A construction project, whether big or small, requires the expertise and coordination of many different companies and professionals. From designing the plans to constructing the structure, a range of construction companies work together to take a project from concept to completion. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the various players is key to a smooth and successful build.
Real Estate Developer
Leading the construction project is typically the role of the real estate developer. They provide the initial funding and play a central part in initiating the project by first acquiring the land. The developer then oversees the entire construction process, from hiring the architectural and design firms to create the plans to managing and coordinating the general contractor and other specialty contractors who will carry out the physical construction work.
Construction Management Company
Commercial construction services play an important role in construction projects by overseeing practically every aspect of the building process. Their responsibilities include developing and managing project budgets, creating and enforcing schedules to keep the project on time, identifying and hiring qualified general contractors and specialty subcontractors, and coordinating the workflow between all the different parties involved.
On large, complex projects that require multiple general contractors due to the size and scope of work, the construction manager plays a vital role. They serve as the central point of coordination, communicating schedules, expectations, and issues between the various general contractors so they can complete their portions of the work smoothly and seamlessly integrate with other contractors. In essence, the construction manager ensures all the moving parts of a complex build come together as a cohesive whole.
Architecture Firm
Architects and design firms are responsible for drawing up the plans and specifications that the construction crews will follow to build the project. They ensure the design meets all necessary codes and regulations. Design firms also review and approve payment applications from the contractors. Some operate as design-build firms, meaning they both design and act as general contractors.
General Contractors
For many small-scale construction projects, the property owner needs to hire only a single contractor – the general contractor. They coordinate all aspects of the actual physical construction process. As the ‘prime contractor’ who holds the main contract with the property owner, general contractors are often highly visible on the job site through signage and banners displaying their company name.
Specialty Contractors
General contractors typically divide larger projects into multiple parts and scopes of work that are then contracted out to specialty subcontractors. These specialty contractors work under subcontracts with the general contractor, either bidding for work or being directly hired for portions of the project that match their particular trade or expertise.
In some cases, especially for projects with a very specialized or limited scope focused on a single trade, property owners may choose to hire specialty contractors directly rather than going through a general contractor.
Common types of specialty contractors found on construction projects include:
- Demolition contractors
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Roofers
- HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) contractors
- Drywall contractors
- Flooring contractors
- Renovation and restoration contractors
Engineering Firm
On large-scale commercial projects or civil engineering endeavors like highway construction, engineering firms work closely with architectural design firms to ensure the structural soundness and safety of the proposed plans. The engineering firms perform numerous technical analyses that help determine if the design will withstand the intended use and external forces.
Tasks performed by engineering firms on major projects may include soil testing to determine the load-bearing capacity of the ground, material evaluations to identify the appropriate structural components that can withstand anticipated stresses, and environmental impact studies to identify any hazards posed by the construction process.
