Another very important stage of construction is the selection of a construction manager. This specialist is responsible for ensuring that the process runs safely and in accordance with the project. For this reason, it is important to consider its choice already at the project planning stage. Don’t be guided only by costs, because “forced” savings may bring more harm than benefits.
How to choose a good construction manager?
Choosing a construction manager is a very important activity, so it should not be undertaken lightly. It is best to look for a specialist based on a recommendation or opinion about his work. The price of services should not be a determinant, because the help of a proven and experienced construction manager must cost money. Savings may cause the quality of work to significantly decrease.
The construction manager should be the person to whom the investor can contact with all doubts. What other features should make it stand out? In addition to knowledge and experience, it is worth having the construction manager make reliable calculations, e.g. regarding insulation. The specialist to whom you entrust your construction must also be available and, if possible, live close to the investment location. The construction manager should be honest and provide all information about the construction site on an ongoing basis, including any problems.
When it comes to construction work itself, it is best for the construction manager to contact all subcontractors. He should systematically complete the construction log, supervise the work of construction workers and share previously gained experience. Only in this way it is possible to implement the full investment plan on time and ensure high-quality construction.
Construction site safety – responsibility
The construction requires a number of efforts to ensure safety on the site. The investment must be carried out in accordance with standards that will enable its subsequent stages to be created efficiently and without risk. Safety at the construction site concerns both employees and the construction manager, as well as investors and bystanders. Additionally, protection should be provided for materials and equipment that may be a tempting target for thieves. Unfortunately, accidents on construction sites are a serious problem in Poland. Smaller construction sites that are most vulnerable to violations are not as well supervised as large investments.
The participants in the construction process are primarily responsible for ensuring safety on the construction site. The construction manager is responsible for supervising the progress of the works, and his responsibilities also include preparing a health and safety plan in the event that more than 20 employees will work on the construction site, the work will last longer than 30 days, and the work is very labor-intensive. Therefore, the requirement does not usually apply to single-family houses, but meeting it is considered good practice that helps maintain safety on construction sites. Even if no formal BIOZ will be prepared for a specific investment, it is worth having the construction manager collect the most important safety aspects of a given construction site and, on this basis, establish generally applicable regulations and indicate to the investor what personal protective equipment will be necessary.
If the construction manager notices irregularities, he should immediately take action to eliminate them. His duties include taking over the construction site, ordering the erection of a fence and installation of security measures, and confirming the installation of scaffolding. The construction manager confirms the fulfillment of these duties by making an entry in the construction log. It is not worth hiring a construction crew illegally. In such a situation, it is not the employer employing construction workers – but the investor – who is responsible for their safety.
