Construction Project Management in Sydney
Planshop’s project management service bridges the gap between approved design and completed construction. We manage tenders, contracts, budgets, programmes, and builder coordination so your project is delivered on time, on budget, and to the standard documented in your construction drawings.
Project Management as Part of Planshop’s Integrated Model
At most firms, project management is a separate service provided by a separate consultant who wasn’t involved in the design. This creates a knowledge gap: the project manager is interpreting someone else’s drawings, managing a budget they didn’t help develop, and coordinating a build they didn’t design.
At Planshop, project management is delivered by the same team that completed your architectural design, prepared your construction documentation, and managed your planning approvals. This continuity means your project manager has direct knowledge of the design intent, understands the planning conditions attached to the approval, and works alongside our architect who provides daily on-site presence during construction.
Led by Nominated Architect Martin Taylor, who holds dual registration in NSW (Reg. 10509) and the UK, our project management team combines architectural expertise with practical construction coordination built over 35 years of delivering residential projects across Sydney.
Our Project Management Services
Tender Management & Builder Selection
Selecting the right builder is one of the most important decisions in any residential project. We manage the full tender process:
- Preparation of detailed tender documentation and specifications from your construction drawings
- Distribution to pre-qualified contractors with proven track records in residential construction
- Detailed tender analysis comparing scope, pricing, programme, and methodology
- Contractor interviews and reference checks
- Contract negotiation using industry-standard agreements (AS4000/AS2124) to protect your interests
Cost Planning & Budget Control
Budget management starts during the design phase and continues through to project completion:
- Cost planning during design development, establishing realistic budget parameters before construction begins
- Monthly budget tracking and financial reporting throughout the construction programme
- Progress payment certification, verifying completed work against contract milestones before authorising payments
- Variation assessment and management, evaluating the cost and programme impact of any changes before they proceed
- Final account reconciliation at project completion
Programme Management
We develop and manage the construction programme to keep your project on schedule:
- Detailed construction programme developed with the builder at project commencement
- Milestone tracking against agreed programme dates
- Early identification of delays and coordination of recovery strategies
- Sequencing coordination between trades and subcontractors
- Regular programme reporting so you have visibility on timeline and upcoming milestones
Contract Administration
We administer the building contract on your behalf, ensuring all parties meet their obligations:
- Contract compliance monitoring throughout construction
- Progress claim assessment and payment certification
- Variation documentation, assessment, and approval management
- Extension of time assessments where delays are claimed
- Dispute resolution and contract interpretation support
Construction Certificate & Post-Approval Coordination
After DA or CDC approval, we coordinate the transition into construction:
- Construction Certificate application and principal certifier coordination
- Management of conditions of consent and any pre-construction requirements
- Occupation Certificate coordination at project completion
- Final documentation handover including as-built records, warranties, and maintenance schedules
Consultant Coordination
Residential projects typically involve multiple specialist consultants. We coordinate the full team to ensure documentation is integrated and construction is properly sequenced:
- Structural engineers
- Hydraulic and drainage consultants
- Electrical and mechanical engineers
- Landscape architects
- Surveyors and geotechnical engineers
- Acoustic, bushfire, and other specialist consultants as required
How Project Management Works with Architecture On-Site
Planshop’s project management and Architecture On-Site services work in parallel but cover different aspects of construction delivery:
- Project management covers programme, budget, procurement, contract administration, and consultant coordination. This is the commercial and logistical side of construction delivery.
- Architecture On-Site covers daily architectural presence on the building site, quality monitoring against drawings, real-time design coordination, and variation assessment from a design-integrity perspective.
Together, these two services provide comprehensive construction delivery: your project is managed commercially by the project management team and overseen architecturally by the on-site architect. Both report to the same practice, eliminating the communication gaps that arise when these roles are split between separate consultants.
Our Project Management Process
Phase 1: Pre-Construction (4 to 6 weeks)
Construction documentation finalised, CC application lodged, tender documentation prepared and issued, contractor selected, construction programme developed, pre-start meeting held with the full project team.
Phase 2: Construction (varies by project)
Programme management with milestone tracking, monthly budget reporting, progress payment certification, variation management, consultant coordination. Our architect provides daily on-site presence in parallel, monitoring quality and coordinating design resolution.
Phase 3: Completion (2 to 4 weeks)
Practical completion inspection, defect rectification management, Occupation Certificate coordination, final account reconciliation, documentation handover, and defects liability period support (typically 6 to 12 months post-completion).
Fee Structure
Project management fees are quoted on a fixed-fee or percentage basis depending on project scope:
- Percentage of construction cost: Typically 5 to 10%, depending on project complexity and the scope of services required.
- Fixed fee: Based on agreed scope of work, providing cost certainty for both parties.
- Hourly rates: Available for specific advisory services or discrete tasks outside a full project management engagement.
All proposals include a clear scope of services, defined deliverables, payment schedule, and stated exclusions. Get in touch for a fee proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Project Management
What does a construction project manager do?
A construction project manager coordinates the commercial and logistical aspects of a building project: tender management, builder selection, contract administration, budget tracking, programme management, payment certification, and consultant coordination. At Planshop, project management is delivered by the same team that designed your project, providing continuity of knowledge from design through to completion.
What is the difference between project management and architecture on-site?
Architecture On-Site covers daily architectural presence on the building site, focusing on design integrity, quality monitoring, and real-time design coordination. Project management covers the commercial and logistical side: programme, budget, procurement, contracts, and consultant coordination. At Planshop, both services are delivered by the same practice, working in parallel to provide comprehensive construction delivery.
How much does construction project management cost?
Project management fees are typically 5 to 10% of the construction cost for a full-service engagement, or can be quoted as a fixed fee based on agreed scope. Costs depend on project size, complexity, and the specific services required. We provide a clear fee proposal after the initial consultation. Get in touch to discuss your project.
Do I need a project manager for my renovation?
For smaller renovations (kitchen, bathroom, single-room alterations), a formal project management engagement may not be necessary. For larger projects involving structural work, multiple trades, council approvals, and construction budgets above $300,000 to $500,000, project management provides significant value in controlling costs, managing timelines, and coordinating between consultants and the builder.
What contract types does Planshop use?
We typically use industry-standard Australian building contracts including AS4000 (General Conditions of Contract) and AS2124, which provide clear frameworks for scope, payment, variations, and dispute resolution. The contract type is selected based on project size, complexity, and procurement method.
Can Planshop manage a project designed by another architect?
Yes. While our integrated model delivers the best outcomes when we manage projects we’ve designed, we also provide project management services for projects designed by other practices. We review the existing documentation, familiarise ourselves with the design intent and approval conditions, and provide full programme, budget, and contract management throughout construction.
Start Your Project
Whether you’re transitioning from approved plans to construction, selecting a builder, or looking for independent project management for an existing build, Planshop delivers architect-led project management with the continuity of an integrated practice.
Phone: 02 7253 6550 | Email: info@planshop.com.au