Objective:

To help homeowners understand what a project manager (PM) actually does — and how to collaborate effectively without confusion or overlap.

Learn It:

A Project Manager is your home’s navigator. They oversee scheduling, communication, budgeting, and progress tracking.

They are the bridge between you, your contractor, and every subcontractor on site.

Your PM’s job is to make sure the project stays on time, within budget, and in alignment with your expectations.

Log It:

✅ Create a new section in your Digital Home Manual labeled Project Manager Overview.

✅ Add:

• PM’s Name and Contact Info

• Company or Affiliation

• Primary Responsibilities (e.g., Scheduling, Inspections, Budget Tracking)

• Communication Preferences

✅ Include a short note describing how you’ll check in (e.g., “Weekly Zoom or job-site walkthrough”).

Tip: A great PM protects your time and money. If you know what their job includes — and doesn’t — you’ll communicate more efficiently.

Objective:

To teach homeowners how to maintain clear, productive communication with their PM to prevent missteps or misunderstandings.

Learn It:

Your PM is the person who translates design ideas into action.
Good communication avoids errors, keeps documentation aligned, and prevents small problems from becoming costly issues.

Log It:

✅ Create a Communication Log tab or section.

✅ Record:

• Date of contact

• Meeting topic

• Action items or next steps
  

✅ Add reminders in your calendar: “Weekly PM check-in every Monday.”

✅ Include a short message summary or photo if relevant.

Pro Tip: Always communicate through one main channel (email, Buildertrend, or shared folder). This keeps records consistent and prevents version mix-ups.

Objective:

To help homeowners understand how project managers track progress — and how to mirror that organization in their own manual.

Learn It:

Your PM will often use systems like Buildertrend, CoConstruct, or GoHighLevel to manage updates, inspections, and photos.
You can mirror this information in your Digital Home Manual to stay up-to-date without disrupting the workflow.

Log It:

✅ Create a Progress & Documentation section.

✅ Track:

• Major milestones (foundation, framing, mechanicals, finishes)

• Dates of city inspections

• Notes from walkthroughs

✅ Upload job-site photos from your PM as visual confirmation of each milestone.

✅ Use color codes (green = complete, yellow = pending, red = issue).

Tip: Photos are evidence. They protect your investment and serve as proof of work for warranties and future resale.

Objective:

To teach homeowners how to stay informed about costs, invoices, and time tracking without micromanaging their PM.

Learn It:

Your PM manages the day-to-day budget — approving change orders, reviewing invoices, and tracking hours.

Understanding the flow of money helps you stay confident that spending is strategic and transparent.

Log It:

✅ In your Finance & Budget tab, include a PM column for:

• Approved Change Orders

• Labor Hours / Milestones

• Notes on Material Costs
  

✅ Store copies of invoices and payment confirmations sent through your PM.

✅ If using an app like QuickBooks or GoHighLevel, link directly to your shared dashboard.

Pro Tip: Always ask for a summary of costs-to-date at major milestones. It keeps expectations aligned and prevents budget shock later.

Objective:

To guide homeowners through the final stage of working with their PM — wrapping up documentation, inspections, and post-build details.

Learn It:

Your PM ensures the project closes cleanly — all inspections passed, all warranties filed, all documents finalized.

This phase is where your Digital Home Manual becomes your permanent homeowner reference.

Log It:

✅ Create a Project Close-Out checklist:

• Final inspection and approvals completed

• All lien waivers received

• Warranty documents uploaded

• Maintenance schedule established

✅ Ask your PM for a final summary report or “as-built” file set — store it in your archive folder.

✅ Share a copy with your homeowner cloud drive or external backup.

Final Tip: Once you archive your project, take one last walkthrough with your PM. Note any punch list items, set maintenance reminders, and thank your team — it builds lasting professional relationships.

Key Takeaway

Your Project Manager is the heartbeat of your build — coordinating schedules, solving problems, and keeping the vision on track.

By learning how to log communications, progress, and financial updates, you become an empowered partner in the process.

When you document everything clearly, you create not just a beautiful home — but a professional, traceable history of how it came to life.

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