Construction Manager plays an important role in building construction. They are the head personnel that runs the entire project from the pre-planning, budgeting, to actual day one of the projects, until the completion and building turnover. Thus, hiring highly skilled and experienced construction managers is a must.
Here are seven major works of a construction manager.
1. Prepare budget, cost estimates, and work timetables
Even before the contract officially started, it is crucial for the construction manager to check all scope of works before starting out the project. They work alongside with Quantity Surveyors and Planning Engineers on this. This is true should there be future scope or works not part of the original contract.
As quantity surveyors prepare quantities of additive works which is verified by the site engineer and then approved by the project in charge. The construction manager then decides whether to pursue with the allocated budget or to not proceed with the additive work. The planning engineer then update the schedule with respect to the additive scope. Bottom line, it is the construction manager that decides for all site-related decisions.
2. Comply with safety and building codes and other specifications
Normally, as the project progresses, there will be several people who are in authority that inspects the building or infrastructure construction.
This is true especially on the documents needed for the building like building permits, occupancy permits, and others. Normally, before building official sign respective documents, they do the actual site inspection. They check whether what is presented on the as-built plans are what is actually on actual site condition. Vigorous paperwork is required for these document related paper works; thus, it is advisable that construction managers have office engineers with them to process these documents.
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3. Conduct and head project meetings to discuss progress, issues, and concerns
Every project sites will always have meetings. This is important so contractors, clients or client representative will be able to voice out their concerns and issues in a documented way. In this case, construction managers should have the right skills to communicate effectively and his or her people skills should be broad enough to talk to different types of people.
4. Administer Contract
Even before the actual building commences, the contract and plans should be thoroughly debated with the architects, clients, designers, consultants and so with the surveyors. Most of the problems arise from the land acquisition. Survey points should be checked by both contractor and client-side survey team before the first actual pouring such as footings. Else, this might be subjected to demolition should the property line points be erroneous.
Basically, contracts are the backbone for both parties (contractors and clients). Should there be conflict between them, the contract document is the one that enforces both to go back on track. That summarizes the importance of the contract even before the actual construction project. It serves as a covenant or protection intended to be enforceable by law.
5. Project management
To facilitate project sites, construction managers are the ones qualified to initiate, plan, execute control of the work of its personnel to achieve its goals. Normally, if the project is still on structural works phase, only civil engineers are hired. By the time the architectural works begin, that is when construction managers decide to hire Architects.
This is called Manpower Scheduling and this is one of the crucial works of construction managers. They are also the one who decides whether a professional is still relevant for the site or not. Thus, it is important to hire construction managers with thoroughly developed leadership and communication skills.
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6. Cost, Safety and Quality Management
Every project has to be on a budget. If not, the purpose of the construction business would lose its meaning. Costs and expenditures should be managed efficiently as there will always be unforeseen overhead expenses along the way. Otherwise, the project would suffer as it may be hard to adjust for unexpected expenditure issues.
In the same way, the construction managers are the ones who champion safety and quality management. As a matter of fact, safety and quality should always be on top of their list. Safety of the working environment and safety of all its personnel should never be compromised. That is the reason why one of the qualifications of construction managers are for them to be well versed with the safety programs and codes. The same way with quality assurance and concerns.
7. Overall head of the project and meet with the clients
The construction managers technically are the ones that approve or disapproves all works with respect to the contract. Along with the project engineers, he or she is the one that has hold and is the overall responsible for the development of the project. They see to it that the project is on time, on quality, and on budget.
