Project Management
Should I Manage My Own Build? Pros and Cons of Professional Project Management
Designing the house is the fun part. But once the concept is done, the real work begins. You suddenly have to deal with structural engineers, hydraulic consultants, BASIX, certifiers, surveyors, and the local Council.
For many homeowners, this “Pre-Construction” phase is overwhelming. You are left asking: “Should I try to herd these cats myself? Or should I pay a professional to manage it?”
At JJ Drafting, we offer Building Design Project Management to handle this complex coordination for you. Here are the pros and cons to help you decide if you need it.
What is “Design Project Management”?
It is important to clarify what we mean.
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Full Project Management (Architects): This usually involves supervising the builder on-site every week for 12 months. It is expensive (often 15% of the build cost).
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Design & Approval Management (JJ Drafting): We manage the entire process up to the start of construction. We coordinate all the consultants, lodge the applications, and answer the Council’s technical questions so you don’t have to.
Option 1: The DIY Approach (You Manage It)
You hire a draftsman for the drawings, but you hire the engineer, you fill out the council forms, and you forward the emails.
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Pros:
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Cost: You save the management fee. If you have plenty of free time and are organised, this can save you money.
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Control: You are the direct point of contact for everyone.
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Cons:
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The “Language” Barrier: When the Structural Engineer asks about “steel portal frame bracing,” do you know how to answer? If not, you become a bottleneck.
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Mistakes: If you forget to send the hydraulic plans to the building designer, the pipes might clash with the walls. These coordination errors cost thousands to fix on site.
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Stress: It is a lot of email, phone calls, and admin. (
building design project management)
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Option 2: Building Design Project Management (We Manage It)
You hire JJ Drafting to be the “Lead Consultant.” We engage the necessary team and coordinate their work into one seamless package.
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Pros:
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Speed: We speak the language. We can resolve technical issues with engineers in a 5-minute phone call that might take you 5 days of emails.
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Accuracy: We overlay the engineer’s plans on our architectural plans to check for clashes before they get to the builder.
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Peace of Mind: You deal with one person (us), not ten different companies.
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Cons:
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Fee: There is a cost for this service.
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Less “Hands On”: You are less involved in the daily nitty-gritty (though for most clients, this is actually a pro!).
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Which is Right for You?
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Choose DIY if: You are on a strict budget, have previous renovation experience, and have time during business hours to answer calls.
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Choose Professional Management if: You are busy, you want the fastest approval possible, and you want to ensure your plans are technically perfect for the builder.
The JJ Drafting Difference
We believe in flexible support. We can handle the entire approval process for you, or we can simply hand you the plans and let you run with it. The choice is yours. (building design project) management
Dreading the paperwork? Let us handle the stress. Ask about our “Design Management” service when you request your free quote.