Why Hire a Construction Manager for Advisory Services?

Perhaps you represent an institution — like a university — with a large construction project on the docket. You may even have Real Estate & Construction Division employees on your payroll. So, it begs the question: why hire a construction manager for advisory services?

Let's explore.

Stuck in the Ideation Phase

Project Feasibility and Constructability. Whether you already have a design or not, you probably know how you want to utilize the space you are planning to build, roughly how many people will occupy the building and any special needs they may have. An advisory CM can provide an honest, experienced assessment of whether your vision is achievable within your budget, timeline, and site constraints.

Sourcing Stakeholders through Competitive Bidding. Writing strong Requests for Proposals (RFPs) requires articulating the scope of services you need from each professional discipline involved: architects and engineers who design projects and general contractors who execute the construction. An advisory CM can draft or review the RFPs, so you attract experienced firms that will provide an approach to executing a project and the associated fees they would charge.

The CM also helps owners evaluate proposals, including interviewing short-listed firms before making a final decision. 

Eyes on the Project and Process

Your team lacks specific expertise and time to devote to overseeing a project. Many owners don’t have in-house resources who have the experience or time to oversee construction projects. A CM advisor provides an independent review from professionals with backgrounds spanning engineering, architecture, and more — without replacing or undermining your existing team.

Something feels "off." When a quote or proposal lands on your desk and doesn't sit right, your CM advisor will tell you whether your instincts are correct and how to proceed.

Mid-Project Challenges

Your project is off the rails. Whether it's a budget blowout, a schedule in free fall, or a breakdown in the owner-contractor relationship, an advisory CM can step in, assess the situation objectively, and help chart a path forward — including providing expert perspective on industry standards and reasonable costs before a dispute reaches litigation.

You're inheriting a difficult project. A CM advisor can conduct a thorough project audit — reviewing contracts, schedules, budgets, and documentation — to give you a clear picture of where things stand and what risks lie ahead.

Unforeseen Conditions. They’re underground and behind walls. They may be naturally occurring or something that was initially missed in inspections or documentation. Construction Managers can help sort it out, work with utility providers and remediation contractors and identify if any testing is needed to ensure the safety of contractors and those occupying the completed building. 

Needing an Advocate

You need support in a critical meeting. Sometimes you simply need an experienced advocate in the room. Whether it's a pre-construction conference, an Owner-Architect-Contractor (OAC) meeting, or a final walkthrough, having a CM advisor present can provide you with an educated voice to speak on your behalf.

Your contractor is hard to follow. Not every owner has the background to evaluate a contractor's explanation for a delay, a change order justification, or a claim of unforeseen conditions. A CM advisor provides schedule and bid analysis.

Budget Constraints

You're a smaller organization with a modest budget. Advisory services scale to the size and complexity of your needs. CMs can provide as much or as little support as an owner needs.

You build infrequently but face real complexity. Nonprofits, municipalities, and institutions often don't have deep construction experience in-house — and they shouldn't have to. An advisory CM fills that expertise gap without requiring a permanent hire.

The Bottom Line

Your goal is to spend money wisely while achieving the best possible outcome for your organization. You may already have resources in place — and that's a good thing. But having access to an experienced team of construction management advisors ensures your project isn't just completed. It's completed well.

ShapiroCM is embarking upon its 25^th year in business. Our experienced staff of architects, engineers, project managers and more lead complex projects with care, precision and the integrity we’re known for. As a Woman-Owned Small Business, we bring an independent, owner-first perspective to every project we touch. 

Ready to talk through your project? Contact us!