General contracting
A general contractor agrees to deliver the work for a set price (a stipulated sum), or on a cost-plus basis. The contractor takes on the risk of completing the scope for that price and manages the trades.
This gives cost certainty when the scope is clear.
Construction management
A construction manager advises the owner, often early in design, and manages the work for a fee. Costs of trades are passed through, sometimes with a guaranteed maximum price. It suits projects where design is not complete.
The owner sees more detail of costs, and has more involvement.
Transparency has a price. Owners must engage in decisions and review reports regularly.
Where each fits
A well-defined fit-out with complete drawings suits a stipulated sum. A complex renovation with unknowns may benefit from construction management or a hybrid approach.
The right choice depends on how complete the design is and how much risk you want to hold.
A hybrid, where the manager commits to a maximum price once drawings are ready, gives early advice and later certainty.
How we work
HSM CM acts as both design-build general contractor and construction manager, depending on the project. Our self-performed electrical, mechanical and interior work gives us direct cost knowledge, so our advice on budget is based on real numbers.
Fewer subcontractors makes pricing and scheduling more transparent.
Ask to see a sample cost report. It shows how openly a firm shares information.
Questions to ask
What is the fee and what does it include? How are savings and overruns handled? What reports will I receive? How is contingency managed? Agree these in writing before work starts.
Questions we hear
Which is cheaper?
Neither, by default. The right one depends on how complete your design is and how you want to share risk.