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Site manager.
A site manager is quite sufficient for a new domestic basement.
They make a lot of choices but their aim is to get the job built as well as possible - which should be a lot better without a project manager, meaning everyone expects to get paid.
The client sometimes wants to be the site manager.
Sometimes the client wants someone with more relevant experience.
It is often true in many circumstances that a client should continue earning money at what they are good at, rather than giving that income up and screwing up their own building.
It is also often true that a lot of the reason to build is to be in charge themselves. To fulfill a dream.
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One observation the self-builder should be aware of. If the site manager is on site all the time keeping an eye on their small team making sure they are working, they don't have the time to imagine the future. By which I mean, "does this next decision save time and money now but will it waste more time or money later. For instance, will I need to spend £5,000 on a crane because I was too hasty today?"
I would say that tries to sum up what I see go wrong more times than anything else.
The site manager needs some people who don't need their keeping an eye on them all the time.
The site manager could do with some people who will work hard and keep an eye on someone else as well.
I think this brings me neatly to labour.
At the time of writing (October 30th 2022) the labour market is at capacity. Everyone who wants to work is working.
Most good people are being looked after because they cannot be replaced with anyone as good.
But new project starts are half what they were a year ago. The construction market might get easier. I already heard timber has edged down in price.
Self-builders, by definition, don't want to pay a company market rates for their new dwelling.
But I can assure self-builders that if they only have labourers who they pay minimum wage, about £75 a day, nothing will get done unless they are full-time on the backs of the labourers hiding in the loo, on their phone, late back after a break, doing nothing because they don't know what to do (ask or clean up) and think they still get a full day's pay if buses were cancelled and they were two hours late because it wasn't their fault.
Proper tradesmen are effective. They get a lot done. Much more than I can do myself. Much more than any self-builder can do himself, because the right tradesmen performs the task he is used to, can picture ahead of his progress, knows what not to do and what to order in in good time. And a good tradesman will keep an eye on his assistant who will run around for the tradesman so he is using his skills to the max.
There are labourers worth £200 a day because, really, they are site-manager-quality but they don't want the worry any more. But they don't like waste and that means they won't work while someone else is idle. They will get on their back for you.
It is also perfectly legitimate, if it is your choice, to be happy taking years instead of months by doing all the work yourself, effectively for free, and only calling in help when you need. Definitely on concreting days.
I'm doing this myself on my holiday chalet rebuild. No one else to worry about. It's a hobby. Enjoyable.
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