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Which projects need a professional project manager
You must hire a professional project manager for any project that requires building consent. We recommend hiring a professional project manager for all high value or complex projects.
If your project is small, you can use a non-professional project manager such as a school staff member or board member. If you are paying for project management services, the panel should be used.
Project administration services (on their own) can also be provided by some of the panel members if the project does not require a professional project manager.
Procuring a professional project manager
The new Property Project and Programme Management panel will be available for school use from 3 March 2025. More detail will be provided on this page once available. Schools should not renew existing project manager contracts at this time. If you require a new project manager prior to 3 March 2025, contact your Property Advisor.
Paying for project management and setting fees
You need to pay for project management as part of the project budget.
You can negotiate fees as either:
- a percentage of the value of the proposed project, or
- a range of predetermined rates, with an inflation clause.
The predetermined rates are often better for a high value project, whereas percentage fees are generally better for small projects. Seeking competitive quotes will allow you to assess value for money in the current market.
What your project manager needs
Your project manager needs to be familiar with everything at your school.
They need access to:
- your 10 Year Property Plan (10YPP)
- information on delegations for the project
- your school’s property maintenance plan
- your school’s hazard register and asbestos management plans
- project forms.
They also need to be familiar with our design documents and asbestos management requirements.
Designing Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand standards
