Hiring a Construction Manager
Hiring the right construction manager can save you a lot money during your building project. This is the person that is responsible for the actual overseeing of the construction, coordination of your construction project and the hiring of sub-contractors.
Education
While a college degree is not always required in the construction field, it is always preferred. Look for a construction manager that has a well-rounded education. They may hold a degree in construction science, construction management or even civil engineering. Their college transcript should show courses in mathematics, statistics and information technology. They should have specialized studies in the areas of power technology, construction methods, electrical and building code enforcement. You will also want to look to see if they took any business or accounting classes which will be important in maintaining the building budget.
Work Experience
Even more important than the college degree is a solid work background in construction. They must have a thorough understanding of the building process from the ground up. While a trade certification is not required for a construction project manager it is highly desired. They should have an understanding of carpentry, electrical and plumbing. Ask for recommendations from job sites that they have worked on.
Communication and Other Skills and Abilities
Communication is the key to any good project manager. He or she has to be able to communicate with all types of people to get the job done. This includes the vendors, sub-contractors, government inspectors and even the clients.
A good construction manager must have superior leadership skills and the ability to delegate work. They need to be deal with all types of personnel issues and have the autonomy to hire and fire as they see fit. The project manager needs to be resourceful and able to think quickly on their feet. There will be multiple demands and they have to be able to multi-task. They should have superior time management skills. They need to understand that this is not an 8 to 5 job and is deadline driven. They must be willing to commit to getting the job done no matter what it takes.
Pay
A good construction manager needs to be compensated in line with the size of the project. The median income of a construction manager is approximately $78,000 with projected bonuses for successful completion of the project. The contract that is put into place will define the exact specifications of the job and the projected deadlines that they are expected to meet.