Construction project management in the Helderberg and Western Cape
Construction project management means one person keeps your build on budget, on programme and moving. Leon sets up the brief and budget, plans the work in MS Project, runs the consultant team and tenders, and reports on cost and risk. We manage projects for owners and developers in the Helderberg, Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Strand, Gordon's Bay, along the coast to Rooi-Els and Hermanus, Cape Town and further afield.
What it covers
Most building projects that go wrong do so before a brick is laid. The brief is vague, the budget is a guess, or the architect, engineer and quantity surveyor are not working from the same plan. Leon starts by pinning those down. He writes the brief with you, checks the budget against what you want to build, and draws up a programme in MS Project that shows every stage, from design and approvals through to handover.
Once the work is out to tender, he compares the prices like for like and helps you choose the right contractor. During the build he tracks spend against the budget, flags risks early and sends you short, regular progress reports. Leon is currently a senior project manager on Zutari and GVK Projects in the Western Cape, including work at Tygerberg Hospital and rapid-build schools. He has also delivered BREEAM-rated work in London, such as One Pear Place.
- Writing the project brief with you
- Setting and checking the budget
- Programme planning in MS Project
- Coordinating the architect, engineers and QS
- Tender documents and contractor selection
- Cost control and cash flow tracking
- Risk registers and progress reports
- BREEAM and green building delivery
Who it is for
Property developers
Developers get a single manager who keeps the consultants, budget and programme lined up across each phase.
First-time builders
If you have never run a building project, Leon explains each step and makes the decisions easier to follow.
Organisations that need space
Schools, healthcare groups and companies get someone who can turn a need for space into a costed, planned project.
How it works
01
Brief and budget
We agree what you want to build and what it should cost, and test the two against each other.
02
Plan and team
Leon builds the programme in MS Project and brings the design team together around it.
03
Tender
He prepares the tender, compares the prices and helps you appoint the contractor.
04
Build and report
He tracks cost, time and risk on site and sends you clear progress reports until handover.
Small to large
For a small build, project management can be a few key moments: a sound budget, a fair tender and regular checks on site. Medium projects, such as offices, schools or apartment blocks, need a full programme and a coordinated consultant team. Large developments bring several contractors, phases and approvals at once, and Leon has run that kind of programme in the DRC and the UK.
Where we have done it
- Zutari – GVK ProjectsSenior Project Manager on public-sector projects for Zutari and GVK, including Tygerberg Hospital.
- One Pear Place, Waterloo RoadA BREEAM mixed-use building with two retail units, two floors of offices and nine apartments.
- Luano City DevelopmentsA large secure compound in the DRC: 76 villas, offices, a warehouse, a cafeteria, a clubhouse and three apartment blocks.
Questions about construction project management
What is the difference between a project manager and a principal agent?
The project manager looks after the whole project: brief, budget, programme, consultants and tender. The principal agent runs the building contract with the contractor once it is signed. On many projects Leon does both, which saves you paying two people and stops gaps opening up between the roles.
When should I bring in a project manager?
As early as you can, ideally before the design is finished. Decisions made at the start fix most of the cost, so having someone check the budget and brief at that stage gives you the most value. Leon can still step in on a project that is already running.
What software do you use for planning?
Leon plans projects in MS Project. The programme shows every task, who is doing it and what it depends on, so delays are spotted early. You get a simple version of the programme with your reports, so you can see where the job stands without needing the software yourself.
How are your fees worked out?
There is no fixed rate. Fees depend on the size of the project, how complex it is and how long it will take. After a first conversation about your plans, Leon sends you a clear fee proposal so you can decide before you commit to anything.