The role of a condo manager can be a great fit for those who thrive in a dynamic environment where you are called on to wear many different hats throughout the course of a day. It is especially fitting for those who are driven, and get fulfillment out of improving their properties and the lives of the residents living there.
While most residents are respectful, being a condo manager can be frustrating when some of the residents see you as more of a servant than a manager. Add on top of that the meetings and requests that come out of nowhere and pull you in every direction, it takes a lot of strength to be an effective manager.
We know your focus is to do the best job you can to make the community better for everyone, which means doing your research on contractors and trades in order to get the best quality work done on your property.
It reflects on you.
But even after all your effort, this can be difficult when the board may have their own agenda – like getting the cheapest price, rather than the best person for the job.
If you manage condominiums – whether it’s a high rise, town homes, commercial or other, you deserve to be heard and could definitely use an ally when it comes to large projects.
Here are some of the top 9 reasons project managers will be your best friend.
1. Expectations
Project managers get an overview of how all of the project elements are supposed to work together to contribute to a successful project. Because of this, they can tell you what to expect during different stages of the project so nobody is surprised. ArmourCo project managers take this a step further and issue notices (start-up, safety, inspection, etc…) directly to the residents so that the condo manager can focus on the day-to-day issues, rather than increasing their already heavy and unpredictable workload. This allows residents to communicate and make arrangements directly with the project manager, saving time for everyone.
2. Identify and vet subcontractors
Whether a project requires one subcontractor or many different subcontractors, it is important to know that whoever is doing the work is qualified for the job. This includes having the correct type of licensed trades on-site with applicable safety training and insurance. Furthermore, you need someone who will be held accountable for keeping track of progress and ensuring that subcontractors stay on task.
A project manager takes care of all of this and acts as a main point of contact to help you address any issues that might arise during a project, instead of you trying to deal with subcontractors yourself.
3. Stage the worksite
Different projects will have different staging requirements in order to be safe for workers and residents. For large exterior projects, the project manager will work with the subcontractors (and sometimes engineers) to ensure that the appropriate equipment is being used safely – this includes swing stages, scaffolding, bosun’s chair, boom lifts, or any other type of mobilization equipment.
For interior projects, they will ensure that areas are clearly marked and that subcontractors keep their jobsite clean.
This leads to a better experience for everyone.
4. Site visits
Part of the project manager’s job is to inspect the site and take note of progress, as well as address any potential issues such as job site cleanliness, product safety, arranging access (suites, balconies, etc…) and come up with solutions to any other type of problem that could affect the project’s critical path.
ArmourCo project managers visit their assigned sites every single day, and document important details such as progress, upcoming work, and anything else that is relevant towards keeping the project on schedule.
5. Health and safety
Condo projects can range from the painting of some doors, to massive engineer-driven building envelope projects that require extensive mobilization and safety training. Even a seemingly simple job of preparing a surface for painting may require certain techniques and chemicals that need to be taken into account given the environment (ventilation, disposal, damage).
In the case of large-scale exterior work, you also have to take into account Working at Heights training as well as any other specialized safety training that is needed for each. A project manager helps ensure that workers are properly qualified to handle certain equipment, and works with vendors to ensure that manufacturer recommendations are being adhered to on the job site.
This added layer of management reduces liability to both the condo manager as well as the condominium corporation.
6. Oversee and track changes
Sometimes during a project you will find that there are new items that need to be addressed. This could be an addition made by the board, or something that is only discovered once the project is underway.
In either case, someone needs to keep track of these changes and ensure that it gets back to the condo manager and board for approval before doing any unapproved work.
This falls to the project manager, who is in regular contact with the property manager and subcontractors – and who can serve to relay messages back and forth from the field to the office.
7. Communication
Possibly the biggest advantage to a project manager is the ease of communication they bring to the 
table.
The speed, accuracy, and frequency of communication has a ripple effect down the line for all stakeholders involved in a project.
A large condo project has many stakeholders including the contracting company, the subcontractors, the board, the residents, and the condo manager.
None of these stakeholders have it in their job description to take notes and keep everyone informed, but the project manager does.
A project manager with good communication unites all of these stakeholders and ensures that everyone is aware of the project progress, as well as what they can expect in the future which allows everyone to stay informed and avoids surprises.
8. Quality assurance
One of the most value-adding aspects of a good project manager is the positive impact on quality assurance that they have on the finished project. This could include ensuring that the correct products and colours have been used, touch ups, and making sure a job site is clean and tidy so that the final product can shine through.
Simply having another set of eyes assess the project helps identify touch up areas and ensure that the site is ready for its final inspection.
9. Close down
Lastly, a project manager takes care of the close down activities such as doing the final inspection report, warranties, change orders, and any other necessary documentation.
With large projects and multiple subcontractors, it can be easy to lose track of who was doing what time of work and when. Project managers will have all of this documented so the final walkaround is a breeze and everyone can get back to their regular lives.
Conclusion
Because of the many hats that project managers wear, they have that in common with project managers. In addition, project managers work hard to keep subcontractors focused to ensure the best possible outcome while adhering to the expected project timeline.
Their focus is on working WITH you throughout the project.
So while they manage the project and the subcontractors, you manage the board and there is a mutual respect and sharing of information so that you can work cohesively to get the work done in the best way possible.
Every ArmourCo project gets a dedicated project manager assigned to it because above all, our focus is on working with condo managers to deliver the best quality and service during large projects.
If you are considering a project or simply want some more information, let us know below and we will be in contact within 24 business hours.
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