our readers is planning a massive renovation of a three-story Williamsburg townhouse. Does he need to hire a project manager in addition to the general contractor, or can he get by without one?

Brownstoner reader brooklynbrad writes:

My husband and I have had lots of experience over the years renovating the rental income apartments we’ve owned in Detroit and Asbury Park, NJ, as well as doing a combination of two small apartments to create our former home on West 72nd Street, so we’re very familiar with the process of renovating. But now that we own a 3-story town house in Williamsburg and are planning to add a 4th floor and create a ground floor rental unit and 3-floor owners triplex, this will easily be the biggest and most expensive project we’ve ever taken on, and frankly, it’s rather daunting. An architect friend suggested that one possible solution to consider is hiring an experienced project manager to work with us a few hours a week to oversee the general contractor, the schedule, the billing and do regular site visits, since his/her experience in this type of project would be much greater than ours, and would help expedite and keep costs under control. I’ve never heard of such a position and am intrigued by the idea. Have any of you ever had someone like this on your renovations? If so, what are their typical duties, what do they cost when working part time for you, and has it been beneficial to your schedule and budget?

Have you ever hired a project manager for a renovation project? Is it essential? Chime in over in the original Forum post.

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What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. I’m a young Architect working on my first project in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

    Based on my experience, a great General Contractor and a good Architect is all that is needed. However, hiring a Project Manager/Consultant is a key. Working as a liaison between everyone involved in the project. The Owner, General Contractor, and Architect must work together. The Project Managers main job is to ensure seamless communication/ideas between all parties to keep the project moving along.

    The Project Manager works in favor of the Owner/Developer. Ensuring things like excess materials are not purchased, the right materials are shipped, timelines are developed, deadlines are reviewed and met, general safety on the project, the craftsmanship of the work, managing the actual workers, time/payroll, permits, ect.

    Overall, you wont regret a bringing on a Project Manager. They remain out of the way, keep things organized, keep the project moving along, and can save you money. They just understand how to speak to everyone involved which is very important.

    During a renovation, everyone wants to be heard. Everything thinks they know best. Let the Project Manager handle that.