It takes a lot of effort, human-hours, planning, and caffeine to bring a construction project to successful completion. But who is really involved in all of this? Well the “hierarchy” looks like this:
| The below list is a top down view in terms of who reports to who. Direct line of reporting starts with the Owner, at the end of the day they are the ones funding the project most likely. |
| Owner/Developer |
| Architect/Consultants |
| Construction Manager/Representative and Inspector |
| General Contractor |
| Subcontractor |
Who Does What In A Construction Project:
Owner/Developer:
Defines the end goal, the requirements, the needs, and the final function and purpose of the project. They usually rely on experts such as Architects, Construction Managers, and Consultants to select build requirements and final product design.
Architect/Consultant:
The Architect is usually the team that “pens” the Owner’s vision into reality. The architect creates the architectural plans. They also use many consultants throughout the development of the project specs and drawings. These consultants include but not limited to a Structural firm for the “skeleton” of the building, a Mechanical subcontractor for the HVAC system, A Plumbing subcontractor for the structure’s piping, and an Electrical Engineering firm for all things electrical. There are specialty consultants as well such as Fire Sprinkler/Life Safety for emergency related items or a LEED consultant to ensure the building is a Green building among many other consultants.
Construction Manager (CM)/Representative and Inspectors:
The Owner will not always be an expert in construction processes/codes/duration/standards etc. of a construction project therefore they will hire a Construction Manager/Representative who has this knowledge to represent them. The Construction Manager ensures compliance of project to the project plans/drawings. Inspectors ensure the project specs and onsite as-built conditions follow the proper local, state, and federal codes. The Inspector can also act as a consultant to the owner and CM.
General Contractor:
Who I work for and where I am in the hierarchy! The Contractor mainly oversees and manages the construction aspect of the project. They are responsible for proper scheduling, manning, and hiring of subcontractors. They also processes submittals, drawings, specifications, and any other project specific docs and translates them into buildable/actionable plans.
Subcontractor:
Usually specializes in one or two areas of construction (i.e. flooring, roofing, glazing, paint, etc.). Chooses the product that meets the specifications. Acquires material and labor to fulfill specific construction roles.
This is a large overview of who is involved in a construction project and what it takes to make the Owner’s vision come into reality. If you would like to keep reading, you can visit the following website.
I hope you enjoyed this read. Check out my last post for more construction knowledge!
-E J
