Construction Consulting:

The company that oversees many phases of the construction project for the owner. These duties may include oversight of conceptual planning, budget pricing, and design and construction phases. The Construction Manager, as the owner's representative, manages and advises throughout the construction process. Construction Consultants is that group of management activities over and above normal architectural and engineering services that contributes to controlling time and cost and ensuring quality in construction.

The recent history of some construction projects is sadly one of the reasons why old methods of project control are no longer effective. Today’s construction project are complex and very different than in the past. For example, building environmental control systems have replaced simple heating systems. Structures may now consist of high, early strength, post-tension concrete floor systems with shear walls, where we once had simple flat slabs and columns. Windows have become complete “exterior enclosure systems” This means a greater variety of jobs to be done, and a greater percentage of subcontractors. Architects and owners have a much wider range of materials and systems to choose from; thus, very few projects are the same.

The increased variety of construction materials and methods has generated more detail than can be managed effectively by one person. In the past, one individual could carry out most of the management tasks since only the basic trades were involved, there was an architect and an owner, and the contract was straightforward. Today’s project manager must coordinate specialized subcontractors and work with design specialists who are, in effect, subcontractors of the architect. Many regulatory agencies have also entered the picture. The total management work load has increased to the point that a team with a comprehensive, well-designed system of control is essential. Contractors who attempt to deal with this new situation in the same old ways have encountered enormous problems.