Andert Engineering

Construction, whether it is for a residential project or an industrial building, is a complicated process. It involves a lot of people and has many aspects to it, which need to be coordinated together in order to achieve optimum results. From the planning stage to the execution of the project and its completion, at every point there has to be some modicum of supervision, in order to conform to the standards laid down by the authorities and the clients. This is something that can be done best by a construction management company.

The role of a construction management company begins from the time the plans are being formulated, and continues until the building or project has been completed and handed over. They play many roles while this is going on, and they have the responsibility of making sure that the building is built correctly, adheres to all laws, and is exactly what the client visualized and requested.

Role of a Construction Management Company

A CMC company is much more than just a supervisory body. They are the owner's representatives on the field and they are there to check every aspect of the construction. They oversee the contractors, make sure that the schedule is followed, and that everything is completed on time. They check the quality of construction and the quality of material being used. They also perform services such as handling the documentation, finding and soliciting bids from subcontractors, and also finalizing the contractors for the projects. They are also the advisers to the owners, and are their eyes and ears on the site. A construction manager will make sure that his client's wishes and dreams are fulfilled by watching the project at every stage and keeping him informed. Their primary responsibility lies in making sure that the project is completed on time and is completed within the budget. Above all, the project must be completed to the fullest satisfaction of the client.

How to Select a Construction Manager

There are three ways by which a construction management company is selected. A selection based upon the lowest bid is generally followed by projects that are controlled by a budget. Here, multiple construction management companies bid for a project and the choice is made based upon the rates being charged and the range of services being offered. A selection done on the best value is based upon the quality and quantity of services being offered by the construction management companies. A request for proposal (RFP) is asked for, giving details of the schedules that will be followed and the services which shall be provided. A qualifications-based selection is done when the owner is mainly concerned about the experience and the qualifications of the company. He will ask for a RFQ, request for qualifications, giving details of the level of expertise, the type and number of employees that the company has, and also some details about their previous projects. Many owners use a combination of these selection processes to narrow down their final choice of construction managers.

Cost Control

One of the major roles that a construction manager plays lies in the financials of the project. They find the best bids among the sub-contractors; they prepare a comprehensive financial estimate of the project; and also follow the accurate budgetary controls while the project is going on. Since they work on behalf of the owners, they make sure that his interests are foremost and that no one overruns the budget or goes beyond the schedules and deadlines drawn. Generally, construction managers are a part of the process from day one, and so they know the budgets and the schedules very well. A conceptual budget, drawn up with inputs from the owners, the final client, the design consultant, the architect, and the local authorities is an important paper to have before the project begins. This is normally done by a construction management company.

Advantages of Hiring Construction Managers

The cost of hiring a construction manager may seem high in the beginning, but it is offset by the savings that a construction company can give the client. Their supervision can help decrease costs because they can check the quality and quantity of the materials being used. They are also experts in doing a complete quality survey once the project has been completed and also in doing a risk analysis of the building. The roles that construction management companies play are many and varied, and are based upon the rates they are charging. Their fees and services are open and clear, and their roles are clearly defined. There is a visible improvement in any project work when someone is there to keep the owner's interests in mind.

Choosing a Construction Management Company

It is important to choose a company which has the expertise and knowledge that the client requires. Construction work can be divided into four types -- residential, commercial, civil, and industrial. Most construction management companies specialize in one or two of these fields. It is important to check their experience, the number of projects they have done recently, and the qualifications and quality of their employees. Their cost estimates should be clear, stating the services they will offer, the amount of time they will spend on the project, the length of their services -- such as whether they will be there from the beginning and till the building is handed over. The scope of their role should also be clearly defined.

Processes

At the design stage, the CMP can help in the selection of the contractors and in drawing up the schedules for the entire project. During the pre-construction and procurement stage, the managers can do a site investigation and a follow-up on whether all the zoning and local permits have been taken and adhered to. During the days when the constructions is taking place, the construction management team is watching and analyzing the process, and coordinating between the various subcontractors, so that they work in conjunction with each other. They also chase the deadlines so that no one overshoots the time limit, thereby raising the costs. Testing the systems to see that they are working properly, checking the warranties on all the equipment being used and above all, making sure that the building is exactly what the client ordered is the main role played by the construction management company when the building is ready to be handed over.

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