House renovation project manager cost guide

If you’re planning a house renovation project, you might think that hiring a project manager is a cost you can do without. You might want to think again. In this guide we look at the average house renovation project manager cost in the UK.

We’ll also look at how hiring a project manager could actually save you money, time and a lot of stress. Around 90% of unmanaged building and renovation projects overspend by an average of 20% of the total estimated cost. That’s a whopping £20k overspend for every £100k budgeted for.

Whether you’re planning a renovation for your own home, or renovating a house to sell, a project manager can bring valuable skills and experience to keep costs under control and keep you sleeping soundly at night.

How much does a house renovation project manager cost?

The cost of a project manager is usually agreed in one of two ways – either as a flat rate or fee for the project or as a percentage of the overall spend on the renovation. The average cost of a house renovation project manager is 15% to 20% of the total spend.

Many house renovation project managers will split their services into pre-build work and on-site work. That means they can help you with all the preparation for the project, such as organising and reviewing designs, pulling together costs, and planning budgets.

The cost of a project manager to carry out pre-construction is usually somewhere in the region of £5,000 to £7,000.

House renovation project managers can also provide ongoing support throughout the renovation itself, for which they will charge an on-site support fee. This cost is often charged on a monthly basis and can cost in the region of £1,000 to £3,500 per month, depending on the size and complexity of the project.

Factors affecting the cost of a project manager

The price you pay for a house renovation project manager can vary massively, depending on a number of factors. Their level of involvement is up to you, as you can have a project manager that helps with preparation only, or someone who’s there for day one of planning right through to when the final work is complete.

Some of the main factors to consider are:

• Size and complexity of renovation
• Type of support need
• Level of involvement in the project (onsite and offsite)
• Total renovation spend
• Construction approach (using a single construction company or multiple individuals tradespeople)
• Experience and seniority of the project manager
• Time it takes to complete the project
• Number and frequency of visits needed
• Where you live

What does a house renovation project manager do?

If you’re wondering what exactly a house renovation project manager does, the list can get very long. And the exact responsibilities they cover will vary with every project.

As a general rule, a project manager is there to:

• Make your life easier
• Guide you through the renovation process
• Provide advice and support
• Ensure the project is delivered on time, to a high standard and on budget
• Work closely with all designers, architects, tradespeople and suppliers
• Coordinate the various stages of the renovation project

Why use an independent project manager?

Once you’ve decided that you want to hire a project manager for your renovation, it’s then time to decide who you’re going to hire. Typically project managers for building projects are either architects, builders or specialised independent project managers.

Each of the three main types of project manager have their pros and cons. An architect has a lot of knowledge on the technical side, they understand the process and can give you real insight into the design stages of the project.

A builder can offer hands-on experience and will usually have worked on lots of build projects before, so they understand how things go. They’ll also generally have great relationships with other tradespeople and suppliers, which could come in handy for discounted rates.

Then you have independent project managers, who are dedicated to managing house renovation and other construction projects. They tend to be naturally organised, diplomatic, have a holistic view of the whole project, and are experienced in dealing with numbers and budgets.

An independent project manager might not have the depth of technical knowledge of an architect, or some of the relationships of a builder, but they have a breadth of expertise to help you complete your renovation successfully. And no task is too big, or small, for a competent project manager.

One of the great benefits of using an independent project manager is that they are completely on your side. They can keep on top of the renovation teams and will always act with your best interests at heart.

Can hiring a project manager save you money?

Often, yes. Although the upfront cost of the project manager might seem hefty at the beginning, it can save you a lot of money in the long run. A well-planned, closely managed renovation project has far less scope for things going wrong or unnecessary delays.

By staying on top of the numbers, managing the renovation teams effectively and negotiating with tradespeople and suppliers, a project manager can more than pay for themselves. Plus, it can save you a lot of time and stress throughout the duration of the project.

Useful house renovation project manager checklist

• Every renovation project is different, so do your homework, research your options and decide whether you need a project manager to help you achieve your goals.
• When choosing a house renovation project manager, look for someone who has good local contacts and a history of similar projects nearby – ideally with references you can contact.
• Discuss the details of your project with potential project manager candidates to check they have the right experience to add value to your renovation.
• If you decide to do the project management yourself, think long and hard about what it involves and whether you have the time and skills to successfully carry out all aspects of the project.
• Always shop around for fair and competitive costs from various house renovation project managers.