MDCI Blog

by MDCI Project Managers / on 9 March, 2024

What is snagging?

Snagging is a vital step in the completion of a new construction or refurbishment process. It ensures that there are no nasty surprises when you move in and obliges the contractor to solve the issues identified before their works are signed off and they are paid in full. Without a thorough snagging check, with an independent and experienced snagging professional, you leave yourself open to being left with issues, and needing to pay extra or fight to have them resolved. Here is our guide to snagging and how to do it right, to avoid the headaches. Click on the above title or picture for more.
by MDCI Project Managers / on 12 February, 2024

Why we love being a Project Manager

MDCI have been delivering quality project management in Spain for 24 years and we are passionate about what we do. That’s why, in the month of love, we wanted to tell you six reasons we love our job and why our clients love MDCI. 1. There’s never a dull moment and no day is the same. 2. You never stop learning. 3. Project Management keeps you on your toes. 4. Project Management requires strategic thinking. 5. We protect our clients’ interests and help guide them through the project. 6. We love delivering projects on time and on budget. Click on the above picture for more.
by MDCI Project Managers / on 23 January, 2024

A year of Project Management

There has been a significant increase in these conflicts, delays and budgetary issues over 2023. Reasons for this vary from project to project, but there are clear trends fuelling these problems across the board, such as lack of overall strategy and planning, price constraints caused by inflation, as well as changes in specs due to shortages and stock issues caused by COVID. Other issues which we have seen a lot of over the past 12 months have been incorrect documentation and contracts being agreed and signed, activities and deliverables being unsupervised and undelivered and a general lack of attention to detail and failure to properly assess what is being actually delivered. Click on the above picture for more.
by MDCI Project Managers / on 5 January, 2024

Building a luxury Villa – going it alone

We have recently started working with a couple who have been trying to navigate the ins and outs of building a villa in Spain alone. After a year of hitting road blocks and being let down by suppliers, they reached out to us and we are taking on their project in 2024. We asked them to share their story, to see where things can go wrong without expert help and guidance and they have kindly agreed. We hope this will help you understand where a professional project manager comes in. Click on the above picture for more.
by MDCI Project Managers / on 5 November, 2023

Do you know what is included in your contract?

We have recently been supporting our project management clients by reviewing the contracts from potential architects, builders and design and build contractors, before they sign on the dotted line. They have been shocked by the number of revisions we have been suggesting to make the contract in order to switch the control and power from the provider to the client. Click on the above picture for more.
by MDCI Project Managers / on 24 October, 2023

What to do when constructors are overcharging and underdelivering

In this article, we will give you a real-life example of how things can go wrong. We’ll also share how you can come back from this position, or even better, manage it in such a way that you are not exposed to the risk of being overcharged and not getting what you have paid for. With 24 years in the project management business, MDCI have seen it all before and are here to help you avoid these issues. Contact us if you need project management support in Spain. Click on the above picture for more.
by MDCI Project Managers / on 1 October, 2023

What to do when a fixed price contract is not being honoured

The best way to protect your interests and bottom line is to establish a rock solid fixed-price contract with your main contractors. This should include a project plan and well put together costing for the build and deadlines to meet along the way. It should also include penalties for not hitting those deadlines, as motivators to keep the project on track. Find out more about the importance of a good contract. Click on the above picture for more.
by MDCI Project Managers / on 9 August, 2023

Project Management in Practice

Today we are looking at ways where a project can run into trouble and recommending ways to avoid this for your project. This was a recent case where a foreign developer had purchased land to build and sell villas. They called us in to support them as their Project Manager in Spain, and we uncovered a host of unforeseen and unplanned issues, which were seriously affecting profitability and timescales. - Issues with the plot - Building with an Open Book Contract - No Development Schedule in place - Inconsistencies in billing
by MDCI Project Managers / on 20 June, 2023

Looking back on the construction of Marriott’s Marbella Beach Resort

Recalling my assignment from Marriott, my first year as their Project Director was an extremely hard landing indeed. Starting with being flown to Orlando Florida from London to be interviewed by 9 executives and given my “orders” and told not to make a mistake “or I’d be dismissed”. However, along with that “incentive”, I was given a wide Power of Attorney to act as needed (a fundamental need for a Project Director as the buck stops with you…). I knew I had an amazing opportunity to be involved in the first Marriott Resort in Europe and was ready for the challenge. Click on the above picture for more.
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