Construction Manager: Who They Are and What They Do
The construction manager is responsible for ensuring the proper and timely execution of the final product. They act as a liaison between the client and the contractor, collaborating on the construction of a workmanlike structure, and ensuring compliance with all requirements (as in the case of the Superbonus). They must have knowledge in the economic, technical-legal, and ethical-professional fields, as the person in charge of construction management is responsible for coordinating the phases of the project and the professionals involved in its implementation, verifying the feasibility of the preliminary, final, and executive designs, and personally inspecting the construction site with periodic visits, the number of which is defined by the Legislative Decree itself based on the specific needs of the case.
The construction manager is a figure who appears not only in the context of public construction projects, but also in those commissioned by private individuals.
Responsibilities of the Construction Manager
The construction manager has responsibilities not only in technical matters, but also in criminal and civil matters.
Working with the Construction Safety Coordinator (CSE), the Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that workers apply and comply with safety regulations at all times. Only by performing this task perfectly can the Project Manager be exempted from any liability in the event of accidents.
The Project Manager is responsible for supervising the construction site, ensuring that the structures and the entire project are constructed according to the law, and therefore compliant with applicable regulations (be they structural, safety, urban planning, hygiene, etc.).
Duties of the Project Manager
Before accepting the assignment, the Project Manager must ensure the technical and design accuracy and verify the validity of the regional, provincial, municipal, environmental, structural, etc. administrative authorizations. In the event of any discrepancies, the Project Manager is required to notify the client.
For private projects, the project manager is responsible for issuing tenders, awarding the work to the contractor, and drafting the contract. For public projects, however, the Sole Procedure Manager (RUP) is responsible for the tender procedures, while the project manager will begin work—with the “delivery of works”—after the contract and approval decree have been signed.
It is the responsibility of the project manager to ensure that the winning company is in good standing and has the necessary registrations (accident insurance, INPS, INAIL, etc.).
This is followed by the aforementioned delivery of the works, whereby the client, represented by the project manager, makes the project site available to the contractor.
The handover of the construction site is signed by both the project manager and the project manager. that the contractor provides, and this documentation certifies the start of the “delivery deadlines” (refer to those written in the contract and tender specifications);
The accounting phase follows—optional for private projects, mandatory for public projects—and involves verifying and recording everything that may result in project costs.
The contract prices are then verified, which are fixed and invariable, except in exceptional situations where the cost of materials may vary by 10% above or below the initial estimate.
This is the time to precisely define the construction site area, its boundaries, the main entrance where safety signs are to be displayed, etc., so that the Construction Manager can notify the competent authorities of the start of work.
Documents drawn up by the Project Manager
Construction site handover report: the contractual terms for the execution of the work take effect from the date indicated on this report;
Certificate of commencement of work: to be sent to the mayor to certify the start of work and the validity of the procedures;
Certificate of suspension, resumption, and completion of work: determines the completion time of the project;
Work log: the report of each workday. If prepared by the D.L.’s assistants, the works manager is required to review it every ten days to verify its accuracy and reliability;
Service order: a document to remind the company of discipline in the event of negligence;
Variations: these are possible variations during the course of the project which, in the case of private projects, are regulated by the contract and are decided following negotiations between the D.L. and the contractor. In the case of public projects, the procurement code applies.
Project Accounting
The project manager is required to handle the accounting—drafting official documents—only in the case of public contracts.
Testing
Through testing, the client is guaranteed control over the work of both the contractor and the project manager, whose role ends with the inspection.
Testing can be:
Static, for buildings with metal or reinforced concrete structures;
Administrative, for projects commissioned by public entities;
Final, for projects subject to SCIA (Certified Notification of Start of Activity, a declaration that allows companies to begin, modify, or cease production activities).
If the project in question does not exceed €200,000.00 for private clients, or €500,000.00 for public clients, testing is replaced by a certificate of proper execution, issued by the project manager.
In the event of a successful test (or a successful certificate of proper execution), the amounts tied to each SAL (State of Work Progress, an administrative-accounting document drawn up by the D.L.) are released and the project manager proceeds to settle the contractor’s fees.
In-depth analysis by Inside Project, a Verona-based architecture firm and online architect.