Construction management is a professional service that uses specialized project management techniques to oversee the planning, coordinating, monitoring and controlling of a construction project from beginning to end. Construction management may be provided by a general contracting firm as part of the services offered. There are also construction management firms that provide management services.

A construction manager is someone who plans, coordinates, budgets and supervises construction projects from development to completion. They may be employed by a general contractor or a construction management firm. Often, they meet with architects, trade employees, engineers and other members of the project team during an active project. They regularly address emergencies, work delays, or other problems that affect the construction project they are managing. A construction manager maintains a wide focus on the project. They set schedules, monitor finances, and are responsible for keeping the project on schedule, within budget, and executed as determined by the project plans.

The five stages of construction are: Initiation Planning Execution Monitoring Completion To optimize the investment in your construction management services, it is best to get your construction management provider involved as early in the process as possible. Your construction management provider has technical expertise in the field of construction and can offer additional value to your project the sooner they are a part of your project team.

Preconstruction is part of the planning stage of a construction project. It involves the definition of the project, identification of potential issues, planning and scheduling, scope, cost estimation, and analysis of needs for the construction project. Proper preconstruction can help you locate time and money-saving opportunities and help inform future decision-making. These services are also a helpful tool for the project owner to better understand the project before committing to a general contractor. It is typically a standalone service and fee separate from construction costs.

General contractors supervise part or all of a construction project. General contractors may specialize in all or some types of construction. Usually, a construction project specializes in one or many types of building like commercial, residential, or industrial. General contractors manage and hire subcontractors while acting as the primary contractor with construction clients. General contractors can be hired by business and property owners, construction management firms, and other construction companies.

The steps in managing a construction project may vary drastically depending on the type of project, its general conditions, and on the general contractor or construction manager’s methodology. Typically, the first step is to establish a project plan which is essentially a game plan for your construction project. Following the project plan, a detailed schedule will be created. Once a plan and schedule are established, execution and monitoring take place and continue through project turnover.

Hard costs in construction are tangible costs that can be quantified and are related to the physical construction, to include labor and material, whereas soft costs are expenses that are not directly related to construction costs. Included in hard costs are all of the costs for the visible improvements like grading, excavation, concrete, framing, electrical, carpentry, roofing, and landscaping. Hard costs contrast to soft costs which are those related to non-physical elements.