Project mangers and superintendents - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

esizemore · 10-03-2008, 04:12 PM

I am GC for two different government agencies, We build low income houses for the less fortunate. I am a framer by trade and the economy is so bad that I am branching off into sub-contracting for commercial. I am framing a Burger King in Kentucky and the project manager is griping about the construction schedule. They have made changes to the specs for the fourth time and I just got the revised set Wensday. I haven't been able to even order my trusses for the changes. When I get ready to order they will change something and the Project manger is being a prick, because we are two days behind schedule. How would you guys handle this.

Jason W · 10-03-2008, 04:37 PM

Two days?! Big deal! I've done a few chain restaurants (as a PM & Super) and the schedule is a guide not the daily to do list. Will he be kissing your ass when you're two days ahead? You'll be ahead or behind on a fast track job like that quite often, tell him to relax and let you do your job. Maybe he needs to go to the owners and Architect to find out why the job isn't straightened out yet.

Kaiser · 10-03-2008, 04:52 PM

Every time there is a change to the scope or the required material it will cost you money. You need to bring this to his attention right away and generate a change order. It should reflect the extra cost to deal with these changes and the extra time. You signed a contract based on the project documents at the time of signing not what ever he decides to change along the way.

Changing the specs four times on a project like a Burger King is no ones fault but the Project Manager. His tits in the ringer. If he can bring it in on schedule after changing specs four times he just might save his job.

Believe me many of subs have been screwed by this type of PM not having his ducks in a row in the begining. Be proactive, you need to be sure the GC is aware of what is going on now. Maybe this is all coming from the top maybe not.

This is a perfect example of making sure everything is documented. Be sure all your correspondence is dated. When it comes to the end and the PM has blamed all of the delays on the subcontractors you need to be able to show you had addressed these issues at the time they came up. Be it to his boss or a judge.

TMG1 · 10-12-2008, 10:27 AM

Just let him know that his / their changes may affect the schedule, and / or add to the overall price.

This ought to get their attention.

I've had changes made, as we were pouring concrete. Unbelievable but true!

That's what owners do, and our job as PM/ GC is to advise them of the overall impact of those changes to schedule and budget.

denns · 10-14-2008, 01:13 AM

Document EVERYTHING...incase it comes back to bite you in the butt. Build a case NOW.

Snow Man · 10-14-2008, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esizemore

I am GC for two different government agencies, We build low income houses for the less fortunate. I am a framer by trade and the economy is so bad that I am branching off into sub-contracting for commercial. I am framing a Burger King in Kentucky and the project manager is griping about the construction schedule. They have made changes to the specs for the fourth time and I just got the revised set Wensday. I haven't been able to even order my trusses for the changes. When I get ready to order they will change something and the Project manger is being a prick, because we are two days behind schedule. How would you guys handle this.

Pm owns that problem . Documentation is your friend.

denns · 10-14-2008, 01:36 AM

In Las Vegas the good companies train their superintendants,and even their Foremans to document all changes to the contract but even better tell him you will do whatever he wants as soon as he signs a change order.

www.contractorlasvegas.com

richard123 · 10-20-2008, 03:42 AM

agreeing with that, you must document everything just to be safe!!!

RPortinga · 10-20-2008, 05:30 PM

Ditto on the documentation. Even if it's just notes in your own log book about phone calls and conversations. Be specific with dates and times.

richard123 · 10-21-2008, 03:40 AM

oh yeah deffinatly record the dates and times, it looks more proffesional when adressing a client aswell

Shoreline58 · 10-22-2008, 10:08 AM

Rule of thumb; "He who generates the biggest pile of paper wins."

pritch · 11-02-2008, 10:51 PM

I will always generate an RFI if I get even a hint of a change. That puts it back to the archetect or owner. Of course, our supers and PM's are usually on the same page, one big happy family. Make the arch. and owners do their jobs.

Earthwork Roger · 11-12-2008, 11:54 PM

Always document everything throughout any job no matter the size including weather and every revision in the plans or specs never do anything on a verbal that is asking for It BIG TIME.. If they are changing the job this much GET A CHANGE ORDER SIGNED OR BRING THE WORK TO A HALT!!!!!!!

saidshikin · 11-27-2008, 11:42 PM

Rhis not only happened to you but many new PM was unable to controlled this situation. As others member said the document is very important & to be documented no matter verbal or written instruction than u can see the cost & method implication. Be nice with the client but u must know how to reflex back the problems because they are LAYMAN.....

Pizzenterprises · 04-13-2009, 04:59 PM

CHANGE ORDERS! Document your ass off and get everything they change in writing, signed, and notorized. Seems like alot, but if there are damages involved in the end you want no part of that! They should be issuing addenda's and check your contract bc usually you only have a short amount of time like 10 days to submit C.O.'s and after that time, you forefit right to issue changes later.

silvertree · 04-13-2009, 05:34 PM

All I want to know is What's a project manger?

rbsremodeling · 04-13-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvertree

All I want to know is What's a project manger?

The guys whose job is to look after this once its built

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manger

knucklehead · 04-13-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvertree

All I want to know is What's a project manger?

From my experience they are inexperienced guys that are given the job of pushing the paper and BS phone calls and e-mails in order to take the pressure off of the super or the GC. And you didn't spell manager

David R · 04-26-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pizzenterprises

CHANGE ORDERS! Document your ass off and get everything they change in writing, signed, and notorized. Seems like alot, but if there are damages involved in the end you want no part of that! They should be issuing addenda's and check your contract bc usually you only have a short amount of time like 10 days to submit C.O.'s and after that time, you forefit right to issue changes later.

Do you all actually go to a notary?? I don't notarize anything, not even the original contract. Let me know if I'm setting myself up to get screwed one day for not having notarized signatures.

Thanks

Tinstaafl · 04-26-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

I don't notarize anything, not even the original contract.

Me either, though I'd be tempted to if the client was a lawyer.