Why Project Management Matters When Looking for Landscapers Near Me in Newport and Portsmouth RI
If you want a landscaping project done right, you’ll want to work with a seasoned project manager who will oversee and guide the entire project from start to finish. Here’s why project management matters when looking for landscapers near me in Newport and Portsmouth, RI.
The reality is, managing a large-scale landscaping project such as a patio addition is often more complex than the average homeowner can handle, both in terms of knowledge and time. Some project managers will be full-time on a project (depending on the scope) while others will check in daily or at specified intervals to monitor progress and communicate with the client.
In any project, large or small, certain “best practices” must be followed in order for any project to move along smoothly, and to quickly solve problems that could otherwise run into significant time delays and cost overruns.
Project management ensures a project will be thoroughly planned, coordinated and controlled every step of the way, letting the homeowner focus on their family and business. Where a DIY project often means three or four unplanned daily trips to a stone or lumber supply, a professionally run project will have everything planned out in advance.
A good project manager will understand that no two projects, and no two clients, are ever alike. Some projects are filled with challenges while others seem simple. Some clients like constant communication and want to be as involved as possible, while others are happy to hand the controls over to the pros and just watch the project develop from their kitchen window. But in any case, a project manager is where the buck stops: the full responsibility for the client’s satisfaction rests on the project manager’s shoulders.
When it comes to decision-making, even those homeowners who prefer to be hands-off will want to make the final decision on materials and design. This means constant and clear communication is a must, so that challenges such as unavailability of materials, significant delays due to weather, and site problems that lead to redesigns can be addressed quickly and efficiently.
An experienced project manager is proactive. Success depends on recognizing that problems will likely occur, and alternative approaches may be necessary. The ability to pivot - for example, choosing different materials - is a decision that must be made quickly and it’s the project manager’s job to help the client understand the pros and cons of each decision.
A project manager also coordinates all of the moving parts in any project: and there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Equipment rentals, excavation schedules, materials availability and delivery, working around site challenges like buried utilities or structures in very close proximity to the work site, the permitting process, weather, and labor availability (if the landscaping company uses subcontractors for some of the tasks) all play significant roles in how smoothly a project progresses, or how many hiccups it experiences. Keeping to the timeline and establishing a work flow is critical to success.
And finally, the project manager keeps both the daily steps as well as the big picture in mind, and understands that even the most minor decision change or delay can potentially have big consequences down the road: and most of the time, that these changes will directly affect the homeowner.
Don’t take chances with your landscaping project. Hire a company with seasoned project managers who will take the stress out of the project and deliver exceptional results.