What is this word that makes for a smooth-running project?
Tip 1
(You’ll have to wait and see. First read the other 19 tips.)
Tip 2
Insist on good documentation that accurately describes the extent of the project, the materials and details to be used, and the expected quality.
Tip 3
Follow the documentation.
Tip 4
Read and be familiar with all the documents – have a copy of all documentation on the site, it is your key reference.
Tip 5
Ensure subtrades are given a full set of documents to price and work from – not just the bits you think are relevant to their work.
Tip 6
Respect the work of others, particularly when working in the vicinity of finished work.
Tip 7
Keep precise, up-to-date records of meetings, site instruction conversations and decisions made.
Tip 8
Plan ahead – ensure work is correctly sequenced to prevent rework or modification to finished work and to meet specific milestones. Always prepare a work plan.
Tip 9
If you make promises, keep them.
Tip 10
Be on time for meetings.
Tip 11
Be courteous to subtrades, the designer and the building official, but stand your ground if you need to.
Tip 12
Regularly monitor on-site progress – the aim is to identify and deal with a potential problem before it becomes a real problem.
Tip 13
Ensure progress payments are claimed from the client and paid to subtrades on time.
Tip 14
Regularly monitor the quality of work in progress and completed work (and make sure the main contractor does the same for subtrades).
Tip 15
Give sufficient notice of when work will be ready for inspection by the Building Consent Authority.
Tip 16
Don’t take it upon yourself to make design and detailing decisions – if you don’t think a detail will work or cannot be built as detailed, refer it to the designer for resolution.
Tip 17
Take particular care to accurately set out the foundation since the rest of the building depends on this.
Tip 18
Identify and order necessary resources (equipment, labour) and materials early on.
Tip 19
Programme material deliveries so they arrive just before they are needed.
Tip 20
It can’t be said often enough – follow the documentation. (Assuming you’ve read all the tips and not just skimmed to the bottom first, here’s the top tip.)
The No. 1 tip
Communication – clear, unambiguous communication between all parties, whether verbal or written. If there is no communication between the parties, there is no project.