What is site management in townhouse development?
Site management in townhouse development is much like site management in general construction, but on a larger scale. Basically, a site manager’s role is to coordinate all aspects of townhouse construction. From staying on schedule and budget to quality control, site management incorporates everything, including:
- Creating project plans and schedules
- Coordinating and supervising all contractors, subcontractors and staff
- Arranging site access
- Monitoring budgets
- Managing all aspects of site safety
- Overseeing quality control checks
- Coordinating deliveries and equipment
- Organising and supervising staff and subcontractors
This list is by no means exhaustive but shows just how varied and diverse the role of a site manager can be. It’s important to remember that while a general construction site manager handles these tasks for one site, a townhouse development site manager must keep the entire project on track, potentially across multiple sites.
Tips for effective site management
The way you approach site management can make or break any project. In short, great site management ensures everything occurs smoothly, on time, and on budget. Poor site management results in disputes, unnecessary delays, budget blowouts and all sorts of avoidable issues.
With that in mind, here are some tips to take your site management skills to the next level. If you or any members of your team have reservations about managing a site, it’s always worth consulting with experienced professionals for guidance.
Make safety a priority for all stakeholders
Site managers can understandably get caught up in the day-to-day running of a project, but safety must always be the number one priority. The Australian construction industry must comply with Workplace Health and Safety regulations. Needless to say, with the number of potential hazards on a townhouse construction site, these regulations are strict.
Nobody wants injuries and accidents, so it’s important that everybody on site is trained in safety procedures to ensure compliance. You’ll need plenty of safety signage and equipment such as first aid kits in the event of an incident.
Site managers also need to consider the safety of other stakeholders, such as neighbouring residents. By creating processes to minimise noise and disruptions, you can avoid complaints and unnecessary issues. In addition, all supervisory staff members should conduct regular safety checks as part of daily operations.
Understanding roles and responsibilities
Many hands go into building townhouses. So, there are a lot of stakeholders for a site manager to consider when planning a project. Site management involves coordinating all contractors, subcontractors, deliveries, site inspections, quality checks, safety inspections and more. It’s crucial for a site manager to understand where everybody fits into the project, especially from a timeline point of view.
Townhouse development planning should factor in when certain tradespeople and subcontractors are required, such as concreters, plumbers, electricians and more. Understanding how these stakeholders interact is crucial to maintaining a smooth project where everybody works together towards a goal.
Use a reliable network of specialists
While we’re on the topic of construction specialists, a good site manager always has a network of reliable experts to call on. When you hire an experienced site manager, you get the benefit of all the learning they’ve gained from previous projects. That includes knowing which local contractors and subcontractors are perfect for the job.
Finding teams who are comfortable working together without stepping on each other’s toes is important for site cohesion. This also extends tosuppliers, equipment hire companies and many other stakeholders. Basically, there’s no substitute for experience when it comes to assembling a townhouse development team.
Set clear expectations and communicate effectively
It’s difficult for people to meet expectations if they don’t know what they are. Good site management requires you to set clear expectations and communicate them effectively to all stakeholders. If you have certain expectations that a stage will be completed on a certain date, clearly express that. You should also have a strong set of quality standards for all workers to adhere to.
Communication must be maintained throughout the project, including regular site visits, meetings with contractors and subcontractors, and of course, project owners. So, while setting expectations is essential, you also need to communicate clearly if expectations aren’t being met.
Regular quality control
Quality control is the backbone of any successful construction project. You can put together the most trusted team of professionals you know, but if somebody has a bad day and doesn’t complete work to the appropriate standards, you need to know about it. A site manager should schedule regular quality control checks and empower other contractors to do the same.
Ultimately, the quality of work should be checked daily, with more intensive checks performed at specific points. Tracking quality control in construction is the only way for site managers to confidently offer progress reports to the job owner.
Maintain meticulous records
In the modern construction industry, a lot more processes have moved from paper to digital. But a site manager still has requirements to maintain precise records throughout a project. Naturally, financial records are essential to the budget, but building construction management also involves keeping records of permits, contracts, safety reports, meeting notes, orders and much more.
Keeping proper records protects you against liability claims and allows open and transparent communication with all stakeholders. Using digital technology to keep accurate records is usually the best option, which we’ll touch on next.
Use technology to your advantage
Today’s construction professionals have a wide selection of technology to support them. From the vast amount of technology used for actual construction processes, a site manager should also use proven construction project management software. There are plenty of tools available to manage all aspects of a project, so it’s a matter of choosing one you’re comfortable with.
Using technology doesn’t just streamline tasks and make your life easier. It also allows you to capture vital data, maintain clear records, and improve collaboration between stakeholders. Find systems that meet your needs, and use them to enhance productivity.
Need site management for your next development project?
Groove Properties specialises in site management and complete project management for all types of property developments. From luxury townhouses to commercial projects, we take care of everything to ensure budgets and timelines are met with the utmost professionalism. With years of experience as builders and property developers, we understand the demands of large-scale projects. It’s just one of the many reasons to choose Groove Properties for site management in construction. Whether you’re building in Morningside, Hamilton or anywhere else in Brisbane, contact us today.
