Construction managers are crucial in building homes, offices, roads, and other projects. They oversee workers, supplies, and schedules, ensuring everything is completed on time and within budget. For those wondering how to become a construction manager, it takes a combination of education, experience, certification, and excellent leadership and time-management skills.
Quick look
- Construction managers oversee projects from start to finish, including timelines, workers, safety, budgets, and materials.
- Construction managers are responsible for quality control, safety, communication with stakeholders, budgets and scheduling, site safety, and problem-solving.
- Construction managers require various skills, including leadership, time management, attention to detail, and construction knowledge.
- Average annual salaries range from $80,000-$150,000.
What is a construction manager?
A construction manager oversees building projects from start to finish. They ensure that work is done efficiently, supplies and materials are readily available in the right quantities, and they handle any day-to-day problem-solving. Construction managers work on various projects, including residential housing developments, office buildings, bridges, and infrastructure.
What are the responsibilities of a construction manager?
Construction managers take on several different responsibilities to keep a project running smoothly. These include:
- Budget and scheduling: Construction managers track expenses to prevent projects from exceeding budgets. They also create schedules to ensure work is completed on time and adjust timelines if delays occur.
- Quality control: Construction managers make sure that all work on each build meets industry standards and complies with building codes. They check that everything is being built correctly, review completed work, and ensure materials are of good quality.
- Communication: Construction managers act as point people for each project, communicating with clients, workers, engineers, and architects to ensure everything runs smoothly. Construction managers also communicate essential updates to everyone involved with the project.
- Employee safety: Safety is a top priority on every construction site. Construction managers help to enforce safety regulations, ensure safety compliance and appropriate PPE, and conduct regular safety briefings.
- Problem-solving: Construction projects face many unforeseen events, from weather delays to supply-chain issues to labor shortages. Effective construction managers can think quickly to solve problems as they arise and keep projects on track.
Skills required to become a construction manager
To manage the many responsibilities of a construction manager, you need a combination of leadership skills, practical strengths, and technical abilities.
- Leadership: Making essential decisions and overseeing workers, timelines, and budgets require strong leadership skills.
- Time management: It requires strong time management skills to keep track of multiple timelines and schedules for labor, trades, project phases, and deliverables.
- Problem-solving: Construction managers must have strong problem-solving skills to quickly and effectively address on-site problems.
- Attention to detail: Building projects involve hundreds of moving parts, and construction managers must be on top of them. Attention to detail is essential for performing this role safely and effectively.
- Communication: Construction managers need solid communication skills to keep everyone informed and on the same page, updated, and safe.
- Construction knowledge: Great construction managers know the industry inside and out, ideally from multiple levels and roles. A wealth of construction knowledge is key to success.
4 steps to become a construction manager
Although it’s possible to work your way up the ladder and into a construction manager role, most positions require a combination of education and experience. How long does it take to become a construction manager? The answer depends on what programs you take. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved.
1. Education
The first step to becoming a construction manager is obtaining a degree in construction management, construction technology, engineering, or a related field. These programs include courses in construction materials and technology, bid planning, project management, leadership, and other crucial skills that will help you in your future role.
Some universities and colleges offer these as two- or four-year degree programs, while others provide master’s degrees.
2. Experience
Hands-on experience is crucial in construction management. You’ll most likely begin in entry-level construction roles, gaining the skills, knowledge, and expertise you’ll use on the job. You may be able to work as a construction manager assistant, allowing you to get a close-up look at the day-to-day tasks involved in the role.
3. Supervisor
Working as a site supervisor can help you gain some of the leadership skills and oversight abilities you’ll rely on to become an effective construction manager. This position allows you to step into management positions without bearing the entire scope of responsibility required from a construction manager. As a site supervisor, you’ll begin to manage workers and hone your decision-making and problem-solving style while getting to know the ins and outs of site operations.
4. Certification
While certification isn’t always required, it can provide valuable education and give you a leg up on the competition when applying for construction manager roles. Relevant certifications include:
- Certified Construction Manager
- Associate Constructor
- Gold Seal Certification
- Project Management Competence Certification
Types of projects for a construction manager
Construction managers can work on a wide range of projects. Civil construction projects involve crucial infrastructure like roads, bridges, and airports; industrial projects include power plants, factories, and manufacturing facilities; residential construction builds homes, apartments, and condos; being the construction manager with commercial construction requires overseeing the building of offices, restaurants, and shopping centers.
Construction manager salary
The salary for construction managers varies based on experience, location, and project size. Here’s what construction managers typically earn:
- United States: $80,000-150,000 annually, with an average salary of $104,900
- Canada: $73,000-$130,000 annually, with an average salary of $90,000
Tips for success in being a construction manager
Build strong relationships
Building strong working relationships and networking skills will help you as a construction manager. The construction industry is small, and it’s a good idea to maintain connections with clients, suppliers, and workers to create better job opportunities.
Continue learning
Your education doesn’t need to stop when you get your degree or certification. An effective construction manager must stay on top of industry trends and constantly commit to learning, training, and improving.
Keep safety first
While managing timelines, schedules, and budgets is crucial to being a construction manager, people should always come first. Always prioritize safety regulations to protect yourself and your team and avoid preventable accidents and injuries.
Bottom line
A career in construction management can be challenging and rewarding. By gaining education, experience, and certifications, you can manage large construction projects and make your mark in the industry.
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