The pros and cons of Construction Management

In this article we take a look at the pros and cons of Construction Management to procure, manage and deliver your construction project. But before we get into that, let’s recap on what construction management is.

What is Construction Management?

Construction Management is a highly flexible, professional service that provides the effective procurement and delivery of your construction project. Unlike other procurement methods, the client retains greater involvement and control of their project with construction management. In this way it is very different from using Traditional, Design & Build or Management Contracting methods of delivery.

You can read more about construction management here.

The real beauty of construction management is that the process fosters a collaborative approach to delivering the project which means that, when problems arise, they are tackled in a non-adversarial manner.

Misconceptions of construction management

There are two main misconceptions about construction management. These are:

1. It is a riskier approach to delivering a project; and
2. It is more expensive for the client. 

In reality, neither of these are true. As with any project, reducing risk relies upon using a competent team and, in many ways, because the client remains in greater control of their project, the risks are reduced by appointing a specialist construction manager. 

Similarly, construction management affords the client the benefit of buying gains that would normally be enjoyed by the main contractor, as well as reducing overheads & costs and even professional fees. In fact, construction management can be 5-10% cheaper for certain projects. 

Now let’s take a look at the pros and cons of construction management.

Cons of construction management

Perhaps the biggest potential downside to using construction management is the availability of excellent specialist construction managers. Without this you are undoubtedly going to have a harder time delivering your project unless you are extremely experienced yourself.

When you appoint a less effective, or dare we say ineffective, construction manager your project becomes at risk of them:

• Failing to carry out effective competitive tendering of the project trade packages
• Failing to programme the project in the most effective way
• Failing to sufficiently manage the quality of the project  
• Failing to deliver the project on time or on budget
• Failing to adequately manage the project delivery leaving you, the client, exposed to avoidable risks.

Pros of construction management

However, by appointing a suitably qualified and experienced construction manager you can instead enjoy the following benefits.

• A competent person to help you through the decision making process
• Greater control over the outcome of your project
• A collaborative, non adversarial delivery team
• Buying gains that would otherwise be enjoyed by a contractor
• Ability to directly appoint specialist trade con tractors
• Flexibility over the appointment of all trade contractors
• Efficient project programming including concurrent activities that reduce the project timeline
• No reliance on a single contractor – particularly important in uncertain economic times
• Direct engagement with the design team 
• Creation of local supply chains

What projects best suit construction management?

In truth, construction management can be used for any project. However, in our experience they are particularly well suited to industrial and commercial projects, self delivery of residential projects, modular construction projects and complex projects such as those which require plant and equipment that may be more costly than the actual building being delivered. 

How Evolution5 can help you

Evolution5 is a professional consultancy offering specialist construction management, project management, quantity surveying, principal designer, employer’s agent, and contract administration services for projects across London and the South East.

If you have a construction project and would like to explore how the team can help you, click the button below or call 023 8040 5073.