The Benefits of Hiring a Qualified Construction Manager
Clients are often confused about the role of the construction manager. Their role is to not just manage a construction project but to act as the client’s construction expert. Owners who have a new construction or remodel project will often run the construction process on their own, without a qualified expert or the knowledge to run a successful project. Construction managers are available to fill in that knowledge or personnel gap and to act as your eyes and ears on a project. Construction managers provide added benefits to a project including:
- Consistency for Your Brand
If you are rolling out a large, complex project to different markets, you need to be certain that your brand and user experience is consistent. Hiring a construction manager to oversee the new building or remodel of multiple spaces provides you with someone who will pay attention to every detail, ensuring that your project reflects your brand. They can provide resolutions to the construction team and keep you updated on the project’s progress. They will work hand-in-hand with you and offer an added level of knowledge to develop highly complex projects.
- Market Insight
If your company is providing services on a national level, you understand that each market is different. Construction managers who have experience working in new markets understand the research that needs to be completed before moving forward with a project. Factors such as economic growth, finding qualified personnel and overall knowledge of the community all come into play when entering a new market. Likewise, a construction manager who has provided services on a national level can identify process and quality benchmarks in their local market. They can implement new processes or identify holes in due diligence to ensure the highest quality in your project.
- One Point of Contact
Whether you are moving forward with a small, local project with a handful of contractors or with a large, national project with different contractors from each market, hiring a construction manager means that you will only need to work with one point of contact. The construction manager handles the communication between each contractor and funnels the information back to you, preserving your time and resources.
- Having Someone on Your Side
If you choose to work without a construction manager, you are relying on the word of the architectural partner or general contractor. But because money is a main factor in many construction issues, there is potential for the relationship to become contentious. Hiring a construction manager puts a knowledgeable professional on your side. You are also provided with a checks and balances system to ensure that change orders are reasonable.
Hiring a Construction Manager
No matter the size of your project, you need a construction manager who is well-versed in the construction process, terms and building codes. Any gaps in knowledge will extend the process, costing you time and money. They should also be available for questions and be prepared to execute the project at the highest standards. Review their experience carefully; a construction manager who has experience as a general contractor is better prepared to oversee the site. They can answer questions from subcontractors and navigate local government processes.
When selecting a construction manager, choose one who is available throughout the entire process. They will set up the process from the construction documents to the proposal to the internal team, determining how the project is going to look and what they are to deliver. Once the project goes into construction, the construction manager will work with the contractor on scheduling and reviewing documents before sending them to the owner and architect for approval. The construction manager then works with the contractor on a regular basis to reach milestones, answer constructability questions, discuss change orders and provide specific market insight.
Several types of firms provide construction management services, including architectural partners. While their construction administration offerings might align with those of traditional construction management firms, their perspective is from the design and engineering side, giving them a limited understanding of the constructability of a project.
Hiring Sullivan|Day as Your Construction Manager
Sullivan|Day provides general contractor services in addition to construction management. That means we bring knowledge and on-site experience to our role as your in-house construction consultant or project manager, and as your representative. We engage with other general contractors and subconsultants, ensuring that there is no confusion about what’s being provided. You can take comfort in knowing that you have a construction expert on your side.
The construction management process at Sullivan|Day is different from what you’ll find at other firms. We provide each project with the communication and attention to detail necessary to make the project great. While some construction managers offer clients a set number of hours and site visits, we offer clients the time needed to fully understand your goals and market, and to finish your project on time, on budget and to the level of quality you expect.
What is it like to work with Sullivan|Day? Just ask U.S. Bank. We recently completed the sixth Ascent Private Capital Management location, creating high-end office environments designed to serve high-net-worth customers. After completing the first two offices in a standard owner/general contractor relationship, U.S. Bank decided shift to the construction management delivery. As the construction manager we shared our knowledge with the local general contractor, improving the delivery of the project. Besides being available every step of the way, we became a great depository of information to refer to when handling issues. Now, U.S. Bank looks forward to working with Sullivan|Day on future Ascent properties and continuing their trusted relationship.
If you would like to learn more about our construction management services, contact Nate Semsch at Sullivan|Day by calling 763.231.2411 or emailing nsemsch@sullivanday.com.
“We had a difficult situation with a General Contractor on a project. The General Contractor was not communicating with the team and at the end of the project didn’t finish out the punch list. Nathan took the initiative to step in, including making additional on-site visits, to put in place and oversee a new General Contractor. He never missed a beat. He kept good records of the project and communicated thoroughly so I knew the project was being completed.”
—Susan Barbagallo, Vice President/Project Manager, Corporate Real Estate, US Bancorp, client since 2013
