why hire a construction manager?

hiring a cm is an all around win

Hiring a construction manager, also known as a 'CM,' or owner rep, might seem like adding a layer of administrative expense, but, when all factors are considered, the choice is a win for everyone.

a qualified cm brings a career worth of experience

A construction manager represents you in an extremely expensive and technical endeavor. Essentially, the CM is like an owner who has worked with numerous architects and engineers, hired countless contractors, and reviewed and filed as many sets of construction plans with relevant city agencies, all while predicting expected costs, avoiding the unexpected ones, correcting the wide array of issues that are all but destined to arise, monitoring work for accuracy and quality, pushing toward completion by defining realistic deliverables, catching dishonest behavior, keeping projects at, or under budget... let's just say the role encompasses many responsibilities.

experience from behind the desk and from the field

There is simply no way to become expert without having day-over-day, year-over-year experience with the administrative, financial, legal, technical, managerial and hands-on mechanical aspects of the industry. Experienced CMs bring years of skill development, from both behind the desk and from the field, having been responsible for the successful completion of construction projects in their previous roles as project managers, site supervisors, and even as skilled tradespersons.

Since a qualified contractor is highly likely have much the same experience, a construction manager makes certain this knowledge is being directed toward an owner's interests, and not elsewhere.

the cm supports both the owner and the contractor

Many general contractors are, at first, uncomfortable working with a construction manager or owner rep. A GC may resist being watched over by someone they percieve as less knowledgeable or seasoned. With the wrong CM, this could actually prove true!

However, an experienced CM knows how to quickly set a GC at ease, demonstrating through action that they are there to accelerate information sharing, to make quick and accurate decisions, and to speak to the owner's wishes and preferences in the technical language preferred by a contractor.

The CM acts as a facilitator for all involved parties, ascertaining that the work being invoiced represents work that has been performed, while simultaneously making sure the contractor is being compensated at a rate that allows them to work time and cost-efficiently, and without disruption.

the cm is a resource with local knowledge

The CM will be there to recommend tradespeople, artisans and professionals for tasks the GC hasn't previously encountered, be it a fabricator with specific metalworking skills, a supplier of hard-to-find cabinet parts, an HVAC specialist familiar with less well-known equipment, or an expediter willing to answer questions at off hours. In practice, contractors will find themselves experiencing a resource they quickly grow to appreciate.

the cm can come in to fix problems...
but should be brought on to keep problems from occurring

While it is common for a CM to be brought on to right a foundering project, the CM should ideally be brought in long before a project begins, working with the architect and engineers to produce plans that will be clear for the contractor and subtrades, already engineered for value, and roughly cost-estimated, so that GC bids can be viewed through a comparative lens. By being involved from the inception of a project, the CM can use the preliminary phase of a project to recognize and put long-lead items into motion, and later to offer continuity or an extra set of eyes or hands when the contractor needs them.