Key Players in the Commercial Construction Process

When you begin the process of a new build, it can be incredibly overwhelming. All of a sudden there are what seems like thousands of people who have their hands on the ball, and while certain construction management types make communication easy, you probably still want to know what’s going on behind the scenes and who’s doing what—we get it. This build is your company’s future, after all!

KBS Companies, your team of commercial construction pros, is here to help you through this sometimes-confusing process. While we can’t speak for every single commercial construction company out there, and these roles will shift and fluctuate depending on who you work with, a few tend to remain relatively consistent. Below, you’ll find a brief outline of a few key players that will have an effect on your building’s outcome.

Project Executive

It may surprise you to learn that construction companies have executives too, just like many business firms! The project executive, or senior project manager as it’s also often called, is the major overseer of the construction process. They’re who you’re most likely to meet with to discuss official business, as they’re the party who makes sure the project meets its overall goals,  whatever those may mean in that given situation or for that client—usually, it refers to

●        Budgets

●        Communication between applicable parties

●        Team member supervision

●        Timelines

●        Completion of applicable testing

●        Quality standards

These executives usually have more than a decade of experience doing what they do, so they’re well-qualified to run simultaneous projects, which is common in the industry. Stalwart leaders, they serve as the “face” of their company in the eyes of their client, so impeccable communication skills are essential.

Construction Manager

These guys are similar to project executives, but they operate on a more day-to-day basis. As the person who visits the team on-site, they split their time between the office and the build, making sure everything runs smoothly. While more senior executives might be in charge of the long-term, end-game results of a project, the manager of a commercial construction company ensures short-term goals are accomplished so that progress is made towards the bigger picture.

It’s important to note that the construction manager also may share some tasks with the senior executive—or, in some cases, they may also be the senior executive. It all depends on the size of the company. 

Generally, though, construction managers

●        Make sure daily work accomplishes the scheduled requirements

●        Visit the site to make sure everything adheres to quality standards

●        Deal with subcontractor contracts

●        Perform general troubleshooting

●        Report on progress to clients

●        Make sure the logistical portions of a project all go according to plan.

Architect

Architecture might not involve heavy-lifting like some construction jobs might, but it’s certainly an integral part of the building process nonetheless. Architects are responsible for the design of a building—its floor plan, the materials used, you name it. They take the problems the client is facing with their current building and fashion a design to solve them. As such, they may meet with those clients to determine their needs.

But it’s not just drawing up ideals that comprises an architect’s job! They must remain within the project budget, create a design that’s both functional and pleasing in the eyes of the client, and even make sure their design accounts for lighting and plumbing! There’s a lot to think about when it comes to architecture, so a great amount of education is often required.

They may check in on the construction site now and again to make sure their design specifications are being followed, working in close contact with the construction manager.

Construction Superintendent

This specialist deals with the more hands-on aspects of managing the job site. While a construction manager might split their time between an office setting and the building site, a construction superintendent works almost exclusively at the latter. They may attend applicable meetings, but their job tends to consist of more practical and less communicative matters.

By that, we mean that the construction superintendent

●        Ensures OSHA requirements are met on the job site

●        Manages subcontractors and field workers

●        Properly records delays

●        Assesses the constructability of a given project

●        Makes sure workers perform their duties according to the specifications

Workers and Subcontractors

These are the entities responsible for the physical construction of your project—they put the rubber to the road! The term subcontractors usually refers to larger organizations that a local construction company might hire for a job, while workers, or field workers  as they’re often called, denotes individuals. All of these tend to be at the mercy of the superintendent. If that higher-up doesn’t like the way they’re performing, they’ll get the boot.

KBS Companies: Here to Simplify the Commercial Construction Process

Looking for a straightforward Minnesota construction company to service your next build? Contact KBS Companies today! Reach our Rochester location at 507-287-3264. For Plainview folks, reach us at 507-534-3855.