What Does a Residential Project Manager Actually Do?
A residential project manager coordinates information, responsibilities, decisions, and reporting within a written mandate. The exact role and authority depend on the agreement.
Start with a written mandate
Define services, authority, reporting frequency, exclusions, fees, decision owners, change approvals, and the responsibilities retained by consultants and trades.
Typical coordination responsibilities
Depending on scope, the role may include drawings, procurement tracking, milestone schedules, budget records, meetings, issue escalation, and handoff documentation.
Trades coordination
Track prerequisites and proposed dates among trades, updating dependencies as project information changes.
Material procurement
Track selections, responsible purchasers, required dates, supplier information, and long-lead items.
Schedule management
Maintain an agreed milestone schedule and communicate changes, constraints, and decisions needed.
Budget tracking
Track approved budgets, allowances, quotes, invoices, proposed changes, and pending decisions at the agreed reporting frequency.
Contractor, architect, trades: who does what?
Compare the roles on your project and see where a project manager fits.
ROLE BOUNDARIES
A project manager can document visible progress and follow-up items. Licensed inspections, technical design, engineering, code compliance, fabrication, and trade workmanship remain with the appropriate responsible parties.
Site observation
Scope depends on the written agreement
Bring your project to a consultation and leave with a plan
Share the project location, scope, current drawings, budget range, and target timing. Alasht can review the coordination needs and recommend the next step.