A construction project or house extension requires a substantial budget. To avoid wasting money unnecessarily, it is essential to entrust it to a professional such as a master builder architect. The same applies during interior or exterior renovation.

This is a key player in the house or building construction sector. Their functions relate to the design, management, and coordination of execution up to the acceptance of the work.

They can be a legal entity or natural person, but also an architectural firm or a construction company handling the realization of a work or the entirety of services.

Of course, there are different trades that collaborate for the success of the work. But the master builder missions are of paramount importance. To clarify, this article provides details on this subject.

What is the role of a master builder in a construction project?

The master builder legal entity or natural person is involved throughout a work project such as bathroom renovation or outdoor space, extension, or house construction. They are hired by the project owner to oversee the work. Consequently, they must perform their tasks according to the owner’s wishes.

They can be defined as the main contact for the project owner and master builder. They collaborate not only with the project owner but also with the architect and the companies involved.

To successfully fulfill the master builder role, they must be a building expert. They have in-depth knowledge and experience in management, architecture, craftsmanship, and master the administrative and legal fields.

They must be capable of managing deadlines as well as provisional budgets. That’s not all; it is the master builder’s role to strictly adhere to current construction or extension regulations. By complying with standards and cost constraints, they efficiently design work projects and ensure the follow-up of a master builder contract.

At work acceptance, the master builder missions consist of ensuring the quality of the work. They are responsible for verifying each task to see if it perfectly matches the order.

For the master builder role to be carried out properly, this legal entity or natural person must have organizational skills and rigor. Good responsiveness and stress resistance are also part of the criteria for a professional master builder site manager.

How much do the services of a master builder cost on average?

Before answering this question, it should be specified that the master builder legal entity or natural person is paid by the project owner. The latter is the client commissioning the construction, extension, or development project.

Whatever the type of project management contract, the professional project manager does not necessarily have to be a natural person, a legal entity, or a qualified craftsman. It can also be a construction company, a home builder, a design office, a consulting engineering agency, or even an architectural firm. One can also encounter an architect project manager.

No matter the profession, the project management missions remain the same. For example, they ensure the monitoring and management of the execution of the project management contract, including compliance with costs and deadlines.

Regarding the price of their service, this can vary depending on the professional’s occupation. If the project manager person is an architect, the cost generally ranges between 6% up to 12% of the total amount of the work. If you use an expert in the provinces, the rate is approximately 9%.

In cases where the intervention of the project manager concerns only planning or upstream management, fees range between 3 to 5%. But they can rise up to 6 to 14% when site supervision is also part of the project management contract.  

Indeed, it is not possible to define exactly the price of the services of a project manager owner. It depends on the professional, but also on the geographical area where the work is carried out.

What factors influence the cost of a project manager?

As we have just explained in the passage above, many elements can affect the fees of project management work. If you want to make a price comparison, it is important to understand these different elements that reduce your budgets for the construction or renovation project.

The reputation of the project manager person is part of it. The more well-known they are, the higher their pricing. An experienced professional is not as easy to hire. The same applies to a qualified and competent responsible project manager. Conversely, a beginner profile lowers their fees. They are still in the phase of convincing potential clients.

Besides that, the remuneration given by the owner project manager depends on the type and nature of the project. Fees are not the same for a renovation project and a house construction project. It should be noted that an architect project manager can also intervene in case of major modifications such as the installation of a veranda terrace.

That said, the tasks to be performed also determine the cost allocated to the project management site. They set their price based on the simplicity or complexity of the work. Likewise, they take into account the time required from project design to work completion. The longer the time occupied, the higher their rate.

Last but not least, the total amount of the site influences the cost of the project manager owner. Generally, their fees are calculated by considering a percentage of the total price of the work.

What are the main missions of a project manager?

The project manager plays an essential role in a construction or renovation project. They intervene at all stages to ensure the smooth running of the site:

• Design: development of plans and feasibility study.
• Support: assistance in technical and aesthetic choices.
• Organization: coordination of the different actors on the site.
• Monitoring: control of compliance with deadlines and budget.
• Quality control: final verification before acceptance of the work.
• Administration: management of official procedures and contracts.

What are the advantages of hiring a project manager?

Managing a construction project is generally challenging. Between technical decisions, budget constraints, disputes, or non-compliance on site, it is wiser to entrust all these tasks to an expert. If you turn to a professional project manager, they are able to handle it according to best practices.

The role of the project manager is to organize the project from the start until the completion of the work. They take care of all administrative procedures such as requesting a prior declaration of works from the town hall.

Likewise, they ensure the creation of plans, the drafting of technical documents, as well as the list of works. They also make sure to respect the budget and collaborate with various trades.

They are responsible for supervising all the work. They organize site meetings. In case of conflict between parties, they must intervene to find solutions to each problem. Thus, the major advantage of resorting to project manager works is peace of mind.

You do not have to worry about all the details for the progress of the project, as they take care of everything. Even better, they guarantee the perfect completion of the work and ensure the quality of the construction.

In case of finishing or compliance defects, they do not hesitate to contact the responsible contractor to correct it. It should be noted that this correction does not require any additional cost for the project manager client.

What are the potential drawbacks of hiring a project manager?

While the advantages of the intervention of a project manager individual or legal entity are many, the drawbacks are few. Of course, no one can deny that their presence is very useful during project manager works. However, not every project creator necessarily has an extended budget to hire one.

It is important to emphasize that project manager missions are not free. While some people can afford to hire one, others cannot. It must be admitted that their fees can seem expensive, especially if you plan to use the services of a qualified and experienced professional project manager. They do not hesitate to offer you a costly invoice.

To avoid this situation, it is advisable to contact several professionals and make a price comparison. Moreover, although the cost of the project manager client seems high, know that they guarantee respect for deadlines, smooth progress of the work, and quality of the finish.

They are therefore capable of extending the durability of the construction or development, promising you a profitable investment in the long term.

What are the different profiles of project managers?

The project manager can have various skills and statuses depending on their professional background. Here is a comparison of the most common profiles and their specificities:

Profile	Strengths	Ideal for…
Freelancer	Flexible and often more affordable	Medium-sized projects
Architect	Creative and technical vision	Complex or high-end projects
Engineering firm	Precise technical analyses and calculations	Complex and technical work
General contractor	Global and simplified management	Complete control of a construction site
Specialized firm	Administrative and technical support	Projects with heavy administrative requirements

What is the difference between a project manager and an architect?

The building sector brings together 400,000 companies and offers 1.5 million jobs. There are various trades involved from the design of the plan to the completion of the work. The project manager architect is among the actors with multiple functions and heavy responsibilities.

More and more people tend to confuse these two professionals. However, each has their own missions.

Regarding the project manager role, they are responsible for the coordination, organization, and monitoring of all construction and renovation work. The client and project manager must work closely together. The responsible project manager must meet the needs of the client. They ensure the coordination of all parties for the realization of the project.

As for an architect, their main function lies in the design of the construction or development project while considering the constraints, needs, and desires of their client. They are responsible for the quality of the architectural structure of the work as well as compliance with construction and urban planning regulations.

It is important to specify that they can be a professional project manager. However, not all project managers are capable of assuming the roles of an architect. They can also be an engineering firm.

The profession of architect requires obtaining advanced degrees in the field. Additionally, it is more regulated compared to the job on the project manager site. It is not surprising that their remuneration differs. An architect is better paid than a project manager individual.

Some works also require the intervention of an architect, for example those that require a building permit. But when the project simply requires a prior work declaration, a client project manager can handle it without issue.

What skills are required to be a project manager?

If you want to become a responsible project manager, honest and professional, you must above all have broad knowledge of public building works.

Since they are responsible for all technical fields, from the opening of the site to the completion of the work, they must master all stages of the work. This allows them to verify compliance with current standards.

Generally, there is no specific diploma to practice as a professional project manager. However, one must have an architect diploma, that is 5 years of higher education to become a architect project manager.

In any case, some diplomas may be necessary to apply for a job as a project manager. After high school, it is advisable to obtain a BUT in civil engineering or a BTS in building.

If possible, you can continue your studies to obtain a professional bachelor’s degree in construction or building and an engineering diploma in works with 5 years of higher education. To strengthen your qualifications, don’t forget to take training courses or internships that help you with your project management tasks.

How to choose a good project manager for your project?

It can be confusing to navigate the variety of project manager profiles on the internet. To save time in the search for the perfect candidate, it is first useful to determine your project as well as your budget.

When you define the nature of the work to be done, the technical specifics, and the amount allocated to the project, you can identify the qualifications of the project manager person you are looking for.

Take the time to compare several proposals from project managers. This helps you spot the best value for money. Take the opportunity to inquire about their diplomas, training, and experience.

You can entrust the project management work when they are affiliated with a chamber of trades or a professional order. Also prioritize candidates who have taken out ten-year insurance and professional liability insurance. In case of dispute, these guarantees can cover the client project manager.

Once you have chosen the profile that meets your expectations, be sure to negotiate the project management contract. Review together the payment terms and work acceptance conditions.

Despite the importance of the project manager’s role, take the time to monitor the progress of the work. Visit the project site from time to time and keep an eye on the project’s progress.

What documents and insurances are necessary for a project manager?

The project manager’s role may seem crucial. It guarantees the organization and monitoring of the site. They are also responsible for ensuring compliance with current regulations and the requirements of the client project manager. In case of damage, it is essential to take out insurance covering repairs.

Ten-year insurance is mandatory for a duration of 10 years following the delivery of the site. Thus, it is the company that compensates the owner in the event of significant damage. Note that not all incidents are necessarily covered by this insurance. It concerns accidents related to the building’s structure making it uninhabitable or unusable.

Besides ten-year insurance, a professional project manager is encouraged to take out professional liability insurance. This promises protection against incidents related to their professional errors as well as events resulting from their activities.

What are the steps of a project manager’s work in a construction project?

To summarize the project management tasks, it relates to managing the site from the creation of the plan to the handover of the keys.

Before starting the project, they strictly follow administrative procedures such as applying for a building permit or a prior declaration of work. They design a draft estimate and the project cost. They help the client choose the craftsmen who participate in the realization of the project. Then they have the duty to coordinate their work.

During the work, the project manager person or a specialized company is responsible for monitoring and controlling all participants. They handle site coordination and organize meetings. They ensure that the work is properly completed respecting quality, current standards, budget lines, and especially deadlines.

After the work, he checks that each task corresponds to the order and the owner’s expectations. He ensures the quality of the site and the proper completion of the work.

To conclude, the project manager plays a crucial role in the construction project. Although he collaborates with an architect or other craftsmen, the project manager’s tasks are of the utmost importance.