Quick Answer
What are construction management services?
Construction management services are professional services that help building owners plan, coordinate, budget, and oversee construction projects from concept through closeout. A construction manager acts as the owner’s advocate—managing cost and schedule, coordinating designers and contractors, and mitigating risk—through delivery methods such as agency CM, construction management at-risk, design-build, design-bid-build, or general contracting.
Key benefits include cost control and budget certainty, schedule predictability, and quality assurance without the owner carrying execution risk alone. Read on for how the five delivery methods differ, what to look for when choosing a construction manager, and why building owners across the Southeast partner with Edison Foard for construction management and general contracting.
Introduction
When a project comes in under budget because the owner chose the right construction management approach that isn’t luck. It comes from professional planning, a clear delivery method, and a construction partner who acts as the owner’s advocate from day one.
At Edison Foard, we believe construction management isn’t an expense—it’s your protection against budget overruns, schedule delays, and quality failures. For over 85 years we’ve served the Southeast as a diversified general contractor and construction manager. We’ve seen how the right CM approach transforms outcomes for building owners in transportation and aviation, education, government and municipal, healthcare, and commercial markets.
Modern construction involves dozens of trades, strict schedules, and tight budgets. Construction management brings structure and expertise so owners can focus on their mission while cost, schedule, and quality stay on track. In this guide, we cover what construction management services deliver, how the five delivery methods differ, what to look for when selecting a CM, and why building owners across the Carolinas partner with Edison Foard for projects large and small.
What Are Construction Management Services?
Construction management services give building owners access to expertise in planning, coordination, budgeting, scheduling, quality control, and safety without the owner having to become a construction expert. The construction manager serves as the owner’s advisor and often as the single point of accountability for cost, schedule, and quality.
Core responsibilities include planning and scope definition, coordinating architects and contractors, budgeting and value engineering, critical path scheduling, quality and safety oversight, and change-order management. The exact role depends on the delivery method: in agency CM the owner contracts directly with trades and the CM advises; in construction management at-risk the CM guarantees a maximum price and holds the trade contracts; in design-build one entity handles both design and construction.
Building owners need professional construction management when the project is large, complex, phased, or when they want expert oversight without carrying execution risk alone. Edison Foard offers preconstruction, construction management, CM at-risk, design-build, and design-bid-build tailored to project needs.
Why Building Owners Choose Construction Management Services
Cost Control & Budget Certainty
Professional CM drives budget discipline from the earliest phases. Accurate cost estimating from day one, value engineering, and transparent reporting reduces the risk of surprises at bid opening. Change order management and contingency planning also help to avoid runaway costs. At Edison Foard, our goal is zero cost surprises at bid opening through thorough preconstruction—a standard we’ve demonstrated on major projects such as the Charlotte Convention Center renovation and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport Terminal Lobby Expansion, where disciplined management helped deliver results on budget.
Schedule Predictability
Construction managers develop realistic timelines, use critical path scheduling, and coordinate trades to prevent delays. Fast-track and phased construction can accelerate delivery when appropriate. With 85+ years building in the Southeast, Edison Foard has built a record of on-time delivery across markets—from aviation and transit to education and recreation.
Risk Mitigation & Quality Assurance
Expert oversight of contractors and trades, quality control at every phase, strong safety management, and attention to regulatory compliance help catch issues before they become costly. Our commitment to safety and quality is reflected in industry recognition and long-term client relationships, including over 30 years at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Five Construction Management Delivery Methods Explained
The way you structure the contract—who holds risk, when the builder joins the team, and who contracts with the trades—defines your construction management approach.
Construction Management (Agency CM): The CM acts as the owner’s agent and advisor; the owner contracts directly with trade contractors and the CM does not hold construction risk. Best for sophisticated owners who want control and competitive bidding, often on public work. Cost is typically fee-based.
Construction Management At-Risk (CMAR): The CM guarantees a maximum price (GMP) and holds all trade contracts, often engaging during design to align scope and budget. Best for owners who want cost certainty plus early contractor input; ideal for complex or fast-track projects. Edison Foard’s CMAR approach is collaborative and transparent—we work as building partners committed to excellence and relationships.
Design-Build: One entity is responsible for both design and construction; the owner has one contract and one point of accountability. Best for owners who prioritize speed and simplicity with clear program requirements. Edison Foard offers design-build across transportation, education, government, healthcare, and commercial markets.
Design-Bid-Build (Traditional): Design is completed first, then the project is bid; the owner has separate design and construction contracts. This is best for public projects requiring competitive bid or straightforward projects where complete design before bidding is preferred.
General Contracting: The GC holds the construction contract and manages all subcontractors; preconstruction involvement may be limited. Best for simpler projects with complete design. Edison Foard has served as a trusted general contractor in the Southeast for over 85 years, from education and retail to aviation and industrial work. Choosing the right method depends on your need for cost certainty, schedule speed, owner control, and risk tolerance—something our team can help you evaluate during early planning.
What Construction Managers Do: From Preconstruction to Closeout
Preconstruction sets the foundation: project planning, feasibility, cost estimating, value engineering, constructability review, schedule development, bid packaging, permitting, and contractor selection. Edison Foard’s preconstruction focus is eliminating cost surprises at bid opening—a discipline that benefits clients such as NCDOT, City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the State Construction Office. During design, the CM coordinates the design team, keeps cost in check, performs constructability reviews, identifies long-lead items, and integrates BIM where appropriate to prevent conflicts before they reach the field.
Procurement and bidding involve prequalifying subcontractors, competitive bid solicitation, and contract negotiation. Local market knowledge matters: Edison Foard’s 85+ years of relationships in the Carolinas help secure competitive pricing and reliable trade partners. Through construction, the CM provides site supervision, schedule and quality management, safety programs, change-order evaluation, and meeting facilitation. Common challenges like budget overruns, schedule delays, and quality issues are mitigated by strong estimating, critical path scheduling, and rigorous contractor oversight. At closeout, punch list management, final inspections, warranty documentation, and turnover ensure the owner can operate and maintain the facility with confidence.
How to Choose a Construction Manager
Look for experience and track record in your sector and project type, including years in business, relevant portfolio, and similar size and complexity. Local market knowledge affects codes, permitting, subcontractor availability, and pricing.
Evaluate safety performance like OSHA recordables, safety programs, and training. For diversity and inclusion, ask about MWSBE participation. Edison Foard exceeds minority business participation goals on more than 90% of projects and has been recognized with the 2019 Crowns of Enterprise Prime Contractor of the Year and the Steel Toe Boot Award (General Contractor of the Year, Metrolina Minority Contractor Association).
Key questions to ask: How many similar projects have you completed? Who will be our day-to-day contact? What is your approach to budget and change orders? Can you provide owner references?
Construction Management Across Building Types
Transportation and aviation work involves security, operational constraints, and phasing. Edison Foard has over 30 years of experience working at Charlotte Douglas International Airport—including the Terminal Lobby Expansion and leading Phase I of the Hilton Head Island Airport Terminal improvements. Success in this sector requires detailed pre-construction planning, coordination with airport operations and federal agencies, and proven experience managing logistics in active environments.
Education, government, and municipal projects require tight schedules, minimal disruption, and often competitive bidding and MWSBE participation as well as the ability to deliver large, high-profile public projects. Healthcare, office, industrial, and retail work demands infection control, life safety, tenant coordination, or fast-track delivery; Edison Foard’s portfolio also includes healthcare, office/industrial, and retail projects across the Carolinas.
Why Building Owners Choose Edison Foard
Edison Foard brings 85+ years of proven excellence as a third-generation family business, deep Carolinas relationships for competitive pricing and quality trades, and an experienced team—many members with 20+ years at the company. We offer preconstruction, CM, CM at-risk, design-build, and design-bid-build tailored to your project, with safety leadership and diversity commitment that exceed MWSBE goals on 90%+ of projects. Our philosophy—built on values, driven by relationships, committed to excellence—shapes how we coordinate with owners, architects, and trade partners from the first meeting through project closeout. Some of our major successes include the Charlotte Convention Center ($126.9M), Airport Terminal Lobby Expansion, and Hilton Head Island Airport improvements. Jack Christine, COO at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, has noted Edison Foard’s commitment to MWSBE participation and long-standing relationships; airport stakeholders have cited the team’s collaboration, integrity, and delivery on-time and under budget. Edison Cassels was named one of Charlotte’s Most Admired CEOs in 2024
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
A construction manager often acts as the owner’s advisor and may or may not hold trade contracts (agency CM vs. CM at-risk). A general contractor typically holds one contract with the owner and subcontracts all work. The CM role emphasizes advocacy and early involvement; the GC role emphasizes execution of a defined scope.
Consider CM when the project is large, complex, phased, or fast-track; when you want early input on cost and constructability; or when you prefer a single point of accountability and expert oversight without carrying execution risk alone.
No. The architect remains responsible for design; the CM focuses on cost, schedule, constructability, and coordination. They work together as part of the owner’s team.
A GMP is a ceiling price the construction manager or contractor guarantees not to exceed (subject to defined allowances and change orders). It gives the owner budget certainty and often allows shared savings if the project is completed under the GMP.
In agency CM, the CM advises, and the owner holds trade contracts. In CM at-risk (CMAR), the CM guarantees a GMP and holds the trade contracts, assuming construction performance risk. CMAR is chosen when owners want cost certainty and single-point responsibility while still benefiting from early CM involvement.
Conclusion
Successful construction projects don’t happen by accident—they result from professional management, experienced teams, and relationships built on decades of trust. Construction management services give building owners the structure and expertise to control cost, schedule, and quality while focusing on their mission.
Edison Foard has served the Southeast for over 85 years as a construction manager and general contractor. We offer preconstruction, CM, CM at-risk, design-build, and design-bid-build across transportation and aviation, education, government and municipal, healthcare, and commercial sectors. The right delivery method and the right partner make the difference between projects that exceed expectations and those that drift over budget and behind schedule.
For building owners planning a construction or renovation project, Edison Foard brings the expertise, local market knowledge, and proven track record necessary to deliver successful outcomes. Professional CM typically yields measurable value: competitive bidding and value engineering often reduce costs versus poorly managed projects, while schedule discipline and proactive problem-solving help avoid delays that drive up financing and opportunity cost. The right partner makes that difference visible from preconstruction through closeout.
Learn more about our work or contact us to discuss your project.
