A construction manager is a person who watches over the correct course of construction work - from the moment of taking over the construction site until the completion of works. Its task is to ensure that everything is done in accordance with the design, regulations and safety rules. In practice, this is the most important person on the site, responsible for its organization and formal technical supervision.
Is a construction manager mandatory when building a detached house? Yes - if the investment requires a building permit, the manager is required by law. Indicates that Article 42 (1) of the Construction Law. It must be appointed at the latest before the notification of the start of works is submitted to the Construction Supervision Authority (PINB). Without it, it is impossible to formally start construction.
What are the duties of a construction manager?
The list is long, but the most important of them are:
- taking over and securing the construction site,
- keeping a construction log and making entries,
- coordination of construction work at each stage,
- ensuring compliance of works with the project and regulations,
- taking care of safety on the construction site,
- submission of works for partial and final acceptance,
- preparation of documents necessary for the completion of the investment.
Can an investor be his own construction manager? In theory, yes - but only if he has building permits and is a member of the professional chamber. In practice, the vast majority of investors entrust this task to a professional. The construction manager is not a symbolic person - he takes legal responsibility for the whole process. It is he who is responsible, among others, for possible irregularities, lack of security or execution errors.
What happens if you don't appoint a construction manager?
First of all - you can not legally start work. Secondly - you run the risk of having your investment stopped by the supervisory inspector. The absence of entries in the journal, the arbitrary execution of the foundations or the lack of acceptance of the structure may result in additional costs, the need for demolition or the lack of a permit for use. These situations can easily be avoided as long as the right person watches over the progress of the work from the very beginning.
How is a construction manager different from a substitute investor?
These are two different positions. The construction manager works “on the construction site” - technically and formally. The substitute investor acts on behalf of the investor - manages the entire investment, but is not responsible for technical issues. You can have both — and then each plays separate, complementary roles.
Choosing a construction manager is a decision worth thinking about. It is good if this is a person with experience in similar implementations - the best versed in local realities, regulations and how local supervision works. The manager not only supervises the works, but also supports the investor, advises and ensures that the construction proceeds safely, according to plan - and in accordance with the law.
