A construction manager, or CM, oversees a project’s schedule, budget, and quality on behalf of the owner, sometimes without directly performing construction work themselves.
Owners on larger or more complex projects hire a CM to represent their interests separately from the contractor.
What Does a Construction Manager Do?
- Manages bidding among subcontractors
- Tracks budget against the owner’s targets
- Coordinates scheduling across trades
- Reviews quality and change orders on the owner’s behalf
Why Is a Construction Manager Important?
On a commercial build, a CM might manage bidding among multiple subcontractors and track budget throughout construction, giving the owner an independent set of eyes on the project. This oversight matters most on complex projects where the owner doesn’t have the expertise or time to manage construction directly themselves.
Construction Manager vs. General Contractor
A CM often represents the owner’s interests, sometimes under a construction-manager-at-risk or agency arrangement, while a general contractor typically holds the construction contract and carries the building risk directly. The CM role differs mainly in whose interests they’re structured to represent.