I don't know why you would want to employ both a project manager and a general contractor because their responsibilities would overlap and you'll be paying for both.

If you hire either a PM or a GC to manage the execution of your project, you may want to hire an independent inspector and/or contract administrator to serve as "owner's agent."

Having project managed several homes, I can't imagine what I would be expected to do if there were already a gc in charge of the build. Too many cooks etc.

The term "Project Manager" can mean many things.

In this case I suggest the manager act as the Owner's Representative similar to the role of an architect in the construction phase of a project.

I've done it for several Design-Build projects.

What's in a name?

Here in Virginia, homeowners have the option to pull permits themselves and hire a "project manager" to assist them with either new home construction or remodeling projects. This is how lots of unlicensed, uninsured contractors make a living and stay under the radar. By not hiring a licensed contractor, homeowners assume significantly more risk. They forgo the usual protection (e.g., contractor's workers' comp and general liability insurance) and various means of recourse available to them in the event a licensed contractor fails to perform.

For homeowners wanting more control over a project and willing to accept increased risks, I recommend you hire a licensed contractor on a management-fee basis.

If you want a third-party inspector, by all means hire a licensed professional engineer or architect.

Jurisdiction matters.

When I was project managing, I was required by law to be a licenced homebuilder under the mandatory provincial home warranty programme. I chose and supervised all trades and suppliers with the approval of the homeowners. And supervision meant being on site virtually every day and certainly when major stages were under way, eg., foundation pour, excavation, trusses being set. I figured a flat fee was simpler than all the margin/extras juggling that consume so many threads here.

An inspection after the fact won't be of much use if, for example, the foundation pour wasn't vibrated as per the contract or the concrete was watered down to make it flow easier. Don't think I have ever been on site when the formers didn't ask to do that!

Jurisdiction matters. AMEN!

In areas where there is a professional building dept., a thorough plan review process and regular inspections during construction by qualified inspectors, homeowners have less risk than they do in areas without any contractor licensing or building permit requirements. Caveat emptor.

I wasn't suggesting the OP not hire a licensed contractor.

I'd say no, because if you already have a general contractor then you have who you need at the helm of the project.

@RES,

I certainly didn't take your comment to imply a suggestion to hire an unlicensed contractor. I agree there is some ambiguity in the title "project manager." My sense is that it implies a more active role in managing the project execution than what I'd expect of an inspector or project administrator. I should, however, note a standing disagreement on this point with my wife. She assumes the (mostly hands-off) role of "project manager" whenever there is a family landscape project in progress. The PM usually dubs me "chief excavator" as she hands me a shovel. I'm hoping an inspector role is in my future....

We've hired a project manager for our residence. We will have a GC as well. We are building on a protected shoreline, something that has layers of state and local regulations. The project manager has so far been coordinating with the architect, environmental specialist/biologist, surveyor, and the state and local gvt agencies involved. Our PM used to work for the county in code enforcement so knows all the regulations and hoops we need to jump through. I suppose we could have tried to do it ourselves, but he's already saved us time and money. The bulk of his work will be spent getting us the shoreline and building permits. Once we start building, he'll be available to consult with the GC should anything shoreline related come up.

The Owners say they are concerned about their "availability to check in on the GC’s work" so I assume that would be the limited role of the consultant they are asking about. I would call that person an Owner's Representative in order to avoid confusion with a Construction Manager.

I'm curious to know who designed the project.

I would definitely hire someone to look out for your best interests, ensure your agreed upon timeline is adhered to, your design intent is executed as you wish and change orders are kept to a minimum. Even with a very specific and detailed set of CAD drawings questions will come up in the field, particularly in a remodel situation, and I think as a busy working professional it would be worth the investment and peace of mind. You may want to reach out to your local ASID (American Society of Interior Designer) chapter in the Bay Area and have a consult with an accredited designer who could be day-today point person for the job. Many designers act as the project manager on their client's jobs.

Best of luck!

Based on the OP's description of the scope "...remodeling my home + adding a 2k addition" it sounds like a job for an experienced, licensed, and insured remodeling contractor with a proven track record executing similar projects. If it adds value for them, hiring an owner's representative to perform periodic inspections makes sense. However, I don't think inspection of the details of the vast majority of this project falls within the scope of interior design nor the training and competencies of an interior designer. I submit the OP will be best served by hiring a licensed professional engineer or architect for that purpose.

At the risk of hijacking this thread, a word of caution for interior designers, draftspersons, handymen, and the like. Review the contractor laws in your state before hiring an unlicensed contractor to "PM" a project you're not capable of or licensed to execute on your own. While homeowners can do that here in Virginia, it would be illegal for an interior designer to hire an unlicensed contractor and pass those costs on to the owner since that's essentially contracting without a license.

Where does one find this type of project manager (in the SF Bay Area)? I'm looking for someone to help coordinate with Santa Clara County and subs for a bunch of land improvement work - new easements, water lines, new road, septic system, etc. Everything except building a house. A GC probably could do that, but only as part of a construction project.