Frank De Lima Freelance Project Manager

Freelance Construction Project Manager - Hotel Refurbishments Freelancing allows me the flexibility, freedom and preference of working on a variety of different Projects. Hiring a project-based freelancer is also, in many ways, advantageous to the Client- so it's a win-win. 1. My Clients gain a skilled member of the team on demand. 2. Direct expense less the obligatory medical insurance, annual leave, and other employee benefits. 3. One-time assignments, thus no obligation beyond the Project. 4. Mutual willingness to travel and work ‘in-country’ in most African countries. Hospitality refurbishment projects, (even smaller projects) can at the best of times, be a difficult and lengthy process and there are many reasons why so many refurbishments projects can easily end up in chaos and disputes. There is very often a common thread. 1: Under-estimating the scope and complexity of the project 2: Access Restrictions defining the expectations by both the operator and contractors. 3: Dust, noise and general disturbance. 4: Inadequate contract clauses for covering unplanned eventualities, disruptions and interactions. 5: Inadequate insurance cover for risks of working in an operating environment, which needs to cover 3rd party claims. Clearly, hospitality refurbishments and renovations require a systematic approach and a measurable means to document the process to avoid disputes during and on completion. Many times, timeframes (and budgets) are not met because the Project lacks coherence between the various disciplines i.e. designers, contractors and suppliers. Even with a talented design team, a competent builder and qualified subcontractors, someone still has to coordinate the myriad of activities and products required i.e. ceiling & partitions, joinery, electrical and data, etc. My goal, as someone who’s done this before, is to help avoid an expensive, protracted, and unfulfilling lesson!