What is Construction Management?

Construction management is a professional field that focuses on each part of the construction process of any built environment. Construction management typically encompasses commercial building sites or multi-unit residential sites, but not usually single-family residential building sites. Construction management of the site may be maintained by a general contractor or a separate entity, and the construction management personnel or firm answers to the developer and is responsible for overseeing every aspect of the project from start to finish. The construction management field requires a minimum of four years in an undergraduate program and may require a Masters in Construction Management for certain projects. Areas of study for construction management include advanced math, design and construction laws, architecture, estimating, accounting, and business. Construction is one of the single largest industries in the United States and the outlook for careers in construction management is favorable. Job opportunities exist both in the private sector and in government. During a typical project, construction management personnel are responsible for overseeing each phase of construction and resolving any discrepancies in original blueprint design and actual implementation. Construction management personnel are also accountable for the cost of a project and must control material and labor cost. They may work with one or more project managers, architects, and site-specific superintendents, often in both an office and hardhat environment simultaneously. In addition to overseeing the physical construction phases of a project, construction management must also be familiar with design and construction laws -- including OSHA regulations and building codes -- and serve as a point of contact for all issues. Equally important is delivering each phase of a project within a given time frame and budget, right down to the completed building or buildings. Construction management firms vary in size, and some provide their services exclusively to smaller general contractors. Large construction companies generally hire their own construction management personnel. The earning potential for construction management varies by region, but can easily reach six figures with experience and reputation for effectively managing larger, multimillion dollar projects. What Does a Construction Site Manager Do? A construction site manager, sometimes called a construction supervisor, may be associated with the general contractor or may work independently to supervise a construction site. In addition to making sure all safety procedures are followed, this individual is also responsible for making sure

the process stays on budget and on schedule. If the project overruns in either, or both of these areas, it is up to construction site manager to justify these issues to the owner of the project. In most cases, the construction site manager will meet regularly with the owner or commissioner of the project. This will allow the interested parties to remain fully informed of any potential issues, and then make the necessary decisions with the new information. There can be valid reasons for cost overruns, or construction delays. These will need to be thoroughly explained. This is a must in any form of construction management. The construction site manager is responsible for coordinating the work schedules and deliveries, and making sure the building site is run efficiently. For example, loaders may work during the early morning or evening hours, while laborers work during the day. This stops the construction site from becoming overcrowded by too many people in the construction zone, which may lead to inefficiencies, or safety issues. Further, it ensures materials are in place when the construction workers are ready to begin. The construction site manager will also work closely with any subcontractors to schedule them at appropriate times. In some cases, having plumbing and electrical subcontractors in the same area at the same time could be inconvenient as they may get in each other's way. It is up to the construction site manager to anticipate these potential conflicts, and deal with them ahead of time. This will help keep the project on schedule and within budget. If a major change in the project is required, the construction site manager will usually be the one who draws up a change order, or directs the order to be drawn. Once that takes place, the manager will then take that order to the decision-making body, be it an executive officer or board of directors, explain the situation, and make a recommendation. The recommendation usually constitutes the majority of the change order. Jobs for construction managers are heavily dependent on the economy. The fewer projects there are, the less need there is for such managers. However, for those who are capable managers, there are always jobs available. The qualifications include having a degree in construction science or engineering, as well as some form of management experience. However, many managers also start simply as laborers and work their way up through the ranks, learning the business along the way, and may have no college degree at all. What Does a General Contractor Do? A general contractor is a person or company that is in charge of the entirety of a construction project, whether commercial or residential. The general contracting company is responsible for

bidding on a job, obtaining a job, providing all of the materials, labor and equipment needed to complete the job, and overseeing its accomplishment. While general contractor duties may include some or all of the work associated with a construction project, especially carpentry, more specialized work, such as plumbing, electrical and mechanical, may be subcontracted out. To become a general contractor, known as a main contractor in Europe and a prime contractor by the U.S. government, no degree is technically necessary, though a bachelors degree in construction science is preferred by many larger companies. All states in the U.S. require that a general contractor pass a written exam on general construction practices and laws before obtaining a license to work. Some states also require that a contractor establish the financial means to run a general contracting business, as well as provide recommendations from previous employers, clients, and business associates before obtaining a license. The job of a general contractor begins with seeking out work and submitting construction bids to get hired to manage a project. Contractors will typically estimate the cost of materials for the project, add in their projected cost of labor including payment for subcontractors, and their profit margin, before submitting the estimate to the client. Once the client accepts the bid, the contractor will most likely obtain a performance bond, especially for larger projects, ensuring the client has financial protection in place in the event the project is not completed in the time or manner requested. Once the paperwork is finished and the contract is signed, the general contractor will then solicit bids for the specialty work needed for the project that the contractor's company is unable or unwilling to handle. In some cases, particularly when doing work for the government, the general contractor will have to submit a list of subcontractors to the client either before the contract is signed or directly after; subcontractors are sometimes subject to the approval of the client. From that point, the general contractor oversees all aspects of the project and is directly responsible for any complications that may arise during construction. Any delays or issues with the project may come out of the contractor's pocket unless the agreement with the subcontractor or subcontractors state otherwise. While some general contractors handle the majority of the work themselves, those who engage subcontractors are still ultimately responsible for the timeliness and quality of all work. What is a Subcontractor? A subcontractor is a person or a company hired by a general contractor to perform part of the work of a construction job. For example, a contractor might be building a house, but might hire a firm or a

person specializing in electrical engineering to install the electrical systems needed in the house. Generally the subcontractor will either relieve the main contractor of part of the building work, or will be able to perform work at lower expense or at a greater skill level than the general contractor could. Often, a subcontractor, whether an individual or a business, forms relationships with several general contractors. The general contractor working with a subcontractor does not employ the subcontractor as a regular employee in most cases. Instead the subcontractor is either an independent contractor, or is a company that provides its employees with required benefits like health insurance coverage. Not having to extend benefits to a subcontractor is one way that the general contractor saves money on a job. However, if problems occur because of faulty work on the part of the subcontractor, usually the general contractor is held liable for such problems. The general contractor may attempt to seek redress with the subcontractor, or have defined terms in the contract with a subcontractor stipulating that the liability would be more evenly shared. Frequently, though, hiring a subcontractor, or several, is a way to avoid problems in construction. Specialized workers like plumbers, electricians, or people who install heating and cooling devices, often called HVAC workers, tend to have more knowledge and training in their given field. While simply building something requires training and knowledge, people who are specialists better perform certain types of work. The subcontractor and the general contractor are served well by being able to form good working relationships with each other. For the general contractor, access to a reliable subcontractor can mean finishing jobs on time and on budget. For the subcontractor, a good reputation among contractors means greater opportunities for consistent work. A subcontractor often holds licenses in his or her specialty field. He or she might hold a general license to conduct work in a state, and also hold advanced licensing. Such licensing implies a certain amount of hours practicing his or her trade and knowledge regarding state building codes. In some cases, one may also refer to a person hired for a few days of work, without a specialized field as a subcontractor. Really the more accurate term is independent contractor. The person is usually a temporary employee of the contractor, hired to finish work on time, or to temporarily replace another worker who is ill. This type of subcontractor may not have a general contractors license but may be hired for his or her carpentry skills.