How much can you expect to earn as a construction manager? 
Back in May 2020, the average wage for construction project managers was right around $100,000. However, the higher 10% can easily earn over $160,000.  
There’s no doubt about it though; construction management is a demanding field. But we’re here to help! By following the tips in this guide, you’ll be able to set yourself up for a prosperous career. 
Read on to learn the complete guide for construction management. 

A Daily Guide for Construction Management 

Are you thinking about going into construction management? Another name for the management role includes project managers and general contractors. 
What exactly do construction managers do? It’s up to them to perform all sorts of duties to make sure the onsite construction activities go as smoothly as possible. 
For instance, it’ll be the general contractor’s job to prepare all of the cost estimates, work timetables, and budgets. They’ll also need to be great at communicating. 
Collaboration and Communication 
As a project manager, it’ll be up to you to relay complex details about different contracts. You’ll have to relay the information to other professionals in a way that makes sense so you can get the materials and help you need. 
For instance, construction project managers spend a lot of their time collaborating with architects and engineers. Working together, they can design some of the most exciting buildings and layouts. It will be up to the manager to pick all of the subcontractors and make sure they have the right schedules. 
By coordinating the subcontractors in an efficient manner, you might be able to save money on the overall project cost! Construction project managers love saving money whenever they can find the opportunity. 
Another one of the ways they do this is by closely monitoring projects and reporting their progress to the supervisors. By staying on top of each milestone, it’ll be easy for construction project managers to adjust the project budget as needed. 
Finally, when it comes to legal requirements, you can bet that project managers are going to be called upon again. Project managers are responsible for making sure all of the correct permits are pulled, as well as double-checking the insurance policies. 

Managing Construction Expectations 

As a construction or project manager, are you going to have an office? It’s possible, but it won’t always be the case. Managers typically have some type of the main office. 
However, you can plan on spending a lot of your time on site. If you want to be able to monitor the projects and report their progress adequately, then you have to be on the front lines. 
You also need to be present on-site to help other managers make important decisions about the daily activities. In some situations, you might find yourself managing construction sites at multiple locations. That means you’re going to have to be incredibly organized. 
You’ll need a meticulous filing system so that you don’t confuse one project’s paperwork with another’s. In some situations, the sites might be very far away from each other. 
For instance, you might have one construction site in one state and another one in a completely different state. Prepare to be away from home for long periods of time. 
Expect a Rigorous Schedule 
As far as your work schedule goes, you’ll probably be working at least 40 hours a week. However, it’s likely that you’ll be working over 40 hours a week to keep up with construction deadlines. You might even be on call 24 hours a day. 
On-call project managers have to be available to help with any type of project emergency. To prepare for a demanding schedule, we suggest implementing a nighttime and morning routine now. By getting your body used to going to sleep and waking up at the same time, you’ll be able to have the most energy throughout the day.   

Tips for Managing a Construction Company 

Properly managing a construction company means learning how to communicate like a pro. Effective communication is probably one of the most important skills you’ll need to learn. 
Remember, you’re going to need to communicate complex ideas to other people involved in your project. You’ll also need to be able to communicate to the workers who are carrying out the project details. It’d be a good idea to invest in the best software for managing construction accounts. 
Establish Communication Plans 
We suggest establishing a thorough communication plan to decide how you communicate for different circumstances. For instance, you should implement a chain of command for different types of information. Certain information should only be shared with certain individuals. 
For instance, let’s say that there’s an important change order. Instead of passing off the information of a change verbally, you should implement a paper trail method. Instruct workers to use an email to notify others of change orders; that way, everyone can be on the same page.  
Time Management 
Another great way to manage your team is by only tackling one problem at a time. As we mentioned earlier, you might be managing multiple projects. 
Don’t try to take everything on at once. Multitasking isn’t something you should try to master. Instead, learn to become a master at prioritizing issues. Work on problems in a way that works for you. 
Eventually, you’ll find your own pace that works for your construction deadlines. It’s also important you’re taking time off in the evenings to rest and recharge, don’t burn out! 

Be an Amazing Construction Manager 

Being a construction manager means having the opportunity to minimize workplace hazards while also increasing revenue. It’ll be up to you to keep everybody on the right path, which can make being a manager incredibly demanding. 
If you think you have the patience and organizational skills that it takes to be a successful project manager, then you should give it a try. Start looking for entry-level opportunities near you, or consider going back to school for a construction management degree. For more ways to pave a bright future for yourself, check out the rest of our website.