Overview
Construction Management, by the American Institute of Architects definition, is a system whereby “the Construction Manager covenants with the owner to further the interest of the owner by furnishing the Construction Manager’s skill and judgment in cooperation, and reliance upon, the services of an Architect.”
This varies significantly from the traditional contracting method of turning over the entire project to a General Contractor on a lump sum contract.
Under the Construction Management approach, the owner is in essence acting as their own construction company. All of the savings from cost effective subcontracting, product substitutions, and early time of completion directly reduce the bottom line cost to the owner. At the same time the experience of the construction manager enables the owner to construct a high quality completed project.
The owner is constantly aware of the current status of the project and may become as involved in, or removed from, the project as is their desire. All the time however the owner is assured their best interests are being served
Areas of Involvement
Design Phase:
- review project requirements with owner to set up project scope
- provide budget for proposed project and make necessary modifications to scope to bring project into owner proposed budget.
- help owner in selection of architect or other design services.
- work with architect thru the design phase to assist the architect and owner in keeping
- project in desired budget.
- Attend and participate in design meetings.
- Attend and participate in zoning meetings.
- Provide cost engineering for project at preliminary design stage and other critical design points.
- Assist Owner in setting design schedules with Architect.
- Suggest and evaluate alternatives for construction methods.
Bidding Phase:
- Set up bid packages to assure completeness of bid items.
- Recommend bidders and qualify additional bidders regarding ability to perform.
- Receive all bids. Bids to be opened in presence of Owner and Architect.
- Review all bids for completeness and accuracy.
- Recommend lowest responsible bidders to owner for contract award.
- Coordinate with town/municipal agencies and secure proper permits
Construction Coordination:
- Prepare construction schedule for project.
- Preside over project meetings with prime contractors.
- Attend & participate in all Architect and owner meetings as required.
- Receive and review all submittal from prime contractors before forwarding to Architect for final approval
- Participate in all construction meetings with architect and Owner.
- Update completion schedules on regular basis to keep owner constantly up to date.
- Regularly inspect all work to assure quality control of all operations.
- Provide daily job site supervision.
- Coordinate all construction activity with Prime contractors.
- Administer all prime construction contracts, keep owner up to date on all contract activity.
- Receive Prime contractor invoices.
- Review and recommend to owner for payment.
- Perform punch list inspections with architect.
- Perform final inspections for contract close out.
- Administer all contract close outs.
- Secure Certificates of Occupancy.