Is your association considering a major repair project such as roof replacement or siding replacement or an overall upgrade with balcony and stairway wood replacement? 

 As the Board develops its project budget, we recommend that the association include the cost of a project management consultant in its budget. An experienced project management consultant is worth every penny paid. Before the contract is signed, the project manager reviews certain contract provisions such as the price, scope of work description, specifications, and the warranty to be sure they are reasonable, inclusive and customary.   

 Once the contractor begins work, the project manager periodically inspects the work being done to be sure it is performed according to the contract, specifications, manufacturer's instructions, industry standards, and in a good and workmanlike manner. 

 Retaining the services of a project manager is a preventative measure that gives the association assurance that the job is done right and minimizes the chance that defects will appear down the road. We know this adds an extra layer of cost to the major repair project, but it is money well spent. You've heard the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” I cannot emphasize enough that this principle applies “in spades” to major repair projects. Protect the association's investment; hire a project management consultant.