Construction Management FAQs

According to the Construction Management Association of America, “Construction management is a professional service that applies effective management techniques to the planning, design and construction of a project from inception to completion for the purpose of controlling time, cost and quality.”

Undertaking a construction project is a complex and challenging endeavor that requires careful coordination of many different parties. Construction management firms can help aid in this quest by leveling the playing field between the owner and the contractor, as well as ensuring that everyone is informed and understands their role, expectations and schedule for completing the project on time.

• Contract document development
• Contract bidding, negotiation and awarding
• Schedule development and monitoring
• On-site construction management and coordination
• Contract administration
• Budget management and change control
• Quality and safety monitoring
• Project completion and close out

The role of the construction management firm is especially important in the public sector since many public agencies, especially smaller communities, undertake substantial construction projects only once a generation. However, the construction firms they will be working with construct many similar projects in the course of one year. This leads to a gap in knowledge and experience. By integrating a construction management firm into the project, however, you can balance the experience level between the owner and the construction firm.

A construction management firm should be the very first firm hired for a project, even before the architect and contractor. A construction management firm is most effective when it is not only afforded the opportunity to manage the construction, but also be part of the design, as it can bring great value to a project before the contractor is on-site. In addition, a construction manager brought onto the project early on also can provide front-end help in reviewing construction documents such as contracts, as well as keep the project on schedule and budget from day one.