What Do Construction Managers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Construction Managers plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing. They also confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.

Other tasks include:

• Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
• Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
• Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
• Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
• Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with environmental regulations.
• Plan, organize, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.

We asked Construction Managers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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74% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 58% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Construction Managers direct and supervise construction or related workers. They confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.

A typical day for a Construction Manager will also include:

• Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
• Plan, organize, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.
• Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
• Requisition supplies or materials to complete construction projects.
• Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.

We asked some Construction Managers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	96% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	56% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	68% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	16% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	29% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Construction Managers also prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports. They may also interpret and explain plans and contract terms to representatives of the owner or developer, including administrative staff, workers, or clients.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Construction Managers Prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors. They might also Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.

In addition, they Implement new or modified plans in response to delays, bad weather, or construction site emergencies.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.

To some Construction Managers, it is also their responsibility to Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with environmental regulations.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Construction Manager, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/construction-managers.htm

http://www.acce-hq.org/

http://www.professionalconstructor.org/

http://www.cmaanet.org/